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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  2017 CRV EX - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Dana Growden - September 8 - 11:17 am

  Absolutely a great vehicle. Everything is better than expected

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  So glad I got my Element - 2004 Honda Element
  By MED401 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I did a lot of homework and finally got my Element in April and it was worth every single test drive, review read and Consumer Report fax. This is one of the most comfortable and fun to drive vehicles I have owned. I am in the car a lot as I do home health and cover a 30-50 mile radius-and working out of this vehicle is a pleasure. Thank you to all the other Element owners who posted their thoughts-they helped me quite a bit in making my decision.

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  I wish we didnt buy it - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By 5052 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Our Honda has been in for engine noise. We like the vehicle. But we dont like the problems with engine ping. Between 2000 to 3000 rpms on stop and go driving.

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  WHAT HAPPANED TO HONDA QUALITY. - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By CAMRON - September 8 - 10:00 am

  OVER ALL HONDA PILOT IS AN AVERAGE SUV.HONDA COULD OF DONE A MUCH BETTER JOB BULIDING THIS SUV.FOR EXAMPLE,THEY COULD OF MADE THE INTERIOR MORE PLUSH,INSTEAD OF USING SO MUCH PLASTIC, THERE ARE NO SUN ROOF,CHEAP STEREO,NO OPTION ON 4X4 OR 2X4,SHIFTING GEAR GETS STUCK,DOOR HANDLES DO NOT MATCH THE COLOR OF THE VEHICLE.

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  Great car, love it - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Krystyna - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Great car, drives smooth and breaking is fantestic, its stops slowly. Lots of room inside.

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  Honda Hassle - 2004 Honda Civic
  By kflanagan - September 8 - 10:00 am

  One thing that no one mentions about this car is that you cannot roll the back window down because you get this tunneling effect. By this I mean, the wind is going through the car and you feel like you are going through a tunnel, your ears seem stopped up, the noise is really bad. Now that I have taken it to the dealership, they tell me that if you roll down another window - it eases the noise. That is not true because I tried that already. The cup holder does not come out so it is a pain to wash. The car runs great and I love the savings on the gas - especially now that prices have gone up.

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  Great Car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By TwitchyHamster - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Buying experience was very pleasent and even though Ive only drove the car for 2 days now, I can honestly say that I am in love with it. The ride is smooth as a babys bottom, and extremely quiet. The features and "toys" of the particular package I got, are just simply wonderful. The Nav system as well as the XM sat radio are just "FUN" to use and work with. I live in south Florida and the AC is awesome.

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  Great Vehicle, But One Complaint - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Mitchell Pak - September 8 - 8:20 am

  We purchased an 03 Odyssey EX-L in June of 2005. It was practically new (6000 miles). So far, we have put nearly 3000 miles on it, including a family trip to Pennsylvania, and it has been absolutely perfect. My only complaint with the Odyssey is that the interior is a little rattly. When the road is somewhat bumpy, quite common in NYC, the interior shimmies and shakes and rattles. I had a 97 Accord once and it never rattled like that. I dont know whether this is endemic with minivans or just my vehicle. Otherwise, its a great vehicle, fun to drive, plenty of power and with numerous amenities. Typical Honda. I rate it 8 out of 10 overall.

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  Best Hybrid on the Market - 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By A - September 7 - 1:13 am

  Im in love with my Accord Hybrid for one reason - It drives and feels like any other Honda Accord. I read a ton of reviews about this car prior to purchasing especially regarding the fuel economy. The fuel economy all comes down to how you drive. Im averaging 48.7 mpg after 17k miles on the car. The car does OK in true traffic, but it really shines in stop/go ish traffic on highways at low speeds. I live in DC and this car does exceedingly well in the traffic conditions here. With that said - it does not perform well on long highway trips (drove to FL and got 37mpg). Overall this is a car that drives like any other Honda Accord and I could not be happier with my purchase. Almost three years in, still the best bar Ive owned. Only issue is that they had to replace the audio unit at 30k miles.

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  I love my AMERICAN built Honda - 2002 Honda Civic
  By EEErock - September 7 - 12:47 am

  While there are a few features of the Civic that still need refining overall I think youll find that this is a great car for the money. I didnt buy the car to get rid of it I bought it because I knew it would be reliable and last a LONG TIME. Has it been reliable? At 67,000 miles performance is nothing less than flawless. My fuel economy is outstanding even with slight motor modification (40mpg hwy). Im amazed at the lack of maintainance this thing requires - it just keeps going. The improvement suggestions below are significant but overly picky when you consider the price of the car.