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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  Cracked Engine Block - 2006 Honda Civic
  By stp44122 - September 24 - 7:51 am

  This WAS a fun car to own, but Im not buying another Honda. Ive had this since January 2006 putting 71,000 miles (95% highway) on the vehicle. I followed all oil changes, all servicing AT THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. There is a TSB, 08-044 where they admit that all 2006, 2007, 2008 Civic Sedans have this design or casting flaw AND YOUR ENGINE WILL CRACK! Its just a matter of time. Hopefully it will be during the warranty (as most have been), and youll get your engine replaced. If not, youre in my boat, called the DOT, State Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, and Honda trying to get their design or casting flaw fixed. Ive never had to replace a Toyota engine.

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  MY ACCORD - 2000 Honda Accord
  By SPAA - September 23 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BUILT CARS, AND THE MOST RELIABLE. 3 YEARS NOT ONE PROBLEM.

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  CRV or Bust!! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By irishgal - September 21 - 5:44 pm

  Ok...so its a smaller SUV but our family of four LOVE the CRV. Really. Turn radius is super, comfortable, verrrry reliable and fun/easy to drive! Gas mileage is about 22 hwy. 18 or so city. Good storage room in back. Weve had 5 people (2 adults/3 kids) and theyre not squished. There are no blind spots, either. Important for me!!

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  Slips, Slides and Sucks Gas - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Rick - September 21 - 1:43 pm

  Bought this vehicle about 1.5 years ago. At first we liked it. It has a very comfortable car-like ride and is fun to drive. Only mechanical problem to date has been a failed battery, which Honda has a problem with. However, when winter came our opinion changed drastically. If you have to drive in winter conditions this vehicle can be downright dangerous. The tires have no grip at all and we felt like we were taking our lives in our hands driving it back and forth to work. My wife refused to drive it and took my Corolla! We are going to have to spend $1000.00 on new tires before somebody gets killed in this thing. The Honda dealer will do nothing about it. Also it sucks gas like a Hummer

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  Great Value, deceptive fuel mileage - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By dollar_savvy - September 21 - 1:26 pm

  I have had my 09 pilot, touring, 4WD since May 2009 now. We love the interior space with 8 seats. We do not like the plastic on dash board and the whitish center console backing. The Handling can use a lot of work but its a Honda, I guess they think that I will be spending another $20k to make it look/feel like a BMW anyways so why bother. :-) I really did not think that their EPA mileage will be that much off. It says 16/20/18 (city/highway/combined avg), but I am getting just about 250 miles for a full tank of gas, thats about 12/MPG. WOW!!!!

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  Brake Problems - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Disappointed - September 20 - 12:53 pm

  2006 Civic LX 4Dr Auto. The car ran and handled well. Gas mileage was a little disappointing because the most I got with a highway/city driving ration of 80/20 was 32 mpg. On average I received about 28-30 mpg. My biggest issue with this vehicle was that I had to replace the front brake pads at 7,700 miles and again at 13,500 miles along. The second time the pads were replaced, the rotors had to be replaced as well. I drove mostly freeway miles and I find this unacceptable. After speaking with American Honda and the dealership (the dealer was excellent), they said I should expect to only get between 8k-10k miles out of each pair. I have since sold the car.

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  Good Car - 1997 Honda Accord
  By RaLpH - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I just wanted to say that this is a great car. Im 16 yrs old and happy to be driving a honda accord. These are the best cars ever, they run forever, Very Good Quality!

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  VTEC ACCORD - 2002 Honda Accord
  By steve vue - September 20 - 2:00 am

  BOUGHT A NIGHTHAWK BLACK 02 ACCORD 4 CYCL. 1ST OWN BRAND NEW CAR. ONLY HAD 17K ON IT. RUNS GREAT ON HIGHWAYS AND CITIES. SMOOTH TRANSMISSION. GREAT EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGN. LOVE THE STEERING WHEEL VOLUME AT THE FINGER TIP. AC IS GREAT. STEREO SOUND WITH 6 CD/CASSETTE IS BETTER THAN MOST OUT THERE. GAS MILEAGE IS GREAT! GREAT SERVICE AT FAMILY HONDA. BLACK EXTERIOR COLOR SHOWS EVEN THE SLIGHTEST SCRATCH AS A RESULT NEED TO WASH 2X A MONTH. AFTERMARKET PARTS ARE EASY TO FIND.

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  I like it but - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By emil Dandrea - September 19 - 9:49 am

  Mine actually makes a "choofing" sound when depressing accelerator. When taking foot off accelerator it seems to stay in lower gear and feels like you have the break on, like changing down a gear to slow down like it never got out of low gear. Display on dash does not show much info, I would like outside temp and music tracks playing. Pretty much blank screen unless adjusting settings.

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  Good car for the money - 2012 Honda Accord
  By Mjm43ktm - September 19 - 1:26 am

  I have put 78k trouble free miles on this car since I bought it brand new. I do my own engine oil and transmission oil changes. I live in a hilly area so I put new rear brakes on at about 65k miles. One of the tires had sidewall damage so l replaced them at 75k miles. The tires still had tread left. The car handles well, but the suspension is firm so if you drive on bumpy roads it will give a rough ride. The four cylinder engine is smooth and quiet in every day driving, but will accelerate hard if you put your foot to the floor. This is the last year of the five speed automatic transmmission. I like the firm seat foam but the fabric could be better quality. I get 35 mpg going 70 mph on long trips, and I get 25-27 in town. I did make a 5 hour trip on state routes with a 55 mph speed limit and I got 42 mpg! This car looks good and is a great value. Comfortable for four adults. It has a huge trunk.