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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  Disappointed in my 5th Honda - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Potterybuy - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my 5th honda and it will likelybe my last! The quality has steadily declined. The leather seats sag and Honda is unconcerned! The interior plastic the use is so easily dented that the seat belt retractor has dented the door post repeatedly. There are numerous raddles and ticking noises. The gas mileage is around 16MPG which is below expectations. I think the changes the name on the old Honda quality to Acura and they dont care about their original brand!

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  Fine SUV - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Rogers - April 8 - 10:00 am

  Overall the Honda Pilot sure beats the 2000 Toyata SR% I traded in for it. Seating is excellant for tall drivers and the visibility is outstanding. Fast, smooth and handles great at Interstate speeds with pleanty of reserve for passing. Miliage is consistantly 20 aroound town and 23-25 on the Interstates. Very stable in high winds. Outstanding for the price.

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  Honda CR-V LX - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By BeauxArts - April 8 - 10:00 am

  After 4 months of ownership, I am dissapointed to have two recalls. Along with that, my rear hatch activatior is weak and needs to be replaced. My previous car I had for 10 years, with nary a recall. I shutter to think what other recalls are down the line.

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  A GOOD SURPRISE - 2003 Honda Accord
  By vO - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I VE NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD BUY A HONDA ACOORD, BUT WHEN I TRIED IT I KNEW THAT IT WAS THE GOOD ONE

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  Just Bought my first Honda :-))) - 2004 Honda Accord
  By bob ffrom CT - April 8 - 10:00 am

  After considering the Passat and the option to buy a used BMW, Audi, etc. I settled on the 2004 Accord EX/V-6. I just picked it up this weekend. It came in PERFECT condition. XM radio is great. I bought it from Metro Honda in RI - GREAT place to buy a car - straight talk and honest! It has all of the bells and whistles one could ask for and is VERY reasonably priced. (Not to mention the good feeling knowing that there are 8 airbags in it - just in case). The V-6 really moves this machine! Safety, good performance and good price - what else could I ask for!

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  Love This CAR! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By SAM - April 8 - 9:33 am

  Got rid of my 2006 AUDI A6 and bought this. Thousands of dollars cheaper! Runs better than AUDI A6 - Better Mileage + more HP. Bought last week ( 10/14/2008 ) 2008 Accord v6 at $5000 below MSRP and LOVE IT!

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  Disappointing Fuel Economy - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Josh - April 8 - 7:15 am

  Its a great looking car, especially at night with the LED taillights. I want to like it, and I do for the most part. I just havent bonded with it like I did my last two Hondas. There isnt anything objectively wrong with it, I just dont feel a connection to it. Its just a car to me, one that I wont be sad to get rid of. The fuel economy is not what I had hoped for. Im averaging just 24 MPG with mixed driving. Hopefully it will get better when I put more miles on it. The seats are not quite as comfortable as on the 2016 Civic, but theyre not bad. Having Apple CarPlay is a fantastic feature that I wouldnt want to go without, but it does take quite a while to start up when compared to other vehicles Ive tried it on. The back seats are comfortable enough for short trips, and the trunk is huge. A couple of things I dont like: There is a fair bit of wind noise that sounds like its coming from the door seal right next to my ear. There is no volume knob. Not the biggest thing in the world because it does have volume controls on the steering wheel. Still, Id rather have one. Im also not a big fan of the glossy black trim on the inside. It scratches easily and always looks smudged.

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  Nice to drive, on road and off - 1999 Honda Passport
  By SoCalKath - April 8 - 2:20 am

  Ive had this passport for over 2 years, and it has not disappointed me. Ive done all the routine maintenance, and it has done everything Ive asked it to. I drive offroad and a lot of highways, lately. While Im not into really roughing it, I like to take rides into the desert in the winter. This is what I consider a real "ladylike" SUV (for me at least) - it looks nice, is easy to handle, I can run it through the mud, and then after a car wash, drive it to the office all week. Nice.

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  Accord Ex V-6 - 2004 Honda Accord
  By spaceinvader - April 7 - 6:40 pm

  Car is a significant improvement over the 2000 V-6 model, which is also a fine car. The 04 model is more refined, more powerfull, better fuel economy and has more nice features. Avg. MPG in mixed driving for last three tanks is 27 to 28. About 2 mpg better than the 2000 model.

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  Avoid the 2016 Touring at all costs. - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Preston Hitchens - April 7 - 3:51 pm

  The problem with this car is in the center, software driven console. I have had to learn how to pull the fuse in my Civic, because every 30 days there is a problem. I have had my car since January, and I have had it to the dealer twice, and I have reset the radio twice. The car is sitting in my driveway right now with a rattle in the subwoofer and an audio deck that wont turn off. I have had the cars software updated in accordance with the issued TSB, no relief. Dealer just has the stupid look on their face every time I take it back. I am actually thinking about selling the car--it only has 2,000 miles on it. The aggravation is not worth it. The Adaptive Cruise Control works, but is somewhat slow to respond. The rain sensing wipers work in name only. In general the worst car I have ever owned. I cant imagine keeping this for five years. Disappointing at best.