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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  Best Car in 50 Years of Driving - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Joan H. - February 17 - 5:06 pm

  The car handles beautifully in wet and snowy weather. Quiet and extremely comfortable to ride in, it has v/good acceleration, offering safe access to busy expressways and parkways. The 3/6 cylinder motor offers economy. For once, we are not fighting for trunk space (usually we do not use the third row of seats). Each of us has a big plastic storage box in the trunk, and we still have ample space for our five suitcases when traveling. The four dogs also have plenty of room. The largest of the four (50 lbs.) likes to ride in the front seat whenever I drive alone; when the seat warmer is on, she curls up for a nap. Even my friends who are critical of suvs and vans havent complained.

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  Couldnt let go - 2000 Honda Civic
  By klu - February 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Civic over a 12-year period. Ive owned the 91 hatchbacks and 94 EX coupes and this model is by far the best one. I prefer this model over the current hatchback Sis. Ive driven it for 51,500 miles with no problem. I was within a day of selling it when when I bought my IS300, but decided I couldnt let go of it. I suspect my Si will outlast the IS.

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  I love this car!!! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Sabrina - February 16 - 10:13 pm

  I went from a civic to a 2005 accord LX and I love the change! The car is roomy, sporty, has a good stereo, safe and pretty!

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  230K and still runs like a "Top"! BUT... - 1996 Honda Accord
  By Edwin Sherman - February 16 - 9:32 pm

  Perform regular preventative maintenance, and you have a forever friend. It is the very definition of "reliable". Period. The only other vehicle I have ever owned, and still own, as reliable as my 96 Accord, is my 04, Odyssey. However, one issue consistent with 1990s Hondas is rusting upper arch wheel wells. The design flaw is how the rubber molding/weather stripping attached to the inner wheel well arch flange consistently traps enough moisture to cause premature rusting. Longtime owners of Hondas of this era know exactly what I am referring to and would agree. Unless of course, a quick fix rust repair had been performed prior to selling the car, in which case the next owner would disagree while unknowingly to become the next victim. However, if you took the best advice from Honda enthusiasts on reputable Honda forums, and removed the molding, you then bought a few extra years before having to perform body work. The rubber molding simply and easily tears away by hand, and I, of course, was too late removing the liners. No need to worry about aesthetics as the removed weather stripping is not noticeable, and, does not affect the lines of the car. I repaired my rusting wheel arches by sanding and applying fiberglass cloth tape affixed with fiberglass specific, Bondo. Sand, prime, paint. Done. The second issue would be the specific and unusual placement of O-rings under the rocker arms. It does not matter if you changed the oil every 3K miles, the O-rings under the rock arms inevitably become stiff and brittle, leaking small amounts of oil into a cylinder(s), wetting the spark plug(s). You may or may not notice a change in performance, other than slightly decreased gas mileage, until you see a fouled plug(s) during a tune up. The initial, and common instinct to blame it on failing cylinder rings in this era Honda is more than likely, not true. You can do nothing and be fine as long as you are frequently checking and topping off your oil. OK. Thats it for the body and engine complaints. I will say, regardless of the couple of annoying things born into the 94-97 Accord, which is truly nothing when comparing cars in general, I am not letting go of this stalwart Accord until it, not me, says, "it is over."

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  Money Well Spent - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Terry - February 16 - 8:40 am

  Has not been back to the dealer for any issues. This is a solid, good looking vehicle. It rides great. My wife and I really enjoy it to the point we are finding "reasons" to drive it instead of our 2005 Avalon. The new design seems upscale and sporty. Acceleration is adequate but a little more acceleration on tap when merging on the highway would be nice. Once at speed it is great. The interior,audio system and gauges are well thought out. (Wish the front seat cushions were a little longer and maybe a touch softer) Honda knows how to build a quality vehicle for the money!

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  Good on milage, great on the enviroment - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Hybrid-Driver - February 16 - 3:06 am

  I get 41 MPG in the city very consistently. I have gotten as high as 43 MPG on the highway. I suppose you could get 50 MPG if you were going down hill all of the time and didnÂ’t run the A/C. I live in Houston, TX, so that isnÂ’t very practical. IÂ’m happy with the 41 MPG. This car qualifies as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions vehicle in all 50 states. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gives the Civic Hybrid a greenhouse gas score of 10 (being the best). The car qualifies for a $1,350 tax credit. The Honda Civic Hybrid was declared the World Green Car for 2006 at the New York International Auto Show.

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  Coast to Coast - 2004 Honda Insight
  By harbold - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I have driven my Insite two times from California to the East Coast and return. One troble is keeping it down to the speed limit. When I look down we frequently are driving much to fast. One the desert I have had it over a hundered. Driving freeway 8 to Alpine from San Diego the trafic moves above eighty-five. The grade is steep and in the honda I keep having to slow down. The other car we use is a corvett on the 0 to eighty will lay you back in the seat which the honda wont. However the honda coners as well as it does. It is flat on corners and takes them as well as the corvett.

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  Safe & Sturdy - 2000 Honda Accord
  By JnMsMom - February 16 - 2:00 am

  The reason I bought my Honda was because of their rating for safety & reliability and it turned out to be a VERY wise choice! While at a complete stop, I was hit from behind by a pickup truck. The truck was totaled because the whole front end was smashed inward. However, my Accord required minimal repair - the steel behind the rear body panel was dented in about 2 inches and the trunk lid bowed up about 1/2 inch. It was amazing to see the difference in the two vehicles! Even after being in an accident, it still rides great, gets good gas mileage, and is a wonderful car.

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  You Cant Go Wrong - 2002 Honda Civic
  By MW757 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned the car since October and got a excellent deal as the 2003 models were coming in. I love the reliability and build quality from Honda. Its fun to drive and it looks great. I went for Honda 5-spoke alloy wheels and the EX really looks sporty. I fell in love with the car after a friend bought a HX model. My EX has been great on gas mileage about 34 mpg. You really cant go wrong with a Civic. The sedans are nice too.

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  We love our Honda Odyssey - 1996 Honda Odyssey
  By Tom Fong - February 15 - 2:00 am

  We like Japanese cars. We had a Toyota Camry before which we loved it. When we needed to upgrade to a minivan in 1996. We compared both Honda Odyssey and Toyota Previa. Honda Odyssey drives more like a car and is very passenger-friendly. After we own Honda Odyssey, we discover that Hondas designs are very smart. In 2001, when we needed to buy another sedan, we chose Honda Accord over Toyota Camry.