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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  Honda replaced fiat - 2013 Honda Fit
  By fixitagaintony - August 16 - 9:05 am

  13000 klm so far, so good. Gas mileage is the same as the fiat 500 I traded and uses regular gas and has lots more room. Smooth ride and good handling.

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  Terrible - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By raystarlink - August 15 - 6:12 pm

  2008 Honda Pilot. Very overrated vehicle, especially considering cost,. Heavy low speed steering adequate power figgity transmission plows doesnt handle mediocre brakes gas guzzlerterrible stereo system ( good if you like rap- vehicle has a factory sub-woffer ). The following quit before 87,000km.....A/C -$2700 to repair - Honda dealer wont help brakes $1,100 transmission $1,700 electrical issues $ 500. Honda service very expensive....my previous BMW service was cheaper. When you drive a Mazda, Toyota, or domestic the Pilot feels 30 years older.

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  Excellent Car (EX Sedan Automatic) - 1992 Honda Accord
  By creek2013 - August 15 - 5:05 pm

  I dont think I can say much negative about this car - Id say it has everything a driver needs plus more. Ive been driving it for a little bit more than 3 years now - it is my first car. Its reliable, sporty, comfortable, and I think it looks awesome (no mods)! I happened to come across one that looked like new, and it rocks! Only minor problems so far Id say - like hoses leaking, otherwise, great car. I think I just hit the 180000 mile mark - I think it has yet to hit its break-in point...may drive this car for years to come!

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  Savings? None! - 2005 Honda Civic
  By atcpro - August 11 - 11:38 am

  The hybrids fuel economy is great until you do the math on the cost to own. Youre going to pay an extra 2k for the hybrid. Over five years, youll save about $2925 in fuel. Sounds great until you have spit out $3900 for a new hybrid battery. Honda lost their case because they knew the battery had a shorter lifespan than advertised. So they were forced to extend the warranty to 9 years. Again, sounds great until find out they did an "update" at your last service visit on the battery that extends its life another year. Ironically, just enough for the warranty to be invalid. All together, you can expect to pay about 3k more than your gas guzzling neighbor. Cust. Serv. is a joke.

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  Honda Accord Sport 6M - 2013 Honda Accord
  By jonus0001 - August 11 - 9:06 am

  Bought this car four months ago and have 1300 miles on it. The car is very comfortable and fun to drive. Unfortunately, the car has been back to the dealer 5 times . The seals around the drivers side window are bad. The car sounds like a wind tunnel above 60 mph. In addition, some part is bouncing around in the dash making a constant rattle. The local dealership and Honda North American did nothing to fix the problem until I made it clear I was filing a lemon law complaint. Build quality of this first year model has been below normal for Hondas usual high standards.

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  Disappointed in Honda - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By randyhi - August 10 - 8:01 am

  I bought this CRV new and at 50,000 miles I was told by the local service dept that it now needs new tie rod ends, ball joints, and bushings. The poor thing has been used on the highway and in town and has rarely been on anything other than a paved road. I just got the quote for these repairs and it is just a little over $800. I have never seen a vehicle have suspension and steering problems arise this soon unless it had been subjected to serious off road use. Mine has not. It has a weak engine that struggles on hills and is best owned and driven in the flatlands. I bought a Honda for their reliability and am very disappointed with the issues at only 50K miles.

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  Honda is back on track! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By hardtoplease2 - August 9 - 9:49 pm

  I loved my 2000 Accord SE, but it was time to pass it down, and get myself something new. This Coupe is amazing. I have driven many manual trannies, but this one is the best. The engine has plenty of power, tugging smoothly at the low end and breathtakingly at the high end - and it makes wonderful sounds! Theres always a correct gear to select. Positioning of all controls is great. With only 200 miles on it, I got 30 mpg on a 460 mile trip, with a combination of city and mostly high speed highway, cruising at 80 mph (the speed limit in that part of Texas, thank you) and making no attempt to be frugal. City-only is averaging 24, again without trying. Sound system is awesome.

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  Noisiest car I have ever owned - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By heli_driver - August 8 - 6:13 pm

  Purchased brand new (14 Months ago) with every option Honda offers. This vehicle is the noisiest car I have ever owned. My Honda convertible S2000 was quieter than this CRV. Road/tire noise, wind noise, engine noise and even noise from passing vehicles are not attenuated. Being mostly mid to higher frequency noise, this gives us both a headache. I question if Honda forgot the soundproofing in my car. The Head Lights are very weak & easy to over drive. At Hwy speeds the steering input is far too sensitive, making it squirrelly and dangerous feeling. Even as a commercial helicopter pilot, the Navigation/stereo is not easy to use and key features do not work with the iPhone.

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  Good experiment - 2009 Honda Fit
  By spudo - August 8 - 12:02 pm

  I purchased the 2009 Fit Sport in 2011 with 44k miles on it. We were coming out of the recession, so I thought I would try a fuel efficient small car for my job, which is a lot of highway driving. A couple thoughts: The MPG meter exaggerated the gas mileage a bit. the meter read 36.6 over 10,000 miles, the calculator said 32.35 for the same time period. I had a black exterior and interior. The combination of the big black dash along with all the glass allowed a lot of heat in the car. The air conditioning is set to cycle the compressor on and off during driving to save fuel, made it very hard to keep cool on hot days. Added an official Honda center console, very much worth the money.

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  An Aston Martin it isnt, but its pretty damn OK - 2009 Honda Accord
  By slimm1470 - August 7 - 3:17 pm

  I bought it with 48k and now it has 68k. I have all service records, its been cared for properly. Nothing has gone wrong with this car! Its a V6 sedan and its fast! It has about the slickest engine and transmission combination Ive ever driven. Except for some body roll, the handling qualities are great. The steering is agile and its goes exactly where you nudge it. Fine car.