Overview & Reviews

Why are Honda vehicles so highly regarded by American drivers? Certainly, their excellent reputation for reliability and quality is a major factor. But it also has to do with the overall driving and owning experience. Read any Honda review and you'll likely notice common themes such as thoughtful design, a friendly nature, better-than-average fuel economy and attention to safety.

Japan-based Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its start making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and fuel-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for an inexpensive, fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda's first motorcycles mated engines with bicycles to create a motorbike that was cheap to make and operate.

Honda's bikes quickly evolved into vehicles far more sophisticated than small engines stuck into bicycle frames. The manufacturer's 1949 D-Type could reach speeds of up to 50 mph, and offered front and rear suspension. The 1950s saw the launch of the successful Juno scooter, built to steal market share from the Vespa knockoffs that were popular in Japan at that time. In the latter part of that decade, Honda introduced the ultra-successful C100 Super Cub. The motorbike was remarkably easy to operate and featured a crossbar-free frame that made it popular with women. It went on to become the first Honda motorbike sold in the U.S. via then-new American Honda Co. in 1959.

By the early 1960s, Honda had built its first automobiles for the Japanese home market and entered Formula One racing. But it wasn't until 1970 that it exported its first car, the diminutive N600, to the U.S. The automaker initially had a hard time sparking interest among American buyers, but that all changed in 1973 with the introduction of the Civic. The car was larger than Honda's previous models even though it was still very petite compared to compact American cars. The Civic's high fuel efficiency (an important selling point given that decade's energy crisis) and affordability made it Honda's first American success story. By 1976, the Civic had been joined by the Accord, which quickly became a favorite with U.S. consumers as well.

By the 1980s, Honda's success and its reputation as a maker of well-built reliable cars and motorcycles continued to grow. It began building Accords in the U.S. in 1982 and by 1989 had earned the distinction of making America's most popular car. This was also the decade in which Honda created the Acura brand as a way to sell more upscale and luxurious vehicles. Throughout this decade and into the 1990s, the Civic and Accord were huge sellers and considered class benchmarks. Also during this time, Honda continued to innovate through such technologies as variable valve timing, aluminum body construction and improved safety features.

Today, Honda's lineup runs the gamut. Included are fuel-sipping hybrids, a spacious minivan, reliable family sedans, practical SUVs and even a pickup. Although the latest Civic and Accord aren't quite the benchmarks they once were for their respective classes, Honda's brand as a whole continues to be one of the most well respected in the industry, with millions of loyal and satisfied customers.

User Reviews:

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  My baby since 1995!!!! - 1993 Honda Accord
  By Mylia - March 14 - 2:34 pm

  I love, Love, LOVE my 1993 Honda Accord EX 2-door coupe! I bought her in 1995, so I am her 2nd owner....but I still consider that I am her only owner. This has been the best and most reliable car I ever owned. She has just over 220,000 miles (200,000 driven by me) and has had only minor repairs over the years. Biggest things were timing belt, radiator, and brakes. Most parts are still the original. I cant say enough about how great this model year was (and still is). Her beauty on the road still holds up among all the "new model" babes out there. People are always commenting to me about how good she looks!

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  A hybrid you can keep your man card with! - 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Ed - March 14 - 9:05 am

  Leased this car off the lot when they couldnt give them away due to gas prices. I wasnt looking for a hybrid but the dashboard and instruments sold me. Its the base model but the dashboard is well thought out. No center needle to get in the way and it tells you what you need to know. One reviewer posted he couldnt change the radio stations to other than presets well you can you just hold the direction arrow and it seeks. It would be nice if they heater controls were on the wheel but oh well. Driving this car is a breeze actually let me rephrase it hauls ass. Getting on the freeway it goes from 30 to 70 right now. Sure theres a little engine noise but so what. Passing from 60-70 to 90 happens at a rate not expected in a 4 door 4 cylinder that makes your neighbors think you are frugal. This car actually held the record for longest trip on a tank of gas and I have come close. I drive from Nebraska to Michigan quite often and have clocked almost 600 miles on a tank several times and its a 14 gallon tank. Its one of the few new cars of that year that dont turn the headlight off when you turn on your signal, and the HIDs are amazing in the middle of nowhere. I have owned mostly performance cars and I have to say this one is quite possibly the perfect commute car. Now the bad parts. When steering under full acceleration the designers made the steering way to sensitive. It feels like you are steering from the top of the tires and its very touchy. If you live in a hot climate turn off ECO mode in the summer. The AC Compressor will cycle at idle in order to be more efficient and that cuts down on the cooling. The trunk is small a couple of larger carry ons and a gym bag are about the limit. The electric motor torque does not do it any favors on the OE tires leaving a stoplight in wet or snowy conditions there is a lot of wheel spin and cutout from the traction control kicking on and off. Its a car you have to adjust to driving just like any other but its also a 4 door hybrid that destroys most other cars to 40 from a stoplight including the CIVIC SI of the same year. I dont write reviews often but this car is actually worth the money I am paying. Its been a great car, has only been to the shop for the recall on the battery shutdown that was mentioned and in the spring and fall I am crushing the EPA Estimates. Winter the motor runs to heat the cabin and that does impact the efficiency as does the cold battery. Summer well I like AC so at 75MPH cruising with the AC set on ALASKA I am only getting about 48 MPG on my highway commute to work. Yeah you read that right plus did I mention its not a prius?

