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:

• 

  New - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Byron - August 6 - 5:30 am

  Pilot has smooth ride and tons of room - plenty of head and leg room for a 65" driver. We are extremely satisfied with our purchase.

• 

  Impulse buy but still smart! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By HItoCA - August 6 - 1:23 am

  I was on my way to Costco for milk when I saw this car, test drove it, and bought it on impulse, it replaced a 2004 Scion xB. I love the ext/int styling but wish the trunk was a lil bigger for boxes. love the interior, however, beige gets dirty so easily. Great Handling, Amazing brakes, awesome stereo, love the aux input. I wish i wouldve opted for the updated pkg with nav/bluetooth/trunk opener/sun roof. One thing, I get a weird rattling from my trunk, and my front left brake had a piece melt off of it, but it was replaced/fixed instantly by Honda no questions asked. Great purchase and I cant wait for the 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid! I average about 475 Miles per tank

• 

  Excellent daily transportation - 2010 Honda Accord
  By boston0259 - August 4 - 11:50 pm

  I have had no problems with this car. Bought it with a certified warranty and only 2,350 miles on the odometer, this car has now taken me over 230,000 miles without any significant repair other than a replacement wheel bearing and standard maintenance like oil, tires, and wiper blades. Easy to drive, good acceleration for a 4 cylinder car. i have no reason to sell this car any time soon. Every time I go in for an oil change, the salesperson will ask me if Id like to look at a new one. My response "No, Honda should not have built such a reliable car. It doesnt help your sales business"

• 

  Excellent daily transportation - 2010 Honda Accord
  By boston0259 - August 4 - 11:50 pm

  I have had no problems with this car. Bought it with a certified warranty and only 2,350 miles on the odometer, this car has now taken me over 230,000 miles without any significant repair other than a replacement wheel bearing and standard maintenance like oil, tires, and wiper blades. Easy to drive, good acceleration for a 4 cylinder car. i have no reason to sell this car any time soon. Every time I go in for an oil change, the salesperson will ask me if Id like to look at a new one. My response "No, Honda should not have built such a reliable car. It doesnt help your sales business"

• 

  Excellent daily transportation - 2010 Honda Accord
  By boston0259 - August 4 - 11:50 pm

  I have had no problems with this car. Bought it with a certified warranty and only 2,350 miles on the odometer, this car has now taken me over 230,000 miles without any significant repair other than a replacement wheel bearing and standard maintenance like oil, tires, and wiper blades. Easy to drive, good acceleration for a 4 cylinder car. i have no reason to sell this car any time soon. Every time I go in for an oil change, the salesperson will ask me if Id like to look at a new one. My response "No, Honda should not have built such a reliable car. It doesnt help your sales business"

• 

  Very happy w/ my Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By mullins4 - August 4 - 9:53 pm

  Have 200 miles on my Touring Odyssey and love it so far! Great features for the kids---DVD is wonderful! Navigation requires some experimentation but is very handy. Overall design is very user-friendly and well-planned. Getting about 21-22 MPG... better than my Expedition! Would improve on some things but it is a great vehicle... quite expensive but you get a lot for the money. Got mine for about 5% over invoice... so they are dealing... did all dealing over the net and did $500 better than in person at my local dealership. Drove 2 hours to get the color and model I wanted but was definitely worth it! Dont let the dealers push the silver & red, those seem to be the most plentiful. Drives great!!!

• 

  enjoying the ride - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By me - August 4 - 6:23 pm

  I did my homework before purchase, looked at car review sites as well as consumer reviews so did not have any unexpected surprises, for eg. Expected some road noise, gas mileage ok but not great.

• 

  Strong, fast, and drives well, but... - 2007 Honda Accord
  By OnBudgetTraveler - August 4 - 4:40 pm

  I have the very mixed feelings about this car. I like how it drives. The steering is precise, cornering perfect, acceleration great. The transmission is fine when accelerating, but jerky in slow driving. It up-shifts when it is not really needed. Inside, everything is located logically, easy to use. CD player and FM are good but XM is not. I don’t like climate control because AC and heating are used together for defogging and windshield vents are too noisy. There are intermittent rattles that come in, disappear, and come back again. Suspension of Accord is “sporty” (bumpy). In overall, I am not completely happy with my Accord. I feel like I drive an oldie car but I still rate it high.

• 

  what a great car! - 2001 Honda Accord
  By jmalave - August 4 - 12:20 pm

  For the price if you can live without power windows and locks is the best deal Honda has in the Accord. I also have a 2000 SE and sure it is great to have antilock brakes but the VP is all I need.

• 

  A Great Buy - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Phil Garcia - August 4 - 4:50 am

  Overall the Civic is simply a great buy! I bought an 2006 EX model and have been very impressed with this vehicle. Awesome fuel economy and great design. The ride is bumpier than I expected, and this is my only complaint.