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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  Best vehicle I ever had! - 2005 Honda Element
  By PatB - February 17 - 4:33 am

  I have owned a Blazer, Explorer, Honda CRV and I have to say the Honda Element is the most outstanding SUV. No carpeting makes it easy to keep clean and is great for hauling. The back seats are completely removable or fold them up against the side windows.This SUV is small enough to be fuel efficient yet the interior space is physically roomy and great for cargo. Best of all it hugs the road and I feel safe inside. CD player & speakers are superb! Great buy for the money-I will do it again!!

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  very pleased - 1994 Honda Accord
  By xrs54 - February 17 - 12:00 am

  this car is great! has not had any major(or minor for that matter) problems. had the car since february 2003 and had only had to take it in for a hood cable. it gets good gas mileage and has good acceleration when you need it. going to and from school can be long at times, but the seats are confortable. this is a very reliable car and am looking forward to it getting me through college.

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  2k5 Accord - What a ride! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Butternuts - February 16 - 11:50 pm

  I moved up in the world from a 2k2 Accord and love my 05. The style inside and out is perfect. XM Satellite Radio, Dual Climate Control, Great leather seats, Side Curtain Airbags. The seat and drive comfort is PERFECT. I highly recommend this vehicle- ~T

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  Honda at the Pinnacle of Quality - 1994 Honda Civic
  By tommy thompson - February 16 - 11:03 pm

  Awesome mpg: 41/50 combined with 11 trouble free year gives the VX a hands down win in my book

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  Just ok, maybe. - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Hank - February 16 - 8:30 pm

  This car would probably be fine for me for short, (less than 15 min. trips). The drivers seat becomes very hard after sitting on it for any length of time. Wife drove down to Montgomery, Ala. this wkend and averaged 31.7 mpg @ 75 mph. I guess this is ok for an awd, although it would be nice if that 1.5 turbo was a little less thirsty. This seems to be a quality built vehicle, and it does drive quite nice. The front seats however, are terrible. I also am unimpressed with the audio sound. Honda should have a high-end system in the ex-l. In summary, Im glad this is my wife car and not mine.

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  00Honday Odyssey LX - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Rick - February 16 - 3:13 pm

  Purchased new when Mercury Villager died. Needed room for the kids and for trips. Looked at SUVs but the Odyssey has better gas mileage. This has been, and still is, a fantastic vehicle. No problems at all. Have only replaced the normal "wearable" parts (wipers, brake pads, filters, tires, etc.).

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  Exceeded Expectations - 2002 Honda Civic
  By chuck1hogs - February 16 - 1:08 pm

  Leased car due to special promotional deal...have driven it from KS to Los Angeles 2 times now and was impressed with the mileage, comfort and trip performance on all types of driving conditions and roads, mountains, etc..great car..no problems at all in the 3 yrs weve had it...ride is a little stiff, but thats just a Honda..the residual value is so cheap, we are purchasing it outright when the lease expires next month!! Great car.

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  I used to love Honda! But now ... - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Johnson - February 16 - 5:57 am

  I am continually frustrated with my new Honda Pilot, and want to share a brief glimpse into my experience in case it can help someone else… Electronics: -imagine computers in the 90s … -imagine IT department back then ... turn it on/off, and if that doesnt fix it, "thats the way its supposed to work" -I have twice gone to dealer with a typed list 2-3 pages long of all the issues. Yes, most are just annoying things, like feeling a $5 radio from Walmart wouldnt have the same intermittent reception issues, or that the navigation on my phone (pick any app!) is 10x better, or that I sometimes have to turn the Pilot off/on to adjust the temperature controls, or that sometimes things just randomly stop working for a while (and then magically work again … and then not …), etc. -the dealer people are nice and mean well, and yes they have had some updates that seemed to fix much of the issues, but not all, and other issues come back after awhile -SERIOUS: situations where Pilot could have caused an accident 1) while turning onto a busy street, my vehicle 100% on its own, went into neutral and the engine revved all the way up, then a second later it was back in Drive, and fortunately the accelerator was not all the way on its own 2) car slammed on the brakes, 100% on its own (and I mean slammed, screeching tires, everything in the car going flying), stopping me ~30’ from where a car had been slowly turning off the road into a parking lot. The thought of self braking is great, but even if the turning car had stopped, worst case a small corner would have been sticking in the road and I would have slowed down/around, or even had plenty of time/room to stop. Other examples: -cup holders in front are made for Big Gulps, so every other drink container bounces around, so my whole middle console is covered with coffee/other stains -front storage is just one monster tub (old Pilots had compartments that let you organize space) -rear seats do not lean back 1/3 as much as in previous Pilots (so kids cant sleep as easily) -stainless steel running boards have rusting screws/or other fastener behind them that are constantly leaking rust out; and because “elbow grease” can remove the leaking rust from the stainless steel, its not a warranty issue (we just need to apply “elbow grease” after it rains every time) -maintenance plan is basically bring it in, and we’ll let you know what’s needed -engine always sounds like its short a few quarts of oil -at random times (independent of outside humidity or dryness) all of the windows will fog up, and I need to blast the defroster -and a laundry list of other annoyances Are there a lot of good to great things about the new Pilot – Yes, absolutely. But I have never had a vehicle that had so many issues and annoyances. I previously owned an older Honda Pilot and LOVED it! Had I known what the new Pilot is like, I would have rather kept my old model and put $40K into it!! I have looked into the lemon laws, but all of the problem above are generally intermittent, and can be rationalized away as subjective opinion (“that’s the way its supposed to work”) For what its worth!

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  My Civic makes me happy - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Fernando - February 15 - 5:31 pm

  A good car, no doubt. I did my research before buying and paid off. Except for one time when the car sort of fluked (I think it was Minnesotas harsh cold winter and snow), it runs smoothly as the day it was new. One thing Im not sure about: I feel I dont get the mileage that other Civic drivers get. Winter mi/gal runs at about 25, and in the Spring/Summer is on the 32-36 range. Still, Im planning on getting another Civic when I change this.

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  Great Value, Replaced 99 Grand Caravan - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By lebeske - February 15 - 5:30 pm

  Purchased on a Wednesday, took on a road trip Friday, 750 miles round trip. Overall, very comfortable ride and QUIET! Wind and road noise were minimal compared to our 99 Grand Caravan. Tons of luggage room, fit family of four, luggage and dog comfortably. On its maiden voyage, we achieved 26.5mpg on average, round trip. Used cruise control, kept speed at or below 70. Kids love the back seats compared to the Dodge "stow and go" which were very uncomfortable. In-floor storage is cavernous, tons of cup holders, easy access to back seat. Seating for 8, but dont do more than 7. The 3.5L V-6 has tons of pickup. Very impressed with accelleration.