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 good for me! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By guest - November 28 - 2:46 am

  Purchased a Honda Accord V6 due to the reviews. This car has been the worst new car I have ever bought. Been to the shop 3 times for the coil replacement, 1 time for a new injector pump, 5 times for door and dash rattles and brakes at 26000 miles. No more Hondas for me. The dealer has been great to me but the car has been a poor choice!

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  Why not perfect - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jack riley - November 26 - 2:40 pm

  The car is good. I dont understand that a car maker with so much experience has not realized that the headroom is too low. They improved to make the car wider and longer, but failed to recognize to improve on the headroom like Toyota and other car manufacturers did. Thats too bad , because now we have to wait another 10 years for the next model change.

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  Cost of Maintaining is crazy! - 1996 Honda Accord
  By MMH - November 20 - 2:00 am

  Burns oil faster then gas (Broken ring $3000) Timing belt at 100,000 miles $400. Universal joints $400. Get a Saturn (Steel Timing belt). when useing the drink holder forget about using the casset player. Lights are way under par mosture-fog over, Tempature control involves opening window, Parking break button sticks, Oil cap almost impossible to remove without burning fingers, Bogs down on hills with curse control on, The trunk is way to small and laying the back seats down involves trying to hold a spring lock key open while pulling the seat down?, Poor rear visabiliy, Crappy radio, and you will bump your head getting in. HONDA ALL HYPE!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Efficiency? - 2005 Honda Accord
  By mky05 - November 17 - 11:06 pm

  Our initial reaction to this car has been serious disappointment at the poor fuel economy. After 8k miles were averaging slightly over 26mpg, certainly nothing impressive. On a positive note the car is quite fast and a serious improvement for day to day driving when compared to the early model prius and insight weve also owned. Still we bought it with expectations itd be fuel efficient for our mostly highway driving. It hasnt lived up. Prius in the future

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  no more honda - 2008 Honda Accord
  By jacek - November 11 - 10:36 am

  Not as good as was the 2000 Accord. After 9,000 miles noise in the engine. Keyless entry not working. Dont like Honda no more no more no more

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  LEMON, Do Not Buy!!!!!!! - 2001 Honda Civic
  By njbeasst - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with my car. i have had the drives side seat track replaced 3 times, the front end of the car has always made noise and Honda tells me i have to live with it. They tell me its normal for brakes to make noise. I understand this, but it not only makes noise while i am braking it also makes noise while i am turning and going over bumps. I have had the drivers side front strut replaced, the bushings in the front replaced the first week i had the car.

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  Good Car but lousy stereo and too much wind noise - 2013 Honda Accord
  By denslayer - November 3 - 11:44 pm

  I like driving this car but its the small things that tend to make a difference . First the so called " premium" sound system sounds Horiible . I dont know how you can mess up 7 speakers with a sub but honda has . To make matters worse the active noise cancelation feature makes it near impossible to upgrade . The wind noise coming from the driver and passenger windows . It literally sounds like your window is open a crack. Honda has a TSB about the wind issues but the dealers are cluless on how to fix it. Internet forums have pages upon pages of people complaining about these same issues . Do your research and drive your car at freeway speeds and bring your fav cd with you

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  new lights old car - 2017 Honda Accord
  By jhid123 - November 1 - 5:55 am

  I think it is time for real redesign, 2017 Accord is in reality 2013 Accord with poor quality materials that Honda started using two years ago. They just replaced front and rear lights, added some chrome details and call it newly redesigned... In general the car is OK, all the options are the same, as other cars in this price range, if you did not have Honda before you would not notice the difference. Back in 2015 Honda changed seats and its material, so in 2017 it is the same uncomfortable seats, they dont care about multiple complains, all over the internet, about driver seat comfort. 2017 got one more issue comparing to previous years: phone link is horrible. You can change phone setting hundred of times but it will not copy your address book. It displays message and claiming that it is been copied, but nothing is happening in reality. The same problem with text messages, your car will not react to text (no notification) and will not read them as previous one use to do. Honda is claiming new sporty look, but downgraded tires to Firestone Affinity (they use to install them on cheaper Civic). How can you have "nice ride" with such a horrible tires. One good think about those tires is fuel efficiency, but road handling is below average. Every day I see a lot of people driving Accord around me, so I assume the price is right for such a quality.

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  Dont have an accident in this vehicle - 2000 Honda Passport
  By sdcausa - October 30 - 2:00 am

  All I can say is do everything you can to avoid having a front end collision with this vehicle. The bumper and hood must be made of tin foil the way they fold up in a low impact collision. We rear ended another car at less than 10 miles per hour and sustained more than $5,000 in damage. The hood folded up like a taco. Were selling this vehicle based on saftey issues.

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  2017 Pilot - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Bob Lukas - October 28 - 12:33 pm

  There are better values for price and standard equipment if you do not need a vehicle as big as the Pilot.