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 Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By BrianK - October 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchased on July 4th and have been very happy with this vehicle. This is our third Honda vehicle. The ride is better and quieter than our 98 Accord. I have to hand it to Honda - this vehicle is AWESOME. Recently took a vacation to South Dakota and checked fuel economy. Averaged 18.4 mpg in the Black Hills area (176 miles driven on 2 different days)and averaged 23.89 mpg on highway and interstate driving in Western Nebraska and Kansas (1846 miles total). There are some steep grades out there and the Pilot had no troubles whatsoever.

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  best in class - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By sepat2b - October 28 - 10:00 am

  After reviewing and testing a few other SUVs I purchesed the Pilot and love it we travled 2400 miles the week after recieve the vehicle and everything was great

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  The king of the road - 2002 Honda Accord
  By johnvonnuemann - October 28 - 10:00 am

  Its awesome ! The Europeans need to take a lesson on how to provide quality at a sensible cost.

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  Civic Minded - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Clickaholic - October 28 - 8:50 am

  Pros: Reliability, resale value, build quality, service intervals, ergos, great 5-speed, gas mileage, longevity potential, ULEV status, design, interior room, safety rating, trunk size, proven engine, comfy seats, aftermarket potential and fun-to-drive factor. Cons: No passenger side power lock switch, rear suspension bounciness, highly reflective rear glass, no ABS, rear drums, premature low fuel gauge warning, overly thin sheet metal, non venting rear windows.

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  Great Car - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Bob - October 27 - 8:56 pm

  Have driven the car for about 1 month, and have almost 3000 miles. Hwy 38 mpg and city 29 mpg. Runs good and fun to drive. Only complaint is the seat. Cannot adjust the lumbar support.

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  Perfect value for money! - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Alex - Long Island, NY - October 26 - 12:28 pm

  I have no complaints after driving 6 months and 4000 miles. Before having this one I had 2008 Camry, 2012 Altima, and I cannot tell you how Accord beats them in every way. It has better mileage, super handling, perfect price / performance. The CVT is much much better than Nissan’s CVT, very smooth and responsive, and better than sluggish auto transmissions ( look at 2018 Camry 8 speed). I get average 29 mpg with 60% city 40% highway driving. I love heated leather interior, it is beautiful in and out. Highly recommended who needs dependable, responsive and great looking family sedan.

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  Gotta Love It - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Mary Jane - October 26 - 10:46 am

  So far, so good. I like the performance and reliability, the seat height, the comfort of the drive, the feel in snow, the compactness of it, the center folding tray, the under the passenger seat drawer, the little closing bin under the dashboard cup holder, the color (chianti red) and so on...

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  Honda Gets It Right - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Va CubsFan - October 26 - 2:33 am

  Honda really got it all right with the 2008 Accord. From the interior finishes to the flawless way the V6 engine moves from 6 to 3 to 4 back to 6 cylinder operation. This vehicle has all the pep to move with the best of them on the interstate and still provide the gas mileage we need with high prices at the pump. Honda seems to have thought of everything by packing the Accord with every imaginable feature including XM radio that the Toyota dealer wanted $700 for to install in a new Camry I have driven the Accord on an interstate and the acceleration to merge was immediate without the hesitation I found when test driving a Camry 6 cylinder. 2008 Car of the Year!

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  The Silver Bullet - 2010 Honda Insight
  By barb - October 26 - 1:26 am

  I love my Insight. My friend at work calls it " the silver bullet". My 70 mile round trip commute is part rural hills and part level road at 55mph. The first tank was 47 mpg but the readout on the dash says average of 50.3mpg. It is not a sports car, SUV or truck. We have all of those at home but it is a great commuter car and grocery hauler.

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  Shocked how good-looking - 2016 Honda Civic
  By mmreview - October 25 - 4:49 pm

  I was interested in this car because of its fuel economy and reliability. The fuel economy is amazing! Im actually getting about 40 in mixed driving (much highway). I also looked at the Mazda 3, but the test drive showed a world of difference. The Mazda is fun to drive, and the controls are well laid-out, but the ride is noisy. The Civic EX-T has sporty handling, but also a solid, quiet ride. Acceleration is alarmingly good! I have found myself going faster than intended due to the smooth, powerful acceleration delivered by the CVT and the smooth ride. The standard radio at this trim level is very nice. So many cars have bass that sounds like it is in the bottom of a cardboard box. The bass in the Civic EX-T is strong without being muddy. The seats are very comfortable and the interior is nice looking and seems bigger than it is. There are lots of bells and whistles, moonroof, keyless start, audio and other display controls on the steering wheel, etc. People have complained about the audio controls on the touch screen, but the driver really never needs to use them with everything on the steering wheel. The biggest surprise to me is that this is a great looking car!