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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  2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Miliage - 2008 Honda Civic
  By chuck woods - January 2 - 2:19 pm

  I am having some severe mileage issues with my 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. I was fighting to keep mileage above 49 mpg when I went in to have new tires and oil change at 30,000 miles. Up to that point, I had never gotten less than 50 MPG (measures by dividing miles driven by gallons of gas to fill up). This included summer and winter driving, city and town. Immediately after tires (original?) and oil change I had difficulty getting 40MPG. I am now fighting to get above 35MPG. Dealer claims to have checked out and can find nothing wrong. I drive better that anyone at getting best mileage (slow speeds, cruise, tire pressure, gentle starts and breaking, little heat and air conditioning, etc)

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  mice invasion - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By virginia nichols - January 2 - 9:40 am

  I recently purchased the 2005 Honda odessy from my sun, this is the second odessy that I owned prev a 2001. Love the vehicle only problem is mice like to eat the electrical harness. My 2001 had the same problem and by the Honda dealers info this is a common problem. I love Hondas and hopefully your designers would invent something to keep this from happening. Like putting a screen around the harness. This is very frustrating and I use my car every day, and the car is in a garage. Please, please answer my question on how to prevent this from happening again.

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  This car has been a winner - 2000 Honda Civic
  By Jim - January 2 - 8:40 am

  After ten years on the road and 162,000 miles, this Civic EX is performing admirably. No major problems whatsoever.

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  When will it stop? - 1996 Honda Accord
  By Skivs - January 1 - 5:11 pm

  I bought this Honda used three years ago from a traveling salesman with 250,000 miles on the clock for a shade under $3,000 and all I have to say is I will own a Honda for the rest of my life! I now have @305,000 mi. on it now and it still runs better than some new cars. Its quick, handles excellently, and keeps going , and going etc. So far just gas and oil and new pads and rotors,(Note to the do it yourselfer, front rotor removal requires expensive specialty tool or complete disassemble of front suspension, bring your patience and band-aids)and an alternator. This thing is just bulletproof. I also drive a newer Chevy Silverado which pales in comparison in reliability. Long live Honda!!!

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  Great mileage - 2007 Honda Civic
  By keith - January 1 - 4:01 am

  Traded Kia Sorrento during gas crunch... should have kept trade-in despite bad mileage. Honda is quite noisy all around & not at all comfortable on long drives. Getting in & out of car is a chore for taller(& older) people. Fuel economy(40-45 mpg) & acceleration are excellent. Switching back to SUV. Id rather be comfortable & pay more for fuel. Civic hybrid makes a good commuter car.

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  Typical Honda - Great - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Rancher - December 31 - 6:32 pm

  This is my third Honda product. Previously Hondas were, a 90 Accord LX and a 95 Accord wagon. The wagon was my favorite all time car. It traveled all over the US for about 120,000 miles plus another 50,000 while being towed behind a motorhome. Id probably be driving it still but my wife attacked a tree with it. She survived the collision with no injury but the crash was fatal for the car. The CRV is everything the wagon was and more. Our driving style is about 60% rural, mountain roads, 20% Interstate and 20% city. Gas mileage overall is 27+ mpg. Should this CRV come to a bad end, it will be replaced with another CRV.

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  Overall happy except for rattles - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By haji - December 31 - 5:18 pm

  We have owned this car for 1.5 years. Fairly happy with it, no mechanical problems yet. It offers lots of room for the whole family including the in- laws. Rattles - the plastic panels along the outside vertical edge of the driver and passenger doors badly rattle at high speed(fix with body shop tape). Rear seats are difficult to access when childs seats are installed in middle row. The system informs how close you are to an oil change using the TPMS(tire pressure monitoring system) light comes and the engine light. The TPMS light should only come on when there is a problem with tire pressure and should not be used to communicate the need for an oil change - imho. Mileage is ok ~ 20mph

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  Still kickin at 127k - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Bluestar - December 30 - 11:53 pm

  Overall this van has been pretty good to us. We bought it new and had the transmission recall done immediately within a few months of buying I think. I have had the tranny fluid changed every 15k and flushed every 30k and never had a problem with it. The 3 stupid motor mounts needed to be replaced though at 90k covered under our 100k warranty thankfully. That seemed like a strange part to wear out. Rear main seal was leaking oil and just replaced at 120k. Engine has been bullet proof with just a timing belt/water pump service at 105k. We have been very satisfied with this vehicle.

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  Unreliable - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Eddie - December 30 - 10:46 am

  First problem was steering, they forgot to place oil in steering column causing creaking noise hard steering. Second, transmission slips since 15000 miles, was told to replace transmission fluid due to it being burned. I do no towing and drive normal, never had issues last 4 cars I owned. Third power steering pump has problems with air causing loud noise and fluid issues when cold. Heard there is TSB on this however Im out of warranty. MPG what expected, love van but mechanical issues Im not happy for I paid 32,000$. My 4 runner was much more reliable.

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  Ok so far - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Hard to please - December 30 - 7:53 am

  We picked up our new civic yesterday. I checked the mileage on the 141 mile trip home averaging 40.9 mpg driving at variable speeds from 50 to 75 mph on the freeway RPM under 3000. Are we happy? Yes! I like the gas mileage but it isnt a Camry in comfort and ride, but didnt expect it to be. The bad: we noticed a small ding on the truck lid, however very faint and we asked for a hundred off and got it so I shouldnt complain since I made the deal. I did noticed that the trunk lid isnt exactly centered. The door jams were dirty, and grease on the carpet mat that I ask the dealer to clean and they did. Other than than so far so good.