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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  Not impressed - 1992 Honda Accord
  By johnnyspiker - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This car jerks like no other. Id rather have a GM car, but not bad on reliability at this tie they were defintley better than GM. If looking for this used Id recomend but not new.

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  Your Basic Car - 1994 Honda Civic
  By Owner1122 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Heres just about everything you need in a car, literally speaking. Not particularly powerful, and quite noisy at speeds, the little Civic will take you more or less wherever you want to go, and it wont exact a huge price on your bank account. The car is tolerable, and fulfills all its promises. Its kinda fun to drive, in a slow, homey kind of way. Theres not much going on under the hood, but this car will never break. If you want to get from Point A to Point B, youre all over the Honda Civic DX.

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  great handling but a slow car - 1992 Honda Civic
  By wishihadafastercar - August 19 - 2:00 am

  The car has great handling and great gas efficiency, but man wheres the accelerating?? This car chokes on hills, and when you need power the Civic wont give it. Ive floored it once and the engine started making a loud noise but my car still didnt go fast. Overall its a good car if you drive like a grandma (if you dont accelerate much) so itll save you a lot of money on gas. But on the other side, it can be very frustrating driving with barely any acceleration. Of course you could always do stuff to it to make it faster, but then I would rather just buy a more expensive car with more horsepower and torque.

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  4 Dr EX 4WD SUV - 1999 Honda Passport
  By cneal - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Honda and up to this point, I was one of Hondas biggest fans...up till now. Honda should step up to the plate and recall all of these things. What an Embarrassment to the name (or lack there of). I really missed the boat on this one. I should have done my homework before I bought it, now not only do I have a huge car payment, but repair bills every 3 months. I cant wait to get rid of this thing (if I can) and get a Toyota. Even if it costs me more a month, it would be worth it!!!!

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  Honda over states gas mileage to sell this car - 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Bob doremus - August 7 - 7:52 am

  I have owned this car for 3 months and driven 5000 miles, both highway and city, in good weather. I have never reset trip B since I purchased car, the computer gas mileage for the 5000 miles on trip B is only 38.2mpg, also have never gotten over 38 mpg when monitoring at each fill up, in fact mpg is as low as 35 mpg. We have the economy button on and drive very conservatively, still only 38 mpg. Far from the 50 mpg city and 47 mpg overall. Obviously they are not being honest with their customers and they know it, Im sure Im only one of many that have complained to them. Had I known this, I would have just purchased a non hybrid Honda Accord, which would probably not be far off on mpg Im actually getting with the hybrid. Also when accelerating on any type of grade under 40 mph, the engine revs and the feeling is like a slipping transmission or clutch.

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  Not great so far - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Jeff - August 3 - 7:06 am

  Horrible gas mileage... noise (rattle) in door panels from speakers even when radio volume (and bass) is low. Transmission shifts very hard.

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  08 EX oil burner - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Art Gopfert - August 1 - 10:40 am

  Bought this in 9/08 and was in the shop constantly. My biggest concern was the oil usage, one qt every 1500 miles. Hondas official response after monitoring its consumption for 3 mo. was "as long as it didnt burn one qt every 1000 miles, it was normal". Thats their official response, and that was not coming from the dealer, that was HONDA. Other concerns: one burned out cat converter, (daaa wonder why), 4 tires replaced due to vibration at hwy speeds, never did solve the vibration. 2nd gear syncros not messing without a grind and missed shift. (no it was not my shifting expertise, Honda) I was told by Honda that the oil burning would go away, maybe. Ya, right! I sold this gem 3 mo ago.

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  A Little Disappointed - 2007 Honda Civic
  By James - July 31 - 3:13 am

  I previously owned a 2004 manual Civic, which was a fantastic car that never had any problems. But Ive had number of small problems with my 2007 Civic in just the first 18 months of ownership, and I fear these are signs of larger problems down the road. The A/C broke, driver-side sun visor broke, water-pump had a recall and needed to be replaced, and the car almost didnt start after sitting for just two days recently in 30 degree weather. I plan to trade this car within the next month or so.

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  There are better ones - 1999 Honda Passport
  By Mr49er - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Passport for my wife. She absolutely loves it. I, on the other hand, find it very uncomfortable to drive. On the passenger side, however, its nicer. I keep having problems with the check engine light coming on and no Honda dealer can tell me why. I dont think Honda made a good move to team with Isuzu just to get into the SUV market. Like I said, "there are better ones".

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  2003 Accord - it really sucks! - 2003 Honda Accord
  By shak-atak - July 26 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought a brand-new 2003 Accord b/c of its reliability However, we have been very disappointed, for the main reason we bought the car. After the 1st month we had to have the entire steering system replaced. Ever since then it has been down hill. The dealership we used in Atlanta was very unhelpful with these entire processes. The car now has some kind of electrical problems and the little pop open holder under the stereo sticks constantly it does not open easily anymore. I am glad we bought the extended warranty b/c we will need it. My wife has always been Camry loyal and I am upset now that we didnÂ’t buy one, b/c I didnÂ’t like the styling.