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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  Hybrid Honda Civic - 2006 Honda Civic
  By bfrench - August 13 - 11:23 pm

  I traded my 2004 Civic (another great car) for a 2006 hybrid Civic last month. This car is fantastic! The 50 mpg cant be beat, the interior design is extremely well planned. All gauges and controls are conveniently located so the drivers attention remains on the road. The shift between the gas and electric motors is smooth. The car is quiet, which adds to enjoyment of the sound system. And 50 mpg! Not to mention lower emissions, and a nice surprise at the insurance office. Because of the safety innovations on the 2006 Civic, my insurance rates went down 10%. Wow.

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  Less than 1000 miles - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Mike Martin - August 13 - 8:47 pm

  This is the first new car that I have purchased that I am thinking of trading after less than 1000 miles driven. I bought the Pilot AWD Touring package because Honda forces you into that package to get some of the options. I knew when I bought this SUV that I would hate the push button transmission and I do. It has too many gears and at times, especially at lower speeds, it seems to get confused as to what gear it should be in. I can really feel it when I turn down into my subdivision and kind of coast. It seems to hunt for the right gear when you dont need to put your foot on the gas. The default setting for Hondas gas rating is to turn the engine off at stops. What a pain this is and I wonder what this will do in the long term to the starter and battery. You can defeat this, but you have to remember to push another button every time you push the drive button. Would be a great SUV if I could get over the transmission. Buyers remorse, wish I had gone with the Highlander or bought the EX-L without all the options that I thought that I wanted. You dont really need all those options.

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  2010 Pilot - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By zorin - August 13 - 10:33 am

  The Pilot is built like vault. Feels very stable and solid on the road especially highway. Compared it to a Toyota Highlander but finally chose pilot as it is wider and lot more comfortable for ALL 8 occupants. Also note that the curb weight is 500 lbs higher than that of highlander giving it a slightly lower mileage but more solid feel.

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  Most practical sport coupe! - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Brian P. - August 13 - 10:16 am

  I am amazed with the practicality of the Accord! It has the best of both worlds: It is definitely fast, handles very well, and has a tight ride; on the other hand, it has ample back seat room, a cavernous trunk, and features normally found on more luxury models. I was originally looking at the Infiniti G35 but decided the extra ponies wasnt worth having back seat passengers hit their heads on the back windshield. The Accord is almost as fast while offering a lot more comfort. You really cant go wrong with this car!

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  New CR-V is a GEM! - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By aboyer - August 13 - 8:33 am

  The redesigned CR-V is an incredible deal. I started out looking at small wagons, but when I discovered I could buy a CR-V for just a few dollars more than the cost of a new Ford Focus wagon, I converted from being a long-time wagon driver to a new compact suv driver. What a wonderful vehicle!

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  Love This Car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Nick S. - August 13 - 4:16 am

  After much review of 4 door sedans in the $30K price range I went with the Accord. Im only 100 miles into my driving experience, but have to say that I love this car. It has a very upscale exterior design. The build feels and is very solid. The doors close like a Mercedes. The seems are very tight. As far as handling, the best was I can put it is that it is very confident. The braking and acceleration are excellent. The interior design is roomy and very comfortable. The control counsel and sound system do a very solid job. You could pay $20K more for a luxury sedan. But why?

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  Disappointing - 2001 Honda Passport
  By njbrit - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I had resisted buying an SUV, but the Subaru dealer I went to for an Outback was so obnoxious, I went to Honda. They were clearing out the 2001s and I got a great price. The dealer however, did not tell me that I was not getting a Honda, but an Izuzu - with Honda badges. I have hated this SUV since the first long distance (250 miles) trip. Its uncomfortable, noisy and thirsty. Also, every time we drive on an expressway for more than 30 miles or so, when we stop the thing sounds liek a diesel - but the dealer has "never heard of a problem like that" and "cant find anything wrong". To be honest, I dont know why we still own it.

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  Cool van! - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Dude - August 13 - 12:03 am

  This 2006 Touring is remarkably better than the 2000 Windstar SEL we previously had. And the price was only $1,000 more!

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  Horrible transmission problems on 9-speed. - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By John Saaty - August 12 - 4:14 pm

  The 2016 Honda Pilot is almost a perfect car except that it has major, major transmission problems that arent readily evident in just a test drive. We just purchased a 2016 Honda Elite and the transmission really is a mess. It cant find gears correctly, when on a downhill and you brake the car actually speeds up because it upshifts while you are braking, there are head-jerking episodes that are unexplained, when trying to climb hills it downshifts so much that you actually fight the car to try to get it up the hill. We are so disappointed I cant even tell you. We paid $51,000 for this car at a Honda dealer in Northern Virginia and it only has 265 miles on it and my wife refuses to drive it anymore. She was in tears at the dealership and they, so far, have taken no ownership of the problem. By the way, if you think that this is just us then go and look at other reviews on forums for the Pilots on the Internet. It is known that the 9 speed has a real problem. Honda does not seem to be addressing this which is shocking given that it is happening on the 2 highest end models -- Touring and Elite. But Im getting the feeling that they dont care or dont know how to fix it. With literally just 265 miles on the car we have listed it for sale. We are going to take a major loss on this car and get rid of it right away. I have nothing but the worst feelings about Honda as a company and brand. Do not buy this car. Do not buy this car.

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  03-V6-Coupe-6SPD-Nav - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Keith - August 12 - 2:03 pm

  Love the way the engine revs with that 6 speed. Plenty of gears, plenty of rpm. Need the tach since the engine is so smooth and quiet. Power is better than expected, could be better. Takes regular gas. Rides real smooth at all speeds. Since I got this car, I dont wonder about BMW 3 series anymore. About the same performance and I know the realibility is much better. Saw the speedo at 120, it had plenty of room to go. Loooove the sat-nav system. I burn my own CDs for the 6 CD changer, and keep a stack of 50 below. After 26000 miles, hasnt needed anything other than oil changes. Nothing mechanical has even hinted.