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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  Honda is not all its cracked up to be - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Janet - June 22 - 6:43 am

  It has a very powerful 240 HP 3.0L v6 but the ride is loud and rough and the EX V6 with Navigation is very Expensive

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  Dont believe the hype - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Julie - June 18 - 3:00 pm

  I hate this car. I cannot tell you how much I extremely dislike this car. Metal is way too thin - I have 3 major dents from damage in parking lots. When you let the windows down to clear off dew in the morning, the rubber gasket doesnt make contact with the window so it does not clear off the dew. Makes me wonder if rain is running straight down into the door. I have a vibration that started at about 5000 miles and I have had to have it fixed 3 times. They tell me that the AC cable that is running in the dash just behind the speedometer keeps coming loose and vibrating against the firewall. R rear window has a whistle (air leak) very annoying. of course thats a gasket problem - not covered.

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  Big Disappointment - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Fourth Accord - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This is a huge disappointment. The ride is very hard compared to my previous Hondas and the seat is very uncomfortable. The speedometer has an illuminated dial. It doesnt have fixed numbers, so if you adjust the light level for night driving and then turn on the lights during the day, the speedometer disappears. If you dont want to carry the huge keyless entry key, the only way to open the trunk is by first opening the drivers side door and hitting the trunk release. Car speakers buzz and rattle. Controls for air conditioning and radio are . Plus, its ugly. Honda turned the engineers loose on this one to the detriment of the driver.

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  Not What I expected - 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By larryhat1 - June 18 - 5:36 am

  This is the 4th Hybrid car that I have owned. The other 3 were Lexus ES300H, Lexus CT200H, and a 2012 Camry Hybrid. All previous models got the exact MPG that they stated they would give. This Accord with 5k miles on it, isnt even close. Im averaging 39 mpg. When I talked to the service department at my local dealer, they gave me the old Ford answer...you have to break it in? Wow! The other 3 I did not have to break in...why would you a Honda? Also, I am getting a loud popping noise out of the drivers side front end. At the end of the day, this car has some nice features for safety...but it is certainly not worth more that $6k more that the Camry Hybrid.

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  Dupped - 2002 Honda Civic
  By disappointedcity - June 16 - 10:00 am

  Im disapointed. I like the roomy interior and the dash display, but I find myself bouncing and clunking around too much on standard roads, listening to the rev of the engine too much and wishing for some of the Corolla and Sentra perks(CD player, more horsepower, a place for my change) I thought would seem less important once I started driving the more expensive Civic. Reliability seems lacking too because less than one week after purchase I have to take my car into the dealer because Im having map light problems. I hope this car retains its value because Ill be trading it in sooner than the 10-12 years I thought I would hold onto it for.

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  Transmission only lasted 25,000 - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Kathi - June 16 - 10:00 am

  WOW! This is only car I ever had that only lasted 25,000 miles. The transmission went out at 25,000 miles, yes it was covered but that is just not right. Proble is that was not the only proble I had with this car. Good luck if you buy one.

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  Another Point of View - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Pilgrim - June 10 - 7:10 pm

  WE bought a 2004 new in April. It had 3 miles on the odometer when we took it for a test drive. Unfortunately we did not take it on the interstate. 18 wheelers blow it around. Side winds blow it around. In the snow the rear end tends to come around too easily. If you live in the Great White North youll notice all four doors let in a draft from the bottom as well as from the interior handles. Wind noise seems excessive. Ditto engine noise which actually buzzes the occupants. Handling was not impressive and the ride was too choppy. You will feel EVERY road irregularity. Traded a 95 Dodge Neon 5M Highline that I bought new to buy this car. That Neon did a better job of ALL the above!

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  Be careful what you wish for - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Art O - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I sold my Accord in 2002 and got the new Civic. I wanted an economical and reliable commuting car for less money than another Accord. The Civic deliveres on that, but the comfort of my 1-hr (2x daily) commute has suffered a great deal. Within 1st 6 mos of ownership, the annoying sqeaks in the dash, doors and pillars started to creep up. Now they are a daily occurance. I tried everything, but they keep coming back. Too much road noise in the cabin makes the already- weak audio system even less enjoyable. Seats are not supportive for long commutes. I would rather own a solid and comfortable sedan with worse gas mileage.

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  Reliability? Not a problem to Honda? - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By analysisor - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I have owned it for about 2 months. Everything goes fine except twice starting difficulties. Once in a parking lot and once in the snow, just cannot start. Can not believe this is happenning to a Honda.

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  Aggressive looking,but boring engineCRV - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By stever817 - May 29 - 10:00 am

  I moved from a 2000 Accord V6 coupe to a manual trans CRV thinking that the this would make road trips, game days easier. Well, its nice for around town shopping, but any long distance trips, camping trips, etc shows off the limitations. Gas mileage is not that great when you consider that most SUVs with V6s are getting about 20- 24mpg. This vehicule after 14 months of driving could not muster any better then 22mpg. Best thing about the CRV is its strong resale value.