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:

• 

  Civic-2006 Motor Trend car of the year! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Vince - January 19 - 11:30 am

  Owned 6 Hondas in all. I prefer the Si over the EX but no 4dr. After thorough research, went with the Atomic Blue Ex. Ive got more attention on this civic than my Acura TL. Best in its class. Test drove all competitors and civic is the champ in all aspects. stylish, Value, reliable and fun to drive. Civic earned a Motor Trend Car of the year award beating out Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes.

• 

  WOWZERS! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By OMG! - January 19 - 9:56 am

  wow this car is great go out and get one before they all fly away!

• 

  Honda Civic - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Ashley - January 19 - 4:40 am

  I love my new Honda Civic Special Edition. I am a young mother of a small child and not only is the Civic sporty and fun, but it also serves its purpose for being a family car.

• 

  Nice Car But it Has a Few Design Issues - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By M. Lopergolo - January 19 - 4:32 am

  The 2016 Pilot looks great and runs fantastically. My chief complaint is the fact that the passenger side mirror doesnt have the camera. I assumed the highest end model would have the camera when I ordered my 2016 Pilot. I was extremely disappointed to find it doesnt. I have a 2014 Accord with the camera and have grown to depend on it for safety reasons. I wish Honda would offer an "after market" camera for the passenger side. If I had know this I would have ordered the Touring edition. I am not a happy camper with Honda.

• 

  2006 HONDA CRV - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By Tom - January 18 - 8:21 pm

  The 2006 is everything I thought it would be and more. Looked at all in its class and no other compares. Got the 5spd manual to get the extra horses from the engine and Im glad I did. Ride, handling and acceleration are very good. Recommend this vehicle to anyone! Like it better than the 2007.

• 

  Almost perfect - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By JB - January 18 - 7:50 pm

  The drive is vantastic if youre not driving over choppy roads. Then the ride gets very noisy. Im starting to think the Pax tires have something to do with this. Otherwise when riding on smooth surfaces its equivalent to riding a Lexus or Mercedes sedan. Driver side sliding door had to be adjusted twice because of a noise it would make when taking off from a stop position. Sliding doors rattle a lot on choppy roads, more than I would expect for a vehicle costing 40K. Again may be the Pax tires. My decision to buy the Odyssey over Town & Country was the traction on wet roads. Test drove both on rainy days and Odyssey performed great, where the T&C was spinning its wheels big time.

• 

  2018 Honda CR-V Touring - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By Bernie - January 18 - 4:34 pm

  Excellent car that is dependable and looks great

• 

  reliable old car - 1991 Honda Accord
  By 91 accord wagon - January 18 - 12:59 pm

  This is one of the best Hondas Ive owned. The car has been family owned since new and I bought it in 1999 with 97,000 miles. I have done all the scheduled maintenance and I have never had any reliability problems. Now the car is 16 years old with 160,000 miles and it still runs and looks perfect. I have driven in commute traffic and still get around 25-30 mpg. I wish the car had the manual transmission, but the automatic is easier in traffic. The car is well balanced when driven in the snow, and can hold a lot of cargo especially with the back seat folded flat. I have had several offers to sell, but I plan on keeping this car until 200K or more.

• 

  11,000 miles later... - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Tim S. - January 17 - 11:57 pm

  I purchased this vehicle 9/06, and have put 11,000 miles since. I was in the market for an all-weather vehicle that could carry 4 adults plus gear on an all-day road trip in comfort, and the Pilot has performed that role beautifully. Others have complained about road noise, but I have found it quite reasonable on many long days. If this is a concern for you, do a freeway test drive and decide for yourself. The NAV system works pretty well -not perfect, but good (disclaimer - I have NOT read the entire, lengthy manual for it) but sometimes the routing is quirky. I have averaged just under 20 MPG combined.

• 

  Great Car - 1995 Honda Civic
  By ArtGirl - January 17 - 6:24 pm

  I was thinking about buying a new car - something with a high safety rating. And because I now have 126,000 miles (although my mechanic keeps saying this is a great car and I have another 100,000 miles in it). But after reading the reviews in here on the cars that have high safety ratings and on my car, I think Im going to keep this one for awhile. Theres no bad reviews on this car. VW and Volvo both have some very negative reviews (hadnt made my way to Saab, Audi or Subaru yet). The car is getting a bit sluggish with age, but overall, it has great get up and go for a 4 cylinder.