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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  Uncomfortable Seats - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Steve - September 19 - 3:26 am

  The seats in my 2009 Honda Accord are so uncomfortable that I am going to sell the car after owning the car for only 8 months. Honda of America is not interested in helping me find a solution.

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  Honda Civic - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Ray Andrews - September 18 - 10:06 am

  I love to drive this car. The ride is very good for a small car and the gas mileage is excellent, 32 in town and 38 miles to the gallon on the road. Also very little noise on the inside.

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  This car is DANGEROUS! Worst software ever! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By NoLongerAFan - September 18 - 7:16 am

  1) Left my wife stranded -- Put the car in reverse, foot on brake, not moving, then pressed the stop button. Car locked her out and wouldnt start. Had to mess with locks and start button for 30 minutes before the car reset itself. 2) Transmission is UNSAFE! -- 9 speed cant find the right gear, car stutters, will LAUNCH you downhill. Low speed driving is terrible, cant maintain a constant speed. Seems like really bad software making gear decisions. 3) Lane assist is DANGEROUS! -- Cant help you at all, will not hold the lane. Hey Honda, either you steer or I steer, but whoever is steering better be really good at it. Steering is NOT a cooperative activity! Dont "assist" me with steering unless it can be trusted. 4) So many little software problems. Remembers the seat position incorrectly. 5) Worst entertainment center ever. Seems designed in 1998. Cant use the nav while moving, seriously? I can mess with the radio all day, using the most confusing and distracting software ever devised, but I cant use the nav? 6) The car Dings at uss constantly and randomly. Its trying to tell us something, I have no idea what it is saying. DING .. wait a few minutes -- DING! Who wrote the software for this car, my kids could have done a better job!

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  Great all around car - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Honda Lover - September 18 - 1:32 am

  This car is an all around great car. I get great gas mileage, and still have a car with enought power to accelerate pass other drivers on the interstate. The leather heated seats, moonroof,6 disc cd player, xm radio, steering wheel audio controls, and six airbags are just some of the perks that are standard in the EX model. I own the coupe model and the majority of my friends are 6ft plus tall. They all fit comfortably in the back seat. Aesthetically the care looks terrific. All in all, a great all-around vehicle.

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  Accord Hybrid - New Owners Impressions - 2005 Honda Accord
  By moretoolife - September 18 - 1:20 am

  My objective was to complete all negotiating before I walked into the dealer. I researched the Accord hybrid online and sent e-mails to all local dealers indicating interest to buy when one arrived. Several e-mailed me as they arrived but werent keen on discounting off of sticker. One dealer was willing to sell the car at $1,000 off sticker, if I closed before the end of December. I test-drove the car at that dealer and after about 2 minutes in the car I was sold. I received my Accord hybrid on New Years eve 2004. I have just turned over 1000 miles and my satisfaction has not waned. It is unbelievably quiet, and will really get up and go when asked. No squeaks or rattles.

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  Honda CRV:better than expected - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Enrique Ospina - September 18 - 12:43 am

  I was very skeptical when we bough this vehicle, it was need more that desire. It has turned out to be a great vehicle, lots of room, easy to drive, comfortable front and back. the only ackward thing is the gear shift:it interferes all the time with the windshield wipers

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  Not so great - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Jenny - September 17 - 8:42 pm

  Our family has leased a new Honda Pilot every 3 years since 2003.Our current lease is up and we went to get a new Pilot. Needless to say, we did not like the redesigned Pilot. Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of improvements to the new Pilot, but the overall style is more of a minivan than an SUV. The quality of materials is significantly better than our current 2012 Pilot and we like the captain chairs. The one button to move the middle seats is very easy and the camera in the passenger side mirror is very cool! The ventilated front seats are comfortable. What we did not care for is the minivan style flip down arm rests on the front seats and touch screen audio system. You can see every finger print on the screen. Our Acura also has the touch screen audio and the fingerprints never go away. It drives me crazy! The touch screen is bit more labor intensive to change the station or volume, so you will be more distracted from the road and traffic. There are controls on the steering wheel for some functions though. Our Acura also has push button start and both my husband and I would prefer an actual key. It is very easy to leave the car running, especially how quiet cars are today. The push button transmission selector is in a really bad location. I have visions of a beverage mishap and a very expensive repair to follow. Why the transmission selector is electronic and not mechanical is also a concern. The visibility is very good from the driver’s seat and the ride is awesome. The engine start-stop is something I would have to get used to, although. I really don’t see the saving as the mpg is rated the same as what we get in our 2012 Pilot. The steering and handling on the new Pilot is a huge disappointment. The steering is weak with a weird bottom heavy feel and it is slow to respond. The steering does not feel substantial enough to handle a vehicle of that size and weight. Needless to say it is very unnatural and not something I would want to deal with every day. The new Pilot has significant body roll on right hand turns, but seemed to be Ok turning left. If you take your turns at a snail’s pace, it might not roll as much. I am also not fond of the exterior styling. It screams “Me To” as it looks like an expanded CRV. We have been driving Honda’s and Acura’s for a very long time and have been satisfied and loyal customers, we are now looking at other manufacturers for our next SUV.

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  Not what we expected from a Honda - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Kevin W. - September 17 - 7:06 pm

  We bought this car new and it was good for about 50k miles. First problem was that the front door locks simply stopped working. Then the cheap plastic parts in the interior started breaking. Then a problem with the VTEC system. A mechanic said that dirt had prevented the extra set of valves from engaging when the engine needed more power. We were not doing any heavy duty off-road driving, so that was strange. Now, like other readers, our throttle sensor has gone out and it is going to set us back $900 to replace the whole unit. Im sorry, but this is not why we bought a "reliable" Honda. Seems like the company is coasting on its reputation and Im not enthusiastic about buying one again.

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  Just buy one! - 2004 Honda Element
  By TUAN - September 17 - 5:07 pm

  i have had mine for just about three years now and have used it for just about everything from camping, snowboarding, moving, and just hauling stuff. Like most folks, I wasnt a fan until I sat inside one. It really is that roomy in there. The seating configurations make it so it can handle just about anything. This car has never given me any problems and is still really fun to drive. Mine was a manual so it drove and handled even more like a car than an suv. The horsepower and torque is exellent for this size car. I still skirt the tires all the time! (this never happened with my 2000 Civic EX)

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  In Love - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Jacksonville - September 17 - 3:00 pm

  We traded our piece of junk 2002 Ford Explorer for this car and we are in love. It is roomy and sturdy. Great for a Mom with two little active boys. It drives great and you feel as if you are driving a car even though you are up high. Cupholders everywhere!Third row seat roomier than the Explorer. Weve had this car for 1 1/2 years and we are still in love! Bought it new.