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:

• 

  Great vehicle - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By brigida - March 22 - 3:13 pm

  I have two CR-Vs, a 2005 and 2007, I love them. My daughter drives the 2007 and I the 2005. I am looking to buy another car, not sure what to buy. I need something bigger this time. Not crazy about the Pilot or the vans from Honda. I wish they came out with something else. I love Hondas.

• 

  My fit at 18 months - 2009 Honda Fit
  By colofarmgirl - March 21 - 12:12 pm

  I love my Fit. I dont know why the mileage is listed at 29 mpg. I get 40 mpg, although a lot of my driving is on the highway. I was really surprised at the acceleration, given the mileage. It has great cargo options. The interior is holding up well given that I always have a couple of dogs with me. The only drawback to the Fit is that it gets blown around in high winds. I wish it had cruise control, other than that I am really pleased with my decision to buy the Fit.

• 

  Buyers remorse - 2010 Honda Fit
  By pnarus - March 20 - 6:43 pm

  Just picked the car up a few hours ago. The voice activation for the navigation doesnt work and there is a rattling in the front console. Will give the service dept a chance to prove itself. Dont like that I cannot push a button to lift the hatch up have to do it manually. Is a bit difficult to get out of car and I am small

• 

  Decent car with issues - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Steve - March 20 - 5:46 pm

  The car looks nice and handles very well. The bluetooth, navigation, voice recognition work great! There have been rattles with the glove box, steering wheel, passenger front seat, gear shift lever, inside roof liner. These have been fixed pretty much by the dealer without cost. The ride is a bit noisy for a car of this price, but not too bad. A car like this should have a USB input, not just an auxiliary input. Stop with the spring loaded covers on the aux port, and power ports! Makes it difficult to operate with one hand!! Move the aux/power input from the center console. Impossible to access/plug-in while driving with only one hand!! Climate control works well. Roomy car.

• 

  Brakes--be careful - 2008 Honda Accord
  By NKPHX - March 20 - 1:28 pm

  Great car except the rear brakes.The front brakes last 3 to 4 times longer than the rear. That never happens, the front disc always wear out first. Honda design flaw and the wont admit they have a problem.

• 

  Solid, could be more comfortable and fun - 2008 Honda Civic
  By climber - March 19 - 7:18 pm

  This car is a good compromise. Seating is acceptable, braking and handling are sound, and the engine is peppy. Auto transmission uses more gas around town than manual, a bit disappointing (26 mpg average) but is great and smart-shifting on the highway (40+ mpg). Main complaint is the lack of toe room on the passenger side, front seat. Adult male feet do not fit, so you have to sit with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Toe room is lacking in rear seat. Road noise is annoying on some road surfaces, drowns out radio. Ride is OK, but bottoms against snubbers on sharp bumps such as when crossing bridges. Handling is good but somehow not sporty. Braking is excellent, a bit sensitive.

• 

  Very Nice Car - 1991 Honda Accord
  By Dillon - March 19 - 9:54 am

  I bought this car about a week after the transmission in my 93 Mustang went out and I havent had too many problems out of it. It gets great mileage (about 38-40 highway and 30-32 city), its reliable, cheap and easy to maintain and fix, and you can always find parts if you need them. After several months of driving it and putting miles on it (I bought it with 170,000 and now have 184,000) Ive had to do some work on it. I replaced the entire exhaust system, new head gasket, water pump, fuel filter and pump, and tires of course. I need to get a tune up and some new CV joints, but after that, itll be a great car for school next year!

• 

  No vents for 3rd row seating - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Steller - March 18 - 11:05 pm

  Not bad overall. Interior design looks good but not exactly user friendly. Honda completely forgot to vent air to the 3rd row of seating making it extremely hot for children in the summer. I say children because its not exactly designed for an adult to sit comfortably. Im 511" and the shifter on the steering column hits my knee when you put it in 1st or 2nd gear which is typically not a problem unless you need to use four wheel drive. Having a difficult time reaching the potential 22 mpg as advertised for highway even though Im slow on the accelerator and Sunday drivers often pass me. I average 18 mpg.

• 

  Best for our needs - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By admanc - March 18 - 4:04 pm

  After researching several types of SUVs with 3rd row seating, we narrowed our list down to the Pilot. We found a great deal on one at a local used car lot and it was in excellent shape. This is truly the vehicle our family needed and its features adequately meet our criteria.

• 

  Overall very good with a few annoyances - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By J - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Overall, this has been a nice little SUV. The paint quality is sub par it seems like new scratches appear every day. Also, for an I-4 engine powering a Civic platform, I expected better gas mileage than what I get, which is usually about 20 around town and never better than 23-25 on the highway. Other than that, it drives well, its comfortable, it carries everything we need it to carry, and it is reliable. This is one we plan to keep until it is "driven into the ground."