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:

• 

  A great car - 1999 Honda Civic
  By Jizeff - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I leased a 99 Honda Civic EX for three years. Just turned it in yesterday. I never had a single problem with it. Just one flat tire in three years. Only complaints are the cup holders, instrument panel lighting, and the so- so acceleration. It handles fairly well. Good visibility out the front and rear.

• 

  2002 crv - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By wkobryn - November 14 - 10:00 am

  We love our Honda CRV. A few things do bother us. We also took out our rear center head rest due to visability problems. Interior plastic shows all finger prints & smudge marks. and my biggest complaint is the fuel tank. it never takes more than 12 gallons of fuel. Instead of having a much higher cruising range we only get less than 275 total miles on a tankfull. I hate the constant gas tank fillups. My wife loves the crv and we would get another one if we had to do it over again. engine light had also come on in 2 instances.

• 

  Great vehicle for the price!!!! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By cnb2606 - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I have about to complete 1000 miles on my 2004 Silver Honda Pilot. I went with running boards, cargo organizer and exshaut finishers as accesories. So far we are having a great expericence.

• 

  After 40,000 miles... - 2003 Honda Civic
  By tlanci - November 11 - 10:00 am

  After 40,000 miles, my Hybrid is still a solid, comfortable ride. Not a performance vehicle, but a good commuter car. I have been somewhat disappointed in mileage compared to the ads/EPA. On my 80 mile round-trip flat highway commute (70-80mph) the car averages 38mpg. Slowing down really makes a difference, at 55 mph, it gets closer to 52mpg. Im still having fun learning to tweak the mileage, and I am slowing down. So far, great reliability, no mechanical problems at all.

• 

  So far so Great! - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Janine W. - November 10 - 4:02 am

  I had been on the hunt for a new car for several months (luckily my previous Escape had been running great so I had time to shop!). Moving from an SUV, I wanted something a little more fun to drive, with better fuel efficiency, but without sacrificing too much space. I had narrowed down my search to the Corolla, the Hyundai Elantra GT, and the HR-V (Yes, 3 very different cars, I know). After endless pros and cons lists, multiple test drives, reading every review on the web, and making myself insane meeting many different car salesmen, I finally opted for the higher investment with the HR-V. As soon as I made the decision I felt relief. Now having had the car for about a week, I have already packed it full for an art show and have a road trip schedule. This car is fantastic! A little sluggish on the pickup, the sport mode gives it a little more "oomph" to improve the driving experience. I really enjoy using the paddle shifters as well. The road noise is very quiet when in drive mode, but when in Sport mode, the CVT shifts a bit higher and is definitely a little louder, but still far quieter than my Escape was. I opted for the EX, as this option adds a moonroof, heated seats, and side view camera (when turning right) and only added about $2000 to the price. One thing I have noticed that Im not the fondest of, is the extreme lumbar support in the drivers seat. I think that, due to my small stature, this will take some getting used to. I also wish Honda offered a powered drivers seat option for the EX model (I dont think they even offer it for the EX-L either). In a nut shell, if your looking for something that drives like a car, gets great gas mileage, and has the capacity of a small SUV and will last you forever, this is the car!

• 

  Another 3 year review - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By IC-746PRO - November 10 - 2:22 am

  Keep tire pressure at whats printed on the door plate--key to low tire wear and decent fuel mileage. Light foot helps! Drove it for business-80% at 70mph hwy, 20% city--avgd 22mpg. Many trips to N. Cal & Az avgd 23-26 mpg at 70-80mph or so w/cruise on, not bad for a shipping container on wheels. 00&04 LX odys got 1 mpg more but were 300lbs lighter & both had the tranny whine. Noise at 1500rpm is engine lugging in high gear at low speed in my opinion. Road noise highly dependent on road surface texture. Honda does hold a patent on high road noise, however. Overall, the van has been a good value.

• 

  Good, but with reservations - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By tim d - November 9 - 11:15 pm

  Purchased new in 2007. Overall, vehicle has been pleasant to drive and very versatile for a family of 5. Little annoying stuff keeps happening. Chunkiness when the engine goes in/out of VCM. Engine pan fell off and dragged on the road. Cracked interior trim panels. Poor paint job (color doesnt match bumper-to-body and chips too easily). Dealer changed the trans fluid and left the dipstick out, which caused t-fluid to ruin the EPDM radiator hose. Battery failed (warranty). DVD player will not play anything but the best disks (why do kids need movies anyways, we never had that stuff). Even with the issues, probably the most versatile vehicle that money can buy.

• 

  2dr- 4cyl- 156k original owner - 2003 Honda Accord
  By seabass1224 - November 7 - 1:00 am

  Bought the car new in 03...racked up 156k miles since. Overall a great car, minus a few issues. Reliability is great only issue was a radio display that went out after 100k-Honda paid half. Engine still runs as smooth as when I bought the car. Great acceleration for a 4-banger. The bad: the rattles in the dashboard have been an ongoing issue since the car was new. Sounds like a tap-dancing gerbil lives in my dashboard...seats are pretty stiff, too. Overall, a very good car, minus the rattles. Still getting about 32 mpg- mostly highway. No issues with the manual transmission.

• 

  Great car for the money - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Tam - November 6 - 12:16 pm

  Paid $20,500 before tax for LXP model. Great car, really comfortable and quiet. No problem so far. One complaint , I can never get to around 31 mpg on highway. The best I can get on the highway is around 27 mpg

• 

  Old Reliable - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By LNMom - November 6 - 11:23 am

  I just passed 116K on my 2002 Odyssey. Still on original engine and transmission. Not a fancy van by any means, but great for our family. My husband actually likes driving it almost as much as his Lexus LS. Considering it is a minivan, it has great handling and is very comfortable. Lots of cargo space. Mostly minor repair issues like batteries and the struts on the liftgate. Otherwise, a really solid car.