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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  two words: Best Buy! - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Jared Chesler - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This wonderful Accord handles well and is great in the snow even without AWD. Buy Honda.

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  Excellent car from original owner - 1993 Honda Civic
  By EPureza - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Honda did an exceptional job building this car. Definitely worth every penny! Performance, mechanics, handling, style is great. All you have to do is follow the maintenance schedule. Cant say enough good things about this car, It has 135K+ miles on it and with proper care probably will run for another 135K no problem.

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  Great Protection in collison - 2004 Honda Element
  By JenMHulett - July 8 - 2:00 am

  There is good and bad about this vehicle. The bad being those great plastic floors( that I normally love) become very slick if cleaned with Armoral ( my local carwash armoralled the whole inside) My purse slid underneath the break pedal and I was unable to stop when nessecary. The good this is I didnt substain any injuries form colliding with a large truck at 45 miles an hour. Airbags deployed like expected and the vehicle absorbed all of the force that passengers would normally get.

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  HAPPY WITH THE PILOT - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By VGILLIS - July 8 - 2:00 am

  OUR LAST 3 PRIMARY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN HONDAS..FIRST ACCORDS AND NOW THE PILOT.WE LOVE THE WAY IT HANDLES..PARKS ALMOST LIKE THE ACCORD.MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH LIKED IT FROM THE FIRST DRIVE.

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  Great Family Car - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By drlovesek - July 8 - 2:00 am

  It is better than the American SUVs on Fuel Economy and style. My last car was a Mini Van and this is the Mini Van of the 21st century.

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  Awesome Car! - 2001 Honda Accord
  By KrisCraz18 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I have no major complaints about this car, except that the side airbag light goes on when a heavier person is sitting in the passenger seat, or I have books on there. Overall, I love driving this car!

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  pocket rocket - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Submech - July 8 - 2:00 am

  My wife loves it, the kids love it, the dog thinks its the berries, whats not for me to love about it? It negotiates city traffic effortlessly, has excellent climate conditioning, a nice sound system, a cute little sun- roof, and ours is equipped with a silky smooth 5 speed gearbox that rewards the effort of shifting your own gears with lots of fun. Its practicle too, with 28+ city mpg, and room enough for my 63" self, 53" wife, 8yr old and 5yr old to take a weekend trip in. (31mpg) I have to admit though, next time itll be the Suburban. I highly recommend this car if youre looking for a small sedan.

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  Love this Honda - 2002 Honda Accord
  By realking - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I have never owned the "best car on the road" before. Now I understand why Honda owners love Honda. Best car Ive ever owned. Great engine -- more than enough power. Will never go back to American!

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  A bit disappointed..... - 2003 Honda Accord
  By carco - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my 5th Accord. Although the fit and finish is better than my 1998 Accord, and it seems much more solid, I am disappointed with the number of creeks and squeeks in it at only 18,000 miles. My 1998 (6 years old) Accord had less squeeks and rattles when I traded it, which makes me wonder just how noisy is this car going to be in a few more years!.

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  Unbelievable Value - 2004 Honda Accord
  By jimbocullen - July 8 - 2:00 am

  My first Honda. Ive owned a couple Acura Integras in the past, and was happy with them. Picked the Accord over the Mazda 6 and Nissan Altima. I was pretty sold on buying a Mazda 6, and wasnt even considering an Accord because I thought it was too conservative looking. I drove the Accord anyway, and fell in love with it right away. The interior quality and finish is generally superior to the other cars I looked at. And the performance, wow! Impressive low end torque. As quiet and smooth a car as Ive ever been in. Ive been getting over 25mpg, better than the 2.5L V6 in my Mazda 626. No missing features on the ES-V6, everything is standard.