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  Finally an SUV for everyone - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By Roger - March 14 - 2:16 am

  This is the fourth Honda Ive owned and will be back for more. It was purchased for my wife and she absolutely loves it. The AWD has saved us many times in rain, snow, mud, etc. The cargo area is extremely large for such a small SUV. The fit an finish is much superior to that of the Ford/Mazda SUV. Quality interior and exterior, excellent engine (although a tad underpowered) and powertrain. Can not say enough good things about this vehicle. As long as you do routine maintainence this vehicle will last you a very long time.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Honda Element
  By Elephant - March 14 - 12:56 am

  This car is awesome in many ways. Lots of room for anything, and very well thought out. All the benefits of a larger SUV, with few trade offs.

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  2009 Honda Civic Hybrid - 2009 Honda Civic
  By redflame - March 13 - 7:43 pm

  Best car purchase of my life x2. Had a civic back in 1995 - 2002 and loved it. Im so glad Honda came out with the hybrid. Looks a lot better than the Prius. I already have fallen in love with this car with 40+ mpg. Living 50 miles from my job helps me to save at the pump. This was the major buying factor for me other than I have always liked Hondas products.

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  Best investment ever! - 2005 Honda Civic
  By DFarrell - March 13 - 12:20 pm

  with gas prices going out of control the best investment I made was purchasing a hybrid. Normally I would got to the gastation once a week to fill up the gas tank, now I go to the gas station every 2 weeks to fill my tank. Oil changes were every 3 months are now every 6 months. You cant beat that!

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  Best value out there - 2008 Honda Accord
  By stealthy - March 13 - 12:06 pm

  Gets 29 mpg highway and does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds on regular unleaded! Steering is extremely accurate and allows you to feel whats going on with the road much better than Altima which had a loose and disconnected feeling. This car is bigger than i would have liked. Too bad they couldnt keep same size of previous generation accord. Seems like cars from all manufacturers are getting bigger these days though. Forgetting about size, the overall design has really grown on me. Has a chiseled look, they placed the sharp cut angles in some well chosen spots. I have had quite a few compliments from strangers. It is amazing how much room this car has though.

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  Pilot rocks after 12,00 miles - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By desert rat - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Hey there, Have had the Pilot since June 8th. Have about 12,000 miles on mine now and have driven it over 200 miles on dirt roads.. Performs quite well... Drove 56 miles of of washboard roads in Death Valley drove quite nicely.. ALong with some sandy roads... Plenty of leg room for me being 61" tall.. Also, can sleep in the back when out camping if to lazy to setup a tent...Has pelnty of power and interior deesign works with all controls laid out...

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  Love it. - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By skrmom - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Waited since June for SageBrush Pearl- worth the wait. Wanted Honda reliability but couldnt take driving another minivan. Will keep this one for a long time (our Accord is still going strong 11 years and 175,000 miles later). Bought over Internet for 2000 under MSPR- threw in some free accessories too.

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  Super Commuter - 1997 Honda Accord
  By LStrick - March 12 - 11:59 pm

  Love my Honda LX 4dr 5spd. Bought it at 13,000 miles, now have 260,000!!! commute 90 miles one way to work 5 days a week, from high desert Antelope Valley CA over a mountain and down a long freeway into Pomona CA. Gas mileage avg 27 highway at 75 to 80 mph! Blew a seal on FWY at 120,000 miles, repair expensive but COVERED by extended warranty. Power to pass going UPHILL is great! Doesnt corner worth 2 cents, so Angeles Crest to work is short cut, but everbody passes me because Im slow on the canyon curves. Otherwise outstanding car.