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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  Hybrid Rules! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By coolbird - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! Its sporty, saves a lot on gas, and is fun to drive. My other vehicle is a Durango so I refer to the Civic as the "Anti-Durango". I have driven the Hybrid over 15,000 miles in 10 months. I feel comfortable in this car.

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  lemon nightmare - 2003 Honda Accord
  By struppi - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Major problems with transmission after 10000 miles. Sunroof relay switch broke. Doorknob broke. Dash storage compartment broke. LOUD squeaky brake after 12000 miles. Will get rid of this lemon before warranty is up!

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  2003 honda accord ex - 2003 Honda Accord
  By aznpnoi - September 27 - 2:00 am

  The brakes feels and sounds likes its grinding even after 5-10 minutes after you warm it up. The dealer ship technician says its normal but its way feels and sounds different compared to other cars especially its a 2003 car. and the dealership wanted me to pay $80.00 for them to check it out completely.

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  good value - 2004 Honda Accord
  By physics teacher - September 27 - 2:00 am

  After almost a year of research I settled on the Accord EX-V6. I drove the I-30, ES300, Camry XLE, Avalon XLS, and Maxima. The Accord was the best value for me. I like it better every day. The high horsepower, regular fuel, the fuel economy, and low emissions capped it for me. Along with wanting to support Honda for having the most fuel efficient car line. I have had two minor defects, a bad weld that buzzed at certain RPMs and a bad CD case door. Both were fixed quickly and the dealer was very professional. I love the interior comfort and controls, very ergonomic.

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  great car,not so good on gas millage - 2004 Honda Accord
  By pete demetriou - September 27 - 2:00 am

  great car,roomy,nice options, poor fuel millage

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  Wolf in sheeps clothing - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Don Geeze - September 27 - 2:00 am

  This is not an Accord--its a Prelude on steroids! As fast as my Vette, and a lot more fun to drive. Beautiful Honda engineering under the hood. Ergonomics OK--radio controls a little odd. Already has rattle in headliner. Interior features not as good as Camry Solara, but close. Ride far stiffer than any Honda Ive ever driven, but comfortable enough, and stiff suspension translates into incredible cornering. Also very practical--roomy and gets good gas mileage.

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  Another Honda - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Lexington Linda - September 27 - 2:00 am

  After driving around 7 different cars we ended up with another Honda. This time we bought an Accord EX. My husband and I were both surprised on the "extras" that came standard on this car. He was looking for leather and I wanted the sunroof. We were also surprised with the amount of legroom you have in the back seat. We were looking for something sporty, but had to go with the 4 door due to having a son. I think the 4 door still looks sporty. My last car was an Accord also and we never had any trouble. We are hoping that Honda continues to have the reliablity we have come to expect.

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  This SUV might kill you. - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By JeromyW - September 26 - 6:33 pm

  I hope it doesnt. In fact I hope you read this, avoid buying the 2016 (or 17) Honda Pilot, and avoid the same mistake our family made. When my wife and I test drove the 2016 Honda Pilot we were not terribly impressed with its acceleration but that was not why we were looking at a new Honda. We were looking for something reliable and Honda has had a great track record in that regard. So, even though we were not over the moon about the Pilot when we test drove it, we thought this is going to last 10+ years and is, therefore, a wise purchase. Boy, were we wrong! One problem with the Honda Pilot is the 9 speed transmission. My 1972 Chevelle shifts smoother than this. When you drop this Honda in drive first thing in the morning, the first-second gear shift will try to separate a few vertebrae... it is brutal. Once warmed up, this transmission is better, but still not so good. Especially in stop and go traffic where you will experience many times where the transmission seems completely out of touch with the throttle, leading to "rev rev rev... wham!". You *will* need a chiropractor if you have to drive in stop and go traffic with this machine. Also, this transmission has a history of early failure already. However, that transmission wont be the thing that kills you. The Honda Sensing system will. Lets say that you are on a highway going 70 mph when someone going 20 mph slower than you pulls out 3 car lengths in front of you. In that situation our Honda Pilot will SLAM on the brakes HARD causing anyone behind us to weave desperately into the adjoining lane or shoulder to keep from hitting us in the rear. Or lets say that you are going around a bend on a country road, the Honda Sensing system gets confused and again SLAMS on the breaks in the middle of hard bend. Lets say you survive the Honda Sensing system... will you be able to survive the throttle? Lets say you are in stopped trying to turn left across rapidly moving traffic. You need your car to move when you step on the gas. The Honda Pilot will occasionally toss in a 5-7 second delay in response time, just to add to the challenge. Did I mention the $200 oil changes? This is because, in our case, about the time we needed to change the oil, the "B16" code would be thrown on the info system, indicating that the rear diff also needed to be changed. This prompted the service manager at our local Honda shop to exclaim, "what is wrong with these new Pilots?!"

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  My first hybrid - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Wes Trayner - September 26 - 6:13 pm

  After hearing all of the hoopla about hybrid cars, I decided to turn in a gas guzzler for a Honda Civic Hybrid. The car performs well at all speeds and handles a rides as one would expect of a quality compact car. Do not expect it to be first off the line at a stop light but it is not sluggish. My first tank of gasoline got me 37.2 mpg (city) the second tank got 38.4 with each tank getting slightly more. The last tank got 42.3 and time will tell what the car will eventually level out at. The gauges available for viewing on the dash are very helpfull in learning to get the best from the car. Overall, I really like this car.

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  I love toast!! - 2005 Honda Element
  By lstallberg - September 26 - 5:08 pm

  This is without a doubt the coolest vehicle I have ever owned!! I had not even seen the inside of one until the day I bought it. I bought the 2nd one I drove. It has a ton of room, great response for a 4 cyl engine, and a lot of cool features.