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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  AWSOME - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I love this thing. The day after I got it I had to pull an Explorer out of the mud.

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  Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This is most definatly the best SUV on the market in this price range

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  GREAT SUV - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Jose M - October 31 - 10:00 am

  HONDA HIT A HOMERUN WITH THIS PILOT

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  Best Suv There Is - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By coolio13 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is a supurb car. It handles of road situations very well. The engine is finely tuned and fells likea sportscar. The interior is spacious and well thought out. Like the eight passenger seating. And best of all its a honda. I am very pleases with my purchase.

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  never dies - 1994 Honda Accord
  By UberRealiable - October 31 - 3:21 am

  Bought car with 204k. All parts seemed to be original, except radiator and timing belt. Car now has 220k on it and has been treated to a new clutch slave master cylinder to keep the pollution low in the driveway. New muffler at 215k replaced honda factory equipment. I know of at least 10 I have seen from this year which have exceeded 200k. Heard of a guy with over a million on his 94. Overall I am very impressed with this car. Even with the little 4 cylinder engine, just as reliable as Ford Triton V-10

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  Seats do not "Fit" - they cause back pain! - 2016 Honda Fit
  By AT - October 31 - 12:04 am

  Bad seats - too soft, flat backs without any lumbar support. The seats are like sitting on a memory foam marshmallow without support. The side bolsters are squishy and do not provide support. Be very, very certain that your back is comfortable in the seats of this car before you buy or lease! I would suggest a 30-60 minute test drive to be certain. I am not tall - I am only 5’4” and 130 pounds, but these seats are not capable of providing support to my small body. I took three test drives of the 2016 Honda Fit. Each was the typical 10-15 minute test drive. I thought I liked the car - it seemed comfortable and like a peppy little fuel efficient car. Except that it is noisy - but I thought I could live with the noise. One test drive was one day, the other two test drives were about a month later on the day I leased the car. Then the worst thing possible happened. The next day after signing my lease papers my back started to hurt. The following day it hurt even more. I only have a 20-minute driving commute, but that is enough for the soft, squishy Honda Fit seats to do their damage. I tried various aftermarket lumbar cushions without success. They either did not work or pushed me too far forward over the edge of the seat. So I could not use any of them. Honda’s customer service department was unwilling to help - since it is not something under warranty. It is just a design defect. An acceptable design flaw. One that your back will suffer with as long as you own the car! My only solution - my wonderful wife is able to drive the car without back pain. So we have swapped cars, and now we are both unhappy with that situation but at least neither of us has back pain. This is our fourth and final Honda. When this lease ends, no more Hondas for us! Just say “NO” to Honda. Friends don’t let friends drive a Honda Fit.

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  Great Car - 1997 Honda Accord
  By Nelle - October 30 - 10:26 pm

  I have had this car for almost 5 yrs and it drives great! This is my 2nd Honda Accord and they really last. I may pruchase a 2003 shortly. This car is great for a person with a child and limited amount of funds to work with. Only problems I had was my radiator went-just wear and tear.

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  Unmatched Reliability - 1999 Honda Civic
  By Syed - October 30 - 9:52 pm

  This is the best car that I have ever bought it has over 100,000 miles and it still drives like new! It requires minimum maintenance while at the same time giving the driver excellent fuel economy and performance! And oh yeah it was also rated the best looking car in its class!

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  Car Review - 1998 Honda Accord
  By jason803 - October 30 - 5:58 pm

  I bought this car in sept. 05 with 72K on it. So far i have had no real problems with the exception of the cd player keeps sayin P-EO to brand new cds. the engine check light stays on a little longer than i like. Is this Normal?.. the paint is very easy to chip off took a chunk off with the nozzle at car wash.. Over all it has not let me down it took me cross country with no problems... Its a Honda ... Hope what say is true hondas last forever.

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  nice suv worst gas millage of all time - 2000 Honda Passport
  By joshkl - October 30 - 3:23 pm

  I love the car but we are only getting like 12-13 miles to the gallon. I have had everything checked out on it and nothing is wrong (so they say) but other than that it is a decent vehicle.