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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  3rd Pilot, and loving it - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By audi40 - August 19 - 8:08 am

  Having owned both03 and 07 Pilot EXLs, my wife thought she wanted something "more luxurious" this time around. Took an Infiniti JX for a day-long test drive and was "luke warm" to it. Then drove an MDX which we both thought she would end up with - while she really liked the looks and handling, she didnt like that it lacked the interior space and storage of her previous Pilots (also didnt like the big swath of fake wood trim accross the dash). Last stop was to test drive a Pilot Touring model and purchased it that same day. Loved all the features in the Touring model and for 10% off MSRP, couldnt beat the value. 2 months and 1,500+ miles later, no problems and loving the new Pilot!

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  practical SUV for practical person - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By hafasa - August 18 - 3:39 pm

  Had my pilot for 2 years, excellent family SUV. very comfortable on long trips. no major issues. had 2 minor issues one with the side decoration in the back kept coming loose dealer ship replaced them, the other issue was with the AC ventilation system distribution motor stopped working and had to replace the motor which also covered by the warranty. My main concern about this vehicle is the braking stopping distance way to long and it become obvious after driving different SUVs or cars.

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  6 month review - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By njvtec - August 17 - 3:32 pm

  We replaced my wifes Porsche Cayenne S Titanium Edition with two VW Touaregs. Although the Touaregs are built on the same chassis they are worlds apart and we were very disappointed by the Touaregs and specifically the support or lack there of from the manufactures and dealers. With two children under the age of two we decided to look at minivans. Having owned and raced a number of Hondas over the years I didnt have to look much further then the Odyssey. We ended up leasing a new 2012 Odyssey (at a great rate thanks to Hondas great residual value). The Odyssey is a brilliant choice for anyone with children. Maybe its not as "cool" as a luxury SUV but it is way more practical.

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  Dis. Like. - 2009 Honda Accord
  By moitz - August 17 - 3:27 pm

  This is my fourth Honda, and the first one I dislike. Its overly large, poorly built, and does not live up to Hondas legendary reliability and build quality. The exterior is not unpleasant to look at, and with the EX V6, the sunroof, chrome trim, and rims dont detract. However, the interior is way too heavy on plasticy bits, the carpet feels cheap, and things rattle like a 1990s GM product. Too many buttons, etc. Performance-wise, the auto transmission is atrocious. Ive taken to manually shifting it when I need to get into 1st in a hurry. The gas mileage is awful (17 on a 70/30 city highway split, maybe 25 on the highway). However, the engine is smooth and powerful.

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  this econ model is built for MPG - 2012 Honda Civic
  By shotandabeer - August 17 - 12:52 pm

  All highway at 65 with a/c on = 42+mpg if you leave your foot off the gas and dont drive in a real hilly area. I love it. What value! Econ is fantastic for chinging shift points but you will slow down a bit on a hill - until yuo punch it or take off econ setting. I have seen 46 mpg at lower speeds on flat terrain in the summer and not using the gas pedal much. I got the "dumb" lease $189/mo. Dumb if you dont get one... for business travel. Also have a pilot and an accord - two other no brainers. Fantastic vehicles. get one!

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  first pilot ongoing updates - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By twowhldoug1 - August 15 - 3:45 pm

  Well.my wife has 3,6500miles on the pilot already and it has averaged 21.6 MPG.Not bad for its size.She is very happy with it and the only thing she is missing from her many Nissans is the inteligent key system.We are leaving soon to go to N.J.(we live in Chattanooga Tn) for a wedding.I guess we will really get to know the pilot on this trip.Instead of taking a pack of audio CDs to feed the bose I am carrying one jump drive.It has 665 songs on it.She has already gotten a flat tire but the tire warning system did its job and she knew before there was a danger.Myself I think it is a little sluggish but you cant have everything.Will update again after return.Should be about 3,000 mile trip

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  Five Hondas - All Problems - 2000 Honda Accord
  By redgemon - August 15 - 1:28 pm

  Unfortunaetely it has taken the purchase of four Honda Accords and one Civic to finally get me to decide to not buy Hondas any more. All of the Accords (years 1968, 1988, 1990 and 2000) have had major problems, and the Civic nickled and dimed me to death. My current 2000 Accord V6 developed transmission problems within one week after purchase. I did not buy the extended warranty because it took every penny I had to buy the car. The Honda Dealership I bought it from said theres nothing they can do because I bought the car "As Is." Now, I cant drive it, and need to save over $2000 to have the transmission rebuilt. I know some have great Honda stories, but mine are nightmares.

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  Great Car - 1998 Honda Civic
  By joegti10 - August 13 - 11:37 pm

  My sister bought it a few years old with very low miles and I picked it up off of her 7 years ago with 100K. Its still going strong at 201K with regular 3k oil changes. This is a northeast car where it battles large blizzards, oppressive heat and salt. Heres what has failed and replaced in the last 100k...it was pretty much flawless for the first 100k. I beat on it a bit, lol. Exhaust system (still has orig manifold), distributor cap, radiator, rear swing arm, front brakes a few times, rear brake line, drivers side power window motor, headliner issues, few sets of tires, relay issue with blinker, rear 02 sensor, clearcoat starting to peel. Otherwise its a great car...

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  Long-term relationship! - 2005 Honda Accord
  By sullins - August 13 - 10:27 pm

  This is the first car I ever bought brand new. I wanted to wait a year or so before I posted a review and wow does time fly! Seven years later I am proud to say I still own this car and it will hit 232,000 miles on my drive to work tomorrow. This has been an incredibly reliable car. Outside of the usual maintenance such as tires, oil changes and brakes, I have replaced nothing more than batteries (think I have bought two) and light bulbs...literally. With that said, Im awful on cars. I change the oil about every 10,000 miles & have never done scheduled maintenance (dealership stuff). Still has original timing chain & clutch. As a commuter, this has been the best car I could have bought!

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  Gutless Wonder - 2009 Honda Fit
  By diehard080 - August 13 - 8:50 pm

  I have to be honest . Its a car that I give 5 stars to from the standpoint of reliability ,which is the only similarity to my Honda motorcycles . Other than that its so slow it can get out of its own way . I am not being mean I just think that on my numerous trips to Japan thats where this cars belongs . It dosent handle in any inspiring way and have had the front assembly pop out on small curbs that I thought I barley creased? But I hung this pup into a turn that I was following others through and it felt like it was about to roll over . And it looks like a Mini-van lacking steriods . I sold it because I need to redline it thru every gear when going 2 work getting on the fwy. too embarrasi