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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  Kind of a mistake - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By Patti - May 25 - 1:57 pm

  I drove acura rdx, infinity ex35. Ended up with the CR-V because is was the best deal, thousands less. Best gas mileage and regular gas. The others require premium. I wish I had gone for the RDX. It was $6,000 more and requires prem gas and worse overall mpg. BUT much better to drive.

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  My 325,000 mile 91 RS is the better car - 2006 Honda Accord
  By back to bowties - May 25 - 4:33 am

  The 5-speed 4 cylinder is fun to drive. Good acceleration and handling for fwd. Reliability - exhaust shield rattled dealer fixed, outlets failed cant charge phone & gps at the same time unlike every other car Ive owned. 43,000 miles computer failed and put me on the side of the road 125 miles from home. None of my GM cars have broke down on the side of the road with less than 200,000+ miles on them. Honda replace ECM under warranty. Lots of feathers, great comfort, pretty & tasteful styling. Quality and "impression" of quality outstanding, actual quality well below expectations. Wouldnt have the auto with the 4-banger.

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  Less than I expected - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Paul - May 24 - 5:04 pm

  This van is very quiet on the road, handles well with a full load of passengers, love the leather, the sun roof, and the auto HVAC, which can be adjusted separately for the driver, passenger, and rear.

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  Love it so far! - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By rkhamilton920 - May 24 - 1:11 pm

  Picked it up over the weekend. Great driving position - really wide and roomy. Didnt note a problem with sunroof. All around my wife and I are pleased. Mileage is not going to be great - but I knew that going in to the purchase. Going to take awhile to fully learn about functions and features for the Electronics/Navigation Systems.

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  Overall nice car - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By yhk - May 23 - 10:31 pm

  Bought our first minivan 3 months ago with 3000 mi driven. Getting 18-22mpg so far on freeway/city driving. So far no major problems except a few body panels being loose at the edges. Taking it to dealer to get it fixed. Hard to modulate brakes smoothly. Noticed you have to press pretty far down in order to stop if you are going at a decent speed (30-40 mph), but I think its just a matter of getting used to the weight of the vehicle. Overall, nice size vehicle if you want to haul people and things.

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  Great but could be better - 2009 Honda Civic
  By automax - May 22 - 10:34 pm

  I drive about 33,000 miles per year, mostly highway. This is one of a very few cars that can do commuting and playing at the same time and do them well. For commuting, its comfortable, reliable and economical(I average 31 MPG, 2 MPG better then EPA estimates). When you want to play, just rev the crap out of it and it rewards you, handling is solid, power is great (above 6000 RPM), and engine notes are extraordinary. All it needs is more torque, if Honda put in the Japan only "R" engine, this thing would be nirvana on wheels. If you do a lot of commuting, yet enjoy a spirited drive, this is one of the best buys out there.

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  So far so good! - 2009 Honda Accord
  By ubobby - May 22 - 6:52 pm

  Have driven the car only 1500 miles and its OK.Nothing exciting, just OK but thats Honda. Reliability is why we all buy them!Now to the brake problem that everyone is stating, mostly rear pads? Talked to American Honda today and they said a class action had started and they will be in touch with us all to fix the problem. Hope that helps!

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  Stop Complaining - 2007 Honda Civic
  By DL - May 22 - 9:39 am

  I have put 76,000 miles on this car since it has been new. At first the road noise is bad, the stock tires stink, I replaced with General Altimax HP tires. These reduced road noise considerably. As for the several recalls on this car, I give Honda credit for issuing recalls on items that could easily be passed on to the consumer after the warranty period. Simply put this is a great car with a few flaws, but you get what you pay for. I wanted a very reliable car that was affordable and that is what I got. Plus its design allows me to preform most routine maintenance myself.

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  Great Car - 1993 Honda Accord
  By Georgia - May 21 - 9:06 am

  I bought this car at the end of 2002 with 92,000 miles on it. It was an extremely reliable car. I drive round trip 72 miles a day to work. I always said I would drive it till it died. It was a great car for the last 8 years and I just traded it in on a 2007 EX-L Accord. My 93 had 232,000 miles on it and still going. Had begun to replace things over the last few years - but that was to be expected. Got 180,000 miles out of the original clutch! AC / Heat still worked. Great, dependable car. One of the reasons I traded it, was the newer Accords are roomier and my kids are growing up and needing more leg room. I hated to see my 93 Accord go, but so far I love the 2007 as well.

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  Rear Brake Problem Disappointing - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Tom - May 20 - 11:04 pm

  Ive had this Accord since new, and have enjoyed the car very much. However, today at 20k mile service I learned the rear brakes already need replacing. After reading many similar complaints on the web, this is obviously a factory defect as rear brakes shouldnt wear out before the front, and especially not at 20k miles. This is extremely frustrating and disappointing. I bought Honda for quality, and learning this is a known issue for so long without any recall to correct is disappointing as well. Continued loyalty to brand has ended.