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:

• 

  Love My Pilot - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By brucebro - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Pilot for three months and have fallen in love with its handling, comfort and features. In those three months, living in Upstate NY, Ive been able to experience springlike driving conditions back in November, to downright ugly (its -16 degrees right now) winter conditions and Ive been impressed with both.

• 

  honda - 2001 Honda Accord
  By juny - November 1 - 2:00 am

  excellent car, comfortable, nice interior, like that all is power, runs smooth, fully loaded, has everything wanted

• 

  Silver Paperweight - 2002 Honda Civic
  By PDBob - November 1 - 2:00 am

  ItÂ’s a good car, but more like Ford than Honda. Picked it over Elantra for reliability and crash test data, Elantra more comfy & powerful, better stereo, & $3-4K less. Handling sucks (drive a new Corolla). Window regulators shouldnÂ’t break from normal use. Paint chipped after 100 miles! Only gets 25MPG! Headlights dim when driving. Trunk dumps water inside when opened (from lights on trunk). Gas & brake petals too close, knee hits steering wheel. Right foot needs more room (have big feet, bigger shoes). Headrest makes better door than window, blocks rear view. Sun visor clip too tight. Driver door creaks. Ridiculous oil change procedure.

• 

  Fun and well priced. A drivers car. - 2003 Honda Civic
  By mugen00 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the privilidge of driving many cars from Geos to Ferraris and NSXs. The Si is hands down one of the most fun and solid-feeling cars I have driven. It feels like its on rails. Picked mine up for $16k and would do it all over again if I had to. Its Reliability, fun factor, efficiency, and performance far overshadow its few shortcomings. After having had 4 other Hondas I considered other makes, but few lived up to my 98 Prelude that I was replacing. For anyone looking for a new car I would highly recommend you at least look at this car.

• 

  Great car - 2004 Honda Civic
  By ngagun - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I recently bought an 04 Civic LX coupe and I am very pleased with it so far. I bought the car at Honda of Hollywood, where the staff were friendly and helpful -- the bargaining was hard but fair, and I came away with a great deal. The Civic is one of the great cars of our time!

• 

  Not that good! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Brenda Starr - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Started out at 44-45 mpg; after 5,000 gets avg.of 34.Im disappointed. I do even mix of city & hiway. Flat out on open hiway gets 45. Low profile body is a disaster. Constant scrapes. Fenders pop out if bumped. Dealer has checked many times and tells me its my driving, and that it "has to be babied". I wish I had bought a Toyota!

• 

  Forget about IS300/350Z/G35!!! Get theV6 - 2003 Honda Accord
  By XXShawnXX - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I have read 300+ reviews on this car, in addition to the countless reviews on the cars I have listed in the title of my review. This car is one of the most reliable, fastest, stylish, comfortable, cost-efficient, and ALL AROUND fun car to drive among its peers. Sure, there is no such thing as a perfect car for less than $25k, and you should take that into consideration, but the V6 Accord comes in #1 in my book. Honda exceeded expectations with this Euro-type luxury car for half the price!!! Go get one.

• 

  Satin Silver EX V6 6speed Manual - 2003 Honda Accord
  By repeatcustomer - November 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is a thrill to drive, its hard to get out of it. Honda builds great cars and backs them up with exceptional service. After driving my car nonstop for 3 months I finally stopped long enough to take it in to complain about a nick in the dash, a bubble in the clear coat of the rear spoiler, and discoloration in the plastic in rear seat. All of these defects were minor and couldve easily been caused by me. I went to dealer expecting a fight because I had waited so long to complain. They replaced all 3 pieces no questions asked....and gave me a loaner!

• 

  Fantastic Car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By licrisisfe - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Get this car. Its super quick. The manual transmission is very precise and smooth. Very nice interior, Super quiet engine, very quietride. Sporty suspension but definitely not harsh...but not floaty either..just right. Great stereo. Love the dual auto climate control and heated seats.

• 

  Not Your Fathers Honda! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By hitobito - October 31 - 8:16 pm

  I have nearly 600 miles on my 2006 HAH with Nav and its been very impressive. I averaged 31.4 MPG on a 275 mi. R/T and the vehicle performance was astonishing. The ride quality was very good, acceleration was surprisingly excellent and the Navigational system was intuitive, very useful and user friendly. Honda should have included an iPod interface and passenger side automatically adjustable seat with lumbar support. The "fit and finish" of this vehicle was flawless.This is definitely a car to enjoy and feel good about!