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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  Great Civic - 2008 Honda Civic
  By andrew dansereau - March 16 - 12:30 am

  I have near 5000 miles on the EX-L Civic. This is a luxury compact sedan with plenty of room. Everything from the heated seats the dash display, the quality that Honda put into this car does make it a luxury compact. Best mpg so far 42! No need to slam the door closed, it closes with the sound of quality! I am totally amazed every time I get into this car. Can you say Swiss watch.

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  Pilot EX/Nav 2006 - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By christian - March 16 - 12:26 am

  We purchased this vehicle early this December. With 700 mles, our front windsheld water pump stopped working. The Pilot had to stay 2 days in the shop. We purchased this Pilot for my wife so she does not have to worry about mechanical problem. I took her Honda Accord, which has 38K and sold my Honda Civic. We purchase one Honda per 2 year since 1997 in average.

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  Awesome toy - 2001 Honda S2000
  By NE BlkS2K Owner - March 15 - 1:27 pm

  This is my 2nd car, so complaints like, weak stero and lack of passenger/trunk space, dont really apply for me. I wanted a classic sports car(convertible, rear-wheel drive, great handling, light weight, great power-to-weight ratio and good looks) and I got it without paying stupid money. Great 2nd car!!!

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  Defect - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Zoe deYoe - March 15 - 12:13 pm

  Love this car, very satisfying all the way around. Im older, in Michigan; I love how it goes in the snow and how much more practical it is, and easier to get in and out of, than my sedan. Big defect though going over tarstrips and bumps while braking sometimes--a kick back, knock, clunk . . . not so much a noise as a feeling in the pedal like dropping a tray of tools, kind of mechanical take-up or loose assembly coming under tension (hard to describe). Took it in right after new and they found nothing; clunking persisted; wrote Honda in case there was a known problem; they said take it back to shop; shop couldnt find anything; wrote to Honda to report shop couldnt fix and said Id monitor it for six weeks and report; no reply; six weeks are about up and have had many significant occurrences; will report to Honda. What will they do? They say three times they cant fix it, its lemon. Do they take my word for it? Will they have an engineer keep it a while? Do they have some way to resolve this defective mechanical problem? The car is a joy but dealing with this complication sure has taken a lot of joy out of ownership of a brand new car. UPDATE: I worked closely with Honda America but they explained a Catch-22 of HRV ownership: They do not diagnose defects that their computer program doesnt recognize. Thus defects such as the brake kick back problem found in many HRVs are acknowledged as existing but not addressed or covered, and owners simply "got a bad one." Honda urges owners of such defective HRVs to keep an eye open for recalls--indicating they have developed repair protocols.

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  Very Pleased - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Ron H - March 15 - 6:30 am

  We are very pleased with our Honda. It is the greatest van we have ever owned. Very comfortable. Love the spaciousness inside, the rear seats that fold intothe floor, and the power doors. We travel very often with six adults and everyone talks about how comfortable it is.

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  Very nice car - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By TomR - March 15 - 5:19 am

  I love my prelude. I has very good performance stock. Also you can buy many upgrades to get more power. Its pretty comfortable, sometimes my back starts to ache but maybe its just me cause im 63". Fuel economy is good but im always in vtec so it sucks up gas. Its very fun to drive just becareful for popo. Interior is plain stock but that will be fixed with some new seats. Builty quality is good and its very reliable. I only had 1 prob with tranny. I think it was a faulty part

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  A must look see for Honda Lovers - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By ikudbne1 - March 15 - 12:26 am

  For those of you that have wanted a truck but hesitated because a truck bed is not convienient for day to day around town shopping/groceries type activities, then this is the truck for you! The in bed trunk solves all your problems and it comes with the Honda Quality and attention to detail on top of it all!

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  Lots of Good Stuff - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Rajkumar - March 14 - 4:00 am

  Driving the 8th Generation Driving Machine is not too smooth (like Altima or Camry) but feels the same good old Accord (the manly drive feel). Lots of power in the new machine at 2600 RPM I made 80 MPH (of course more power) than the previous Accords. Wonderful to drive.

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  Spectacular Car - 1994 Honda Prelude
  By Dw - March 14 - 2:40 am

  The reputation of this car speaks for itself, I searched high and low before deciding on this one, and looked at all the usual suspects (Eclipse, F-Body), as well as more specailzed sports cars (300ZX, MR2, SVX). No other car could match the Prelude as far as performance and reliablity, the MR2 was my second choice, but I need at least some backseat.

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  Should be called a GLC - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By fotoefek - March 13 - 5:05 pm

  The Mazda GLC stold the name for this car. Its the best all around vehicle since sliced bread. Decent mileage, good handling, decent power and never let me down. Plenty of room for 4 and stuff. I plan to buy another when or if this one wears out.