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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  Sporty, Roomy, Confy, Reliable!!!! - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By jmelohio - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I had this minivan eyed for sometime, this is my 4th Honda. Now that I have kids, this is the way to go. I had an SUV (Honda Passport), compared the Pilot and decided on the Oddy. Add the Fog Lights as I did, great add on(not cheap but useful, great visibility). It is a reliable vehicle, solid built, quiet ride, very sporty feeling when driving on the highway. Its responsive too.

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  GOODRIDE - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By FRED STALEY - April 19 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS OUR FOURTH HONDA.THEY HAVE ALL BEEN GOOD TO GREAT CARS.THIS IS THE BEST SO FAR.

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  Worth Buying - 2004 Honda Civic
  By PghCivicOwner - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased this car, and the quality of the materials in the interior is great (radio/cd player could use some styling to go with the gauges). For a compact car there is plenty of room in the rear seat and trunk. Gets great mileage and is priced very reasonably when compared to the Corolla when evenly equipped. Thought about the Mazda3, but we all know Hondas hold their value much better than just about another other maker.

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  Spunky Little Car! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Mom23kids - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Perfect commuter car, a great first month with my Civic EX, its sporty and stylish. Make sure that you test everything in your car before purchasing it. Mine had no freon for the AC. How could they miss that? Nevertheless, they were able to add it right away. My prior car was a Corolla so there was a bit of a learning curve with little things like the placement of the radio buttons and AC buttons, cup holders and such. Overall, get the EX with the extra horsepower and all the little extras...its worth it.

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  Still a worthy choice - 2004 Honda Accord
  By BMWGOZ - April 19 - 10:00 am

  There are a lot of great cars on the market however, as an owner of 2 previous Hondas and the incredible improvements brought me back to my 3rd. Great reliabilty and dependability on the previous vehicles and dont suspect that has changed. Cost of ownership has always been low and quality high. Thoughtful design, safety and functionality. It is worthy of at least a test drive if your in the market for a sedan.

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  GREAT car!! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By nurse1118 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a really great car! Fun to drive and great on gas!!Plus the reliability of the Honda name.

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  This car has it all - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Jay - April 19 - 5:10 am

  I just purchased the car a few weeks ago and have about 500 miles on it. I had to choose between the V6 model and the V4. My car 4 cylinder drives a lot more smoothly, like the sedan. I noticed that the gears switch a lot more smoothly than the 6 cylinder also. Lastly the steering is a lot looser. The 6 cylinder is def. drives like a sports car and includes the traction control. Id highly recommend this car if you want to spend in the low 20s and want somethign that looks sporty but at the same time offers the interior luxury.

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  Im Impressed - 2006 Honda Accord
  By TheGraduate - April 19 - 12:03 am

  I love how much fun this car is to drive, even with an automatic...everything in its driving reflexes feels "spring-loaded". It has very accurate, crisp steering, and the perfect balance (for me, anyway) between handling and comfort on the highway. I drive in bumpy rush hour traffic every morning and it makes the drive so much more enjoyable. You really cant go wrong with this car, it does everything well. I get 36-37 mpgs on highway trips at 75 MPH, and never have a problem passing a dangerous dump truck, just hit the pedal and it takes off! Honda has another hit on their hands with the Accord.

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  first honda ever....am sold - 2006 Honda Civic
  By former Ford owner - April 18 - 12:53 pm

  car drove out excellent .....held the road and is very positive in traffic. Shift pattern is soooo smooth...engine is very quiet and heater will burn you out of there......I simply love this car.....

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  Traded in my F150 Crew for a Gas Saver - 2006 Honda Civic
  By gi - April 17 - 8:26 pm

  I test drove the others and bought the best. With Hondas track record for reliablity and resall value - how can you go wrong? I drove a 2004 F150 Supercrew 65 miles per day round-trip to work. I was getting 13-15 mpg. That was a 26 gallon tank and $60-$75 every 5 days to fill up. This car is fun to drive and with gas now at $2.75/gal - costed me $27.00 to fill up. My first tank on this car got me 32 mpg. The second was 35 mpg. The 5 Speed Manual takes a bit to get used to, but once you do your mpg will go up. The interior is nice to look at. The radio plays Mp3 disks - which means you can burn 100+ songs to a CD-R. Or if you have an Mp3 player there is a plug for it.