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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  Very safe suv!!! - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By THelliwell - August 15 - 10:03 pm

  Our Honda Pilot saved my wifes life, she recently had a VERY serious freeway crash (hit center devider wall head-on at 65 mph.) and walked away with only a sprained wrist!!! The airbags worked perfectly and the front end crush zone took most of the impact. Our Pilot was a total loss and we will be getting a 2005 soon. We love this SUV!!!

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  Good Little SUV - 2007 Honda Element
  By John - August 15 - 8:46 pm

  I bought my 2007 Honda Element EX in May, 2007, and Ive put about 3,000 miles on it so far. Its run fine with no problems. The 166 HP engine is smooth and peppy, but it isnt going to win any drag races. Fuel economy around town is only about 18 mpg, but Ive been getting 29-30 mpg on the highway. This car is great for hauling my eight-year old son and his gear and is great for hauling my bicycle to rides. I dont have to take the front wheel off. I just fold one of the rear seats up on the side of the car and throw my bike in the back. The front seats are comfortable and firm. Plenty of head room (Im 62"). Plenty of leg room in the back seat, too.

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  Great SUV with Bad MPG - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Joe - August 15 - 8:33 pm

  This truck was a great value. There was a $2000 rebate when I bought and no other truck could compete with for features at the price. Ive had the truck for a few months (2200 miles). The truck drives great and the interior is beautiful (big and comfortable). The exterior is boxy, but not bad. The only negative is the MPG. I read the reviews and knew it wasnt going to be great (I was expecting 15-17 mpg). I dont drive in the city and I only get 14 MPG.

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  Should have... - 2003 Honda Accord
  By BRL - August 15 - 6:38 pm

  My wife and I bought a new 2004 Honda Odyssey which now has 53000 miles with no maintenance but oil changes. When I decided to trade my 2000 Mercury Mystique LS with 80000 miles, I found out that there was not trade-in value and that I probably could have/should have bought a Honda Accord back then. When I got into this 2003 Accord LX and drove it, I knew this was the car for me. I really enjoy driving this car-smooth ride, great handling, great workmanship

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  crappy sound - 2016 Honda Fit
  By dan - August 15 - 3:49 pm

  I leased a honda 2016 fit last month. The storage capability is great. However, my biggest complaint is the manufacturers sound system. Granted, this is the lower-end version, but it just plainly sounds horrible!! From the ancient knob-based search for radio stations to the just plain horrible bad-transistor radio speakers, it makes me want to shove needles in my ears to stop the aural pain! No matter if I play my cds, or use my ipod or cell phone through the aux jack, it makes great-sounding recordings sound awful! I cant take it anymore! Im going to have that crappy sound system (and Im being kind calling it that) removed and go to a Big Box store and get a decent one put in. Ill put the crappy one in a box and have it re-installed when it has to be returned.

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  Sensing Package is NOT worth the money - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Beth S. - August 15 - 10:38 am

  I WISH I had test driven this model with the sensing package for a longer period of time before buying. I own that, its my fault. BUT, word to the wise. If you use your cruise control a lot, like I do, DO NOT get the sensing package. Unless there is some way to turn off the crash mitigation control for Cruise Control, which I have not found yet, then I would never never never buy this package. With Cruise Control, the driver can specify three separate distances in front of you for the space between you and they next car, but you cannot turn the "distance" meter Off completely, and THIS sucks! Say youre cruising along at 80 in the left hand lane of a wide open freeway, and the car in the right lane in front of you decides to pull into your lane 4-5 car lengths ahead of you. Even with the shortest of "distance" meter available to you in the sensing package, that car which pulled into your lane waaaayyy the heck up there will cause YOUR car to slam on its breaks. A car pulled in front of me this morning and immediately began accelerating, however, the second my car sensed it moving into my lane, it began to brake, and HARD brake! The car behind me almost rear-ended me because my car braked all by itself and without warning. Do not confuse this with the regular "crash mitigation" option, which DOES have a button to turn it off. I am speaking specifically on the Cruise Control crash mitigation control, which so far, I have not been able to figure out how to turn it off. And it sucks!

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  It was totalled - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Louis - August 15 - 10:36 am

  The Pilot EX was a total joy to drive until the tire pressure sensor simply has its own mind after 1 yr. But its not the worst. Handling-wise it is OK. In snowy, icy and heavy rain condition, however, I only get 70% control of the car when driving 35 miles per hour. I consistently got overtaken by other cars as I drove on interstate. Different tires, same result. The worst: The vehicle simply lost control when I was avoiding an aggressive pass-on-the-right Subaru. My Pilot skated around on the (dry) interstate a few seconds at 60mph until it rolled over into the embankment and totalled. None of the airbags went off for no explanation. I was lucky to survive it.

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  Vibration - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By zelma butts - August 15 - 2:40 am

  We bought this van because of the ratings that it was given. We have had trouble with the van vibrating at different speeds. Dealer is trying to help but so far 0. Will keep trying until dealer gets tired of us bringing the van back then I guess we will be stuck with a vibrating van

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  Wild Ride - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Wild Ride - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Easy to modify for street racing. Given tools, money, and a little time you can transform this car into the car of your dreams.

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  Why bother with an Acura? - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Scott - August 14 - 10:50 pm

  I bought my coupe after looking at the Acura TSX and the TL and Im glad I saved my money and went with the Honda. It drives like a dream and the engine has all the power I need not to mention it takes regular unleaded.