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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  Be Careful - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Lee - August 6 - 9:09 pm

  Bought it new to replace a Plymouth Voyager. The Odyssey ranks right down there with Chrysler mini-vans in terms of reliability radio electrically shorted at 40,000 miles, transmission at 65,000 miles, front wheel bearing at 70,000 miles, motor mounts at 95,000 miles, passenger door window glide at 105,000 miles (had a cold 600 mile drive home without a passenger window in January as it broke on the week end), driver side window glide at 110,000 miles. Honda paid for the transmission and I PAID for everything else. Total for other items = approximately $2000. Electronic doors "hang" at times but at least they work for the most part. A very nice van IF you dont mind the repair bills.

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  Shake, Rattle and Roll - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By LGBoston - August 6 - 11:57 am

  This is my very first new car. The first two years were bliss because I overlooked little things that are now driving me crazy. And each month a new noise appears. The linkage is awful but my mechanic tightens it up regularly. Brakes failed me on a bridge in Virginia last August. Horrifying but let me tell you how grateful I am to have a standard transmission. All tires have been replaced. Monday the new starter goes in. The road noise which I cheerfully ignored because I was driving a HONDA is now torture. The original battery lasted 3 months. The passenger side door lock does not open automatically any more. Fuses have been replaced. Never again.

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  Been an OK car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Vincinator44 - August 6 - 9:03 am

  I purchased this for a commuter car. I wanted reliable transportation and a fuel efficient vehicle. It has never left me on the side of the road, but has had some issues. I did all the Honda recommended maintenance and during my 60000 check up, it was determined that the transmission needed replacing. Not good, if anything this part should never fail. I had other mechanical issues after the new xmission, Ill call it mechanic induced faults. I wasnt happy with the service dept. responsiveness. The front rotors have been turned down 3 times due to warpage. My gas mileage average is 27mpg, not much better(+2) then my V6 Bonneville I traded in. Battery died after 4 yrs, Im OK with this.

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  love and hate of my new CRV - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By David - August 6 - 12:07 am

  Just bought my 2009 Honda CRV LX 2X and got very annoyed by the drivers seat head support. It is absolutely unacceptable design. Only one hour drive already made my neck uncomfortable.It is like a bullet sitting against the back of your head! forcing your head to bent.The engine is very smooth in local but luggish and noisy on uphills.Accept these two, everything else is almost perfect.But these will cause me to sell it right away.especially the seat.The power is known to be not very good on uphills.But the front seats are not acceptable.pay good attention to it before you buy it. I regret not going to test drive the RAV4.

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  Not bad, could be better - 2007 Honda Civic
  By John - August 5 - 12:57 pm

  I have had only a few problems with it. The electric motor at low speeds jerks the car until you stop accel or accel faster. I did not expect a sports car since this is a hybrid but driving it in the NYC (only got 25MPG in city) and highways (35-40MPG) a car like this is unable to get out of its own way. This has caused me to get hit once since I could not get away from someone coming up behind me even when flooring it. I avg about 39-44MPG on my 30 mile one way to work and back. Car does not handle well even with new tires. AC does not seem to cool as much as I like, gets warm on auto stop. Road noise is horrible at 40+. Sound system is blah. Expected more overall for $26,000.

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  9 months later - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Igor - August 5 - 11:43 am

  I currently own this car for 9 months, about 7K miles on it. We bought it for my wife so she picked the color tidewater blue (see so many of those around my area now). Its always a competition who gets the keys first! Its very spirited car for a small engine that can hold on its own on a free way. I had to bring it to the shop once because of loose plastic under dashboard that was causing rattle. It handled well two of us and about 400Lb load of mulch and soil bags. Gas meter is off by much - when I had it 36mpg on it manual calculation at a pump showed actual 29mpg so I guess official numbers (27city/33hgw) are correct. Comparing to diesel cars it is not that much. Parking is a breeze!

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  Weak Point - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Tim - August 4 - 8:45 pm

  I am very disappointed with the upholstery on my CR-V. This car is 16 months old and the seats look worse than my 2002 Odyssey. This material does not clean up and shows wear at an unacceptable level. I bought Honda because I expect 10 years before I trade, and in this case I may soon be trading- maybe not Honda.

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  Great lil SUV - 1996 Honda Passport
  By Colton P - August 4 - 7:23 pm

  I bought this vehicle because I needed something more reliable than my old truck after I wrecked my Jeep. So far, its been pretty good. I took care of a couple of precautionary measures (belts, engine tune, etc.) and had to replace one window motor (easy to do, and it cost me $45). This little vehicle is great, it gets pretty good gas mileage. I love the 4wd on the fly. I have a black one, and recently put on a chrome brush guard and had the windows tinted really dark. This is one mean looking SUV now. I can get it to 45 mph from a dead stop in 50 yards. Great interior layout, and its pretty comfortable. Did I mention it looks cool? Great buy for a used car.

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  Fun little Car - 2009 Honda Fit
  By butterfly - August 4 - 6:51 am

  Just got my new 2009 Automatic Honda Fit Sport a couple days ago. First day battery died, but went back to dealer and they charged it. So far it seems very spacious for a small compact car. The front bucket seats seem a little stiff especially the front passenger seat. The a/c seems pretty good, steering is good, love the large windows make it feel bigger, the back seats fold down in a lot of different ways which makes it good for loading and carrying items. All in all a good economic car.

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  Fun, sleek and reliable. - 2002 Honda S2000
  By KTH - August 3 - 10:03 am

  My silver S2000 with red leather interior has been trouble free ever since I bought it in January of 2001. It has averaged very good gas mileage (for a sports car) and outstanding performance. When I took it to the beach last summer, it averaged 30 mpg over 500 miles of highway driving! The only complaint I have is with some minor vibration noises coming from the top and poor visibility through the plastic top window. Other than that, the car has been a joy to own.