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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  Oh what fun.... - 2004 Honda S2000
  By JordanO - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I never saw myself buying a small 2- seater until I saw my friends S2000. I went to the dealership and within 10 minutes of the drive, I fell in love with this car. The performance is amazing. The car handles/corners better then any vehicle I have ever driven. The best part about the engine is when it hits 6200 RPM and the VTEC kicks in. You get an addition boost into the seat and then the S2000 transforms into an F1 racer. The interior is fantastic. The leather smell and the aluminum panels really give this car a high dollar touch and feel. I really have no complaints about the S2000, I highly recommend this car!

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  My S2999 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By airmaxs11 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  The S2000 is such a beautiful car I love it so much....it is fast and sporty and has a unique design. The only bad thing about the car is it sucks on gas

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  Just Keeps Going - 1991 Honda Accord
  By Marks - September 27 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car new. After 13 years and 120,000 miles, it still looks so good inside and out, and it still works so well, that we continue to postpone any thoughts of trading it in. We have replaced the timing belt and exhaust system twice. Those are the only major maintenance items so far. Other minor repairs have included the drivers door latch (twice), and the rear speakers (cones rotted out from age). Otherwise it just keep going and going. This has to be one of the best models Honda has produced.

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  Spiffy - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Papa Z - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I love it. It is the quickest excelleration of any van I drove. It is sooo comfortable. It is the most solid by far. Great views. Back seat is pretty heavy.

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  Best decision weve made! - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By SRoss454 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  We are very happy with this van. We were thinking about a sedan but decided to get the Odyssey lease instead. We have been very happy with the ride, its sedan like handling, comfortable interior and how sharp exterior styling. Weve been averaging 22 mpg around town and on our last road trip average 26-28 mpg through the mountains of PA. Better than the manufacturers 17/25 for sure! Have had no quality complaints. The ride is a little rough at times, but definitely nothing to complain about. Even my pregnant wife does not complain about the ride. Definitely give Honda a ride before making a minivan decision!

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  excellent - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Pontius Pilot - September 27 - 12:53 am

  This is really a powerful engine especially on terrain climbing hills and mountains.reliable during 14 hrs long drive from San francisco to Tucson.Seems like a V8 engine,tough and durable.Easy to drive and comfortable,its very challenging when you go beyond 90 mph so smooth with zero friction above the road.

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  We like the Vehicle, infotainment not so much... - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Carguy - September 26 - 6:57 pm

  2016 EX-L AWD and the vehicle itself has been great overall. Mileage is good, power is good, interior cargo room is great. With that said they should have just not put a radio/infotainment system in at all and saved me some money. The EX-L has the middle of the road option for sound system for the Pilot, and if you were to put it into a stage coach it would be an insult to the stage coach rather than an upgrade. They focused so much on the form (look and cleanliness of Dash) that they forgot about the function. Having no volume knob is flat out annoying, but just when you think you can get used to that the system shows how slow it is. Then you have the actual functional/quality control problems. 1) FM radio signal fades in and out at random while the car is moving (in areas with strong signals, and verified with other vehicles). 2) The subwoofer is pretty much useless to non-existent, and attempting to change the signal level on the settings page does absolutely nothing (full minus setting to full plus plus). 3) Dumb stuff like giving you the option to move the clock to different corners of the 8 inch screen, yet when an option is selected nothing happens, our clock is and has always been on the top right side of the screen despite trying every option that is given with no response. Car has been to the dealer, and it resolved nothing other than documenting the problem. Contacted American Honda Customer Service, they just gave the number for tech support and didnt really seem interested in helping. Contacted Tech support and they stated all they could do at this time was document my concerns. I wish I was the only one having these issues but a quick internet search will reveal many are experiencing the FM fade and Subwoofer issues. My advice for anyone looking to purchase this vehicle is to do an extremely thorough test of the infotainment system and make sure it is performing to your liking before purchase. In my opinion it behaves and functions nothing at all like you would expect for a vehicle with a $40,000 price tag. Update 8/23/16: Pilot has been back to dealer several times and the tuner has been replaced twice per a Honda TSB. This seems to have resolved the FM fade for the most part, but reception sound quality is absolutely terrible with stations on the lower end of the spectrum sounding muffled and the higher end frequencies only having treble. Dealer Service Manager agreed the system sounds atrocious, but they dont know what to do as a pilot we tested on the dealer lot had the same symptoms. Subwoofer control still seems to have no response, and the clock doesnt respond to options selected. Infotainment system is pure garbage.

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  Great vehicle for a pretty good price..... - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Charlie - September 26 - 5:33 pm

  I bought a year end 2017 Ridgeline. Honda over all doesnt discount their cars much like the American auto makers do. They only produce a curtain number of cars and dont give huge year end close out discounts - but with that said - I got what I thought was a fair price on my Ridgeline. Somewhat no pressure - from what I hope is a great dealer ship - outside to the Phoenix areas - High Pressure - "what can you afford per month" approach to trying to get you into a car. Im a bottom line type of guy. Show me the bottom line - Not what my monthly jail term payment is going to be. Well see how the dealer ship is after I have some service work done. Ive owned a 2006 and a 2007 Honda Ridgeline - the model redo is some much nicer. Interior is nicer. Exterior looks great and it still has the trunk and dual opening tall gate that i love. Im extremely happy with my purchase!!!!!

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  Honda Pilot - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Rev. Leroy - September 26 - 10:00 am

  The best in the West

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  Look at OEM Tires - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Cyclone - September 26 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I searched high and low for the right vehicle. After test driving at least 30 different models we decided on the Honda CRV. Shortly after purchasing the CRV we took it on a 2000 mile trip. It fullfilled all of our expectations and got 26 MPG in the process. My only complaint with the vehivcle is the OEM tires which came with the CRV. It came with Bridgestone Dueler HT 684s. These have a treadwear of 180 Traction B and Temperature of B. All reviews I have read about these tires inducate that they are crap! I do not understand how Honda can allow these type of tires on a any of their vehicles.