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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  Mine - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By BBills - January 5 - 10:17 am

  Right size for what is needed. Truck is well-built and I feel it will last a long time

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  Good Vehicle - 2004 Honda Element
  By Rocky - January 5 - 3:42 am

  Ive enjoyed the vehicle. and would recommend it to anyone. this is my first Honda and I would buy again. US made does not come close. My other car is US and there is always something going wrong with it. Ive got 11,000 on the Honda and only one small A/C vent broke on me.

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  It will get you to A to B but with headaches - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By Shane B. - January 5 - 2:59 am

  I own a 2006 Honda CR-V with 180,000 miles on it. So far it has been a reliable car with a lot of headaches. First off my model had the faulty airbag that, if set off could send bits of shrapnel into your neck and face causing severe injury or death. Got the recall about a year ago in 2015 and I have been driving this car for almost 10 years. So right off the bat safety wise is a no go. Thank God I did not get into an accident that would have set the airbag off. If your interested in this car MAKE sure the one you are buying has had the airbag replaced at the dealership. I say reliable as in you can drive this car into the dirt and it will still keep on driving. Thats the only thing I like about this car after many years of driving it. Right from the start it had road noise, needed a new starter (still have starter issues), and after 15,000 miles I already had warped rotors. Now at 180,000 miles my rotors warped again and I have had wobbles and jitters throughout the coarse of owning this car. The fuel pump had to be replaced 3 times over the course of my ownership. I keep having to replace the headlights every 4 to 6 months as they burn out really fast. As an SUV type of car handling around corners isnt really great as you feel like you are going to tip over so you have to slow down. I dont drive recklessly; I drive carefully. Maybe I just got a lemon but if you dont want a car that will cause you headaches constantly dont get it. If you are willing to spend the money on replacing parts and having them go out 4 months later go ahead. Again the only thing I like about this car is that reliably; you can drive it in the dirt and keep on driving but in a car reliable to me is having a car that will drive and maintenance is a breeze. Overall its been a great car to have to run into the dirt (MPG not that great for a 4 cylinder) but Im tired of continuously spending money on problems that keep surfacing and I know the CR-V is tired as well. So Im finally selling it and getting another car. Brand new I should have bought another car, but I drove this CR-V with constant problems. Again maybe I got a lemon. The end? Im never buying another Honda; lesson learned. I mean my girlfriends dads 2005 Chevy 1,500 has not had as many problems as my car has and he has spent significantly less in repairs and maintenance over the years of owning that truck.

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  "Simplify" with perfect reliability! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Texasmcallister - January 4 - 10:33 pm

  It is refreshing to get back to owning Hondas...just now recovering financially from owning 1996 Dodge Caravan, and 2000 Volkswagens. Although our Odyssey was nice and convenient, we needed a super durable vehicle for our bad roads-the Pilot has been just that! (Knocking on wood) After 72,000 miles on Texas Hill Country roads (and "off" roads), our Pilot has batted 1000 on reliability and durability. Good luck on finding one lightly used...this one is a keeper!

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  Honda Civic LX - 1995 Honda Civic
  By HondaGirl - January 4 - 9:32 pm

  Overall, not a bad car. It has only left me stranded twice: when the plastic radiator cracked, alternator belt broke. Gets pretty good gas mileage. Now with 232,000 miles it is gone. Starter just went out, oil seals are leaking, and it leaked on the timing belt, back power windows leaking, trunk is leaking water from back window. This summer had the CV joints, brakes, and rotors replaced and it was driving like brand new. I got this car with 90K miles on it. We had a good run. Just remember to get the timing belt replaced every 90K miles and you will be fine. I got this car in college and it has lasted thru my first job, and it will be missed

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  america, take note - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By yachtracer - January 4 - 2:43 pm

  This is an outstanding suv. Plenty of power, space and comfort. Hauls everything we need, both inside and by trailer. It is very reliable and the build quality is obvious.

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  Honda Dropped the Ball - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By slaken - January 4 - 2:03 pm

  I want other owners to know that I bought a new 2016 Honda Pilot because I bought the first year 2009 Honda Pilot and drove it to 176k with no problems. I liked the old Honda and bought in to the new Honda because of the safety features and improved fuel economy. The bad I can safely say after driving the fist 2,500 miles with the new Honda Pilot, this car is garbage. The fit and finish is horrible (needed to have two of the plastic panels replaced because they warped), needed to have the entire head unit taken off of the car because of an annoying noise (first 100 miles and two days in the shop), now the navigation system doesnt recognize commands, the stereo is anemic and often crackles and hisses. The only way to stop this is to turn the car on an off. So in a total of one month the car has been in the shop for a total of four days. This in comparison to the 2010 that never had an issue. The good The safety features are great. The lane departure, lane assist, adaptive cruise and front end collision all work great. The econ also works great as I am consistently getting 30 mpg combined city and highway. That being said those are the pluses.

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  Nice Car - 2002 Honda Civic
  By RicK Till - January 4 - 11:20 am

  Great car for the right price

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  Nice Small Honda CR-V EX-L AWD (love it so far) - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Ray - January 4 - 9:02 am

  Recently picked up an 09 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD with 88,800 miles on it (This is my first Honda). Go to say, overall I am fairly impressed by it. I did a thorough overall inspection in, out, around, under, etc... and that was before I got in it to test how it drives, shifts, sounds, etc...) For having that many miles on it I have to say it looks and drives like an auto that would have half the miles on it. I cant comment on reliability and costs yet as I just picked it up a week ago. So far though, it runs, drives and looks great. I got an excellent deal at $11K purchase price. Everything in and out functions as it should and I received it with new brakes all around and new tires. I have owned a few Chevy SUVs in the past and seriously those were ready for the junk yard by the time they hit 100k miles, not to mention that they were both money pits (I do maintain my autos faithfully and do most of the maintenance work myself so I know the job is getting done correctly). I do not beat on my autos, it can be hard to determine how a machine will hold up as everyone drives and maintains there autos differently. I will try and do my best to update my review as time goes by (this one will be tested in the New England environment). We like my Honda CR-V so much that we are in the process of trading in my wifes Kia Soul (purchased new, now has 78,000 miles on it) for another Honda CRV

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  Good Car for City Commuting - 2010 Honda Insight
  By John - January 4 - 5:43 am

  Well I got inspired and traded in my 2008 CRV for an Insight. I have an average commute of 40 mile per day total with about 4 miles of city driving. I live in San Antonio and my last 5 miles of my commute is stop and go traffic. Anybody who drives 281 North in the evening will know stop and go should really be stop and stop traffic. I have 1400 miles on the car and am averaging all around 45.2 MPG. I will admit I do miss the CRV, but I am a city driver only and with the exception of going back and forth to work I do not do that much additional driving... bottom line. I like the car. Even though gas is down right now we all know when this economy get back on track will be looking ^$ gas.