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:

• 

  Awesome Car - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Dan - July 18 - 6:42 am

  Ive put 3000 miles on my 99 Accord ex 5 speed. Ive filled it up probably 5 times. Gets great gas mileage. I usually take first gear all the way to 6K RPM, and I still get around 25 MPG in the city. If your planning on buying an Accord, go with the 5 speed manual. A manual is so much more fun to drive. Car is pretty quick off the line too for a 4 cylinder. The only problem Im having right now is the timing belt. I hear a constant ticking in my engine. No major problems though. Trunk is the biggest Ive ever seen. This car was def worth the MSRP of $23000 back in 99. Hondas last forever

• 

  They dont build them like they use to.. - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By Reggie-D - July 18 - 5:30 am

  I like this vehicle.. believe it !! But Honda does not build vehicles like they use to. I understand they may have to make concessions to keep their vehicles affordable. But they maybe getting close to the edge. The CR-V has too much PLASTIC !! ... On the dash, in and around all 4 doors and the cargo area. The interior fit is not always even. The emergency brake is a petal, you push it to engage it, and push it harder to release it - concession? Dont expect a posh ride, it feels like a small truck (which it is). No center console in the EX trim A DEFINITE CONCESSION... Steep learning curve for some controls.

• 

  V-6 6 SPD w/Nav stands alone - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Steven W. - July 18 - 4:40 am

  The V-6 6-Speed Coupe with Navigation stands alone in the Accords in terms of performance, appearance, and fun. You will love rowing the gears in this car as it zips from 0-60 in a slim 5.9 seconds. Stange price range though. For the same price you can get into a number of "luxury"-brand cars but with far less features (such as the voice activated nav). It is also competing with cars like the Nissan Altima 3.5. The Altima, however, does not offer a V6 6-Speed with Nav. They offer a V6 with Nav. They offer a V6 with a 6- Speed. But they do not offer a V6 6- Speed with Nav. How silly is that? The Accord also blows the Nissan away in terms of build quality.

• 

  New Honda Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Terry Kim - July 18 - 3:10 am

  I bought Honda Fit 2009 basic model two weeks ago. This is my first car. The interior and exterior designs were good. Also, it was really fun to drive because of the engine sound. Front seats had lots of spaces and it was much more comfortable than I anticipated. However, When driving in Free-Way, the car gets shaky because of wind. Also, I got many complaints from my family who sat in the back seat because the car wasnt very stabled.

• 

  love my accord - 2016 Honda Accord
  By tomhill@bellsouth.net - July 18 - 2:19 am

• 

  Great Car - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Nice Car - July 17 - 4:30 pm

  6 disc CD player very attractive, nice interior design/layout, love steering wheel audio controls, very quite engine (almost too quite), heated seats are very nice in a state with crappy winters, love headlights and front end, the rear end looks strange but a new 2007 update is on the way. Roomy interior. Some whine about the moonroof buttons awkward location but put it this way: the driver doesnt have to move their left arm much at all. Only problem areas were CD player jammed at 44000 and the transmission slipped and refused to go more than 30 mph at 38000, but that was a new transmission design, and all the above was covered by honda, with free loner car

• 

  My wife actually likes to drive a van!!! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By llngoc - July 17 - 1:06 pm

  We have a MBZ ML430 but needed a much more reliable transportation so was set to get an AWD Sienna. But we decided to hold off until we can see the new Odyssey and the rest is history. My wifes car is a BMW 7 series and she actually compared the drive of the Odyssey to the Bimmer which I also agree. And the NAV is definitely the best of all three cars we own.

• 

  Not what I expected from a HONDA. - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Tony Normand - July 17 - 2:21 am

  Little things bother me about this vehicle. The GPS does not work well, gets confused, then shuts down. Wind noise is worse than it was in our 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015 Pilot. Road sound is better. Push button gear shift is a pain, slow to respond and will make you scream...guaranteed...if you hane to maneuver in tight places. You must take your foot off the accelerator to set the cruise control (so if you are going 70 and want to set the cruise on 70, you have to spped up to about 78, take your foot off the accelerator, push the set button, and then hope that it engages at about 70. Sheer craziness. And once the cruise is on be very careful not to try to spped up a little as if you touch the accelerator, you will disengage the cruise. The second time I took my Pilot in to the dealer for the idle stop not working, I was given a three page list of 42 parameters as to why it may not be working. 43 These include things like "If the front window defogger is on, the idle stop will not work. If the speed of one of the four tires is different (?) the idle stop will not function, etc." Why have it? Why it is important to me is that I went a model up for about 4 to 5 grand more for the better gas mileage. Since the idle stop is mostly responsible for this, I wasted my money if it does not work....and it does not. Overall a great looking vehicle, comfortable, rides well unless on a deeply rutted road, lots of storage, but way too many things that are not refined, do not work, work only part time, or work, but not all of the time. A little better thought and engineering tweaks could easily resolve these issues. That things are as they are is a big disappointment. After years of other brands building quiet vehicles, why cant Honda get it done? I am losing confidence in the brand.

• 

  Best thing I could have bought! - 1997 Honda Accord
  By pastrypuff - July 16 - 9:27 pm

  I love this car! I got it 9 years old, but she still drives like a dream! At the 156,000 mile mark this car is still quiet and reliable. The gas mileage is still great, Ive had to only do little things to it. I would recomend this car to any one!

• 

  Great car so far. - 2007 Honda Civic
  By petee811 - July 16 - 5:16 pm

  I bought the car 2 days ago,I own a rsx- s as well, which is also a great car, but i needed a car with good fuel economy since i drive 140 mi. round trip to work most days. I like leather but the cloth seats are so comfortable i could fall asleep. the clutch works great and it shifts smooth as well. I am used to a short throw transmission, but the EX is fine. The drive by wire throttle system takes some getting used to, i am not used to the rpms "hanging" while i shift, but you get used to it. so far Im at 220 mi, and i still have half a tank! Im 63 and its hard for me to see the speedo because my hand is in the way, so i adjusted the steering wheel lower.