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:

• 

  Scouts Rating - 2004 Honda Accord
  By scout - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 1990 VW Jetta, looking for a sporty four door sedan that would be comfortable for 4 adults whether travelling to evening shows or bicycling events. I find the car extremely fun to drive. It has great exceleration and corners well. The seats are wonderfully comfortable and dont put pressure on the tail-bone.

• 

  The quality of the car and the dealer - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Joe_Edmunds - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Problem in first 10300 miles: 1. SRS system. 2. Seat belt failure. 3. Multiplex computer unit failure. 4. Excessive Rattle. 5. Unknown cause of Engine light 6. Bad experience with the dealership. This is Hondas fault of choosing dealerships with such low standards.

• 

  So-so vehicle - 2005 Honda Element
  By Joe - September 8 - 8:14 am

  I wanted a CRV but it was over priced and under powered for the size. (After some research I see Honda 4 cylinder cars are woefully under powerses. Only logical reason for that its more profitable for the company then adding a V6) The 2005 Element was nearly $24,000 new, way over priced! - I bought used. The Element has been a like / dislike relationship. Its way too heavy for 150+ hp. A small V6 would of made it an enviously nice car. Had I done my homework and seen the maximum cargo, occupancy and fuel weight is a maximum of 675 pounds I wouldnt of bought it. That means 3 adults and some luggage youre already at or above maximum safe driving weight limit. When I first bought it I did my best to get the best mpg (22mpg), which meant from a dead stop to the speed limit (30 street-60mph Hwy) in about 60 - 120 seconds, that got old quick so I now get 13 city / 18 hwy. I was getting 28mpg in my V6 260 hp Maxima. Road noise is nearly unbearable, Im sure I have hearing lose driving my Element. Why do I still drive it? Laid off, making less income. I have no stomach to get into debt anytime soon. So Ill drive it till it dies.

• 

  Awesome! - 2009 Honda Civic
  By klbeale - September 8 - 7:40 am

  This car is so fun to drive, it is amazing. To purchase a car with the performance, quality, below $20,000, is a steal. It has all the options except navigation, which I chose not to purchase. This car actually thinks for you. When driving, this car can scream down the road if you want it, with a redline of 8000 rpm, it flies. The handling is incredible, you almost feel like you are in a Indy car. If you are looking for a great small car, you must test drive the SI coupe.

• 

  The Honda Elelment - 2006 Honda Element
  By Niki Jones - September 8 - 7:32 am

  I t drives great I like the new style with all paint and not black plastic around it. The color is great and boy what room for a small SUV.

• 

  What you can expect in repairs!! - 1996 Honda Accord
  By Bruce - September 8 - 7:20 am

  Great car for Reliability. Below are my service records: 1. Timing Belt replaced 88K 2. New Radiator - 130K 3. Temperature senor - 140K 4. Vaccum hose fell off - 167K 5. Oil pan gasket - 170K 6. Rear main seal - 176K 7. Distributor o-ring and engine gasket - 176K 8. oxygen senors - 176K 9. Also, tires, battery, spark plugs, spark plug wires, air filter, gas filter, replaced brakes, replace transmission fluid, coil wire and distributor cap / rotor. (Normal repair items)

• 

  Love this car! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By AP - September 7 - 11:53 pm

  After driving a 2-dr, 2-seat v-6 gas- guzzling Dodge Dakota Sport Manual for 9-years and 149.5k miles while such little luxuries as Auto trans, CD players, power windows, and keyless entry passed me by, I decided it was time to get something fuel efficient, reliable, and safe (and not to mention the all-important-to-me envtl responsibility). My research all pointed to the new Civic, but knowing my mothers 98 Civic kept me from being excited about it. But lo and behold, I only had to drive this sweet, peppy little car for 5 minutes to feel completely at home and even to fall in love even. It strikes a magnificent chord between fun and practicality and I look forward to driving it.

• 

  Ridgleline is A+++ - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Chris - September 7 - 7:10 pm

  Very well thought out truck. I drove one for the weekend (our shop truck) and realized my Dodge Ram was not as practical and did not drive nearly as well as the Ridgeline. This truck has enough power to do what 95% of truck owners need. If people would just drive this truck, they would love it. The looks grow on you, and it is a head turner for sure. I would recomend this truck to anyone with no hesitation.

• 

  My first Honda - 2007 Honda Element
  By mark - September 7 - 9:35 am

  I looked at SUVs that ranged from BMW, Volvos Nissans and Toyotas. I have owned most in the past and the Element is my favorite. It is what it says it is. Excellent value. Basic but fun to drive. Add the XM radio with the super sound system, I can not want any thing more.

• 

  New addition to the family - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Susan Powell - September 6 - 11:40 pm

  Spent 6 weeks researching this class of vehicle. Even though none of them met all my requirements, the Pilot met most. Unlike its competitors where I felt like a sardine in a supposed "mid size" SUV, the Pilot just makes me feel overall comfortable in it! Kind of like your favorite chair! Just got it home last night due to having to wait 3 1/2 weeks for it to be delivered to the dealer. Apparently they are in big demand and dealers cant keep them on the lots. So, I havent put it through its paces yet. A trip to the North Georgia mountains will be its first non-urban driving test. Some things Id like to see Honda change: more insulation against road noise, more cup holders up front, less tilt to display screen, lower the back hatch entrance to help with lifting heavy objects into back (its too high), offer standard moon roof on lower end models, brighten up exterior color options (way too much gray/black...yuk!). So far I love it!