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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  Sweet - 2003 Honda Element
  By Element - June 24 - 2:00 am

  I do alot of camping and outdoor stuff in general. Ive had my canoe on top, two mountain bikes inside and camping gear for three people with room to spare. I also have a dog that loves to take road trips and I like not having to worry about carpet and upholstery since the interior is designed to "get dirty" and clean up easily. Did alot of research - this truck has way more space inside than most "full size" SUVs!

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  Great in a Crash - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By jjmarks - June 24 - 2:00 am

  If you want to hear about a safe vehicle...I was hit head-on by a 16,000 lbs truck at 40 mph and walked away with bruises and scrapes. The CR-V was totaled, but my passenger and I were fine.

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  Honda-4-Life - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Honda-4-Life - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Its a Honda. It does everything that any other SUV can do, except it does it perfectly. The build quality is exceptional. Its roomy and quiet. Its fun to drive and the stadium type seating in the 2nd and 3rd rows are a bonus. OK, complaints (if you can call them that). The second bench should have an adjustable forward and rear travel. Gas mileage is probably slightly better than most of the other V6/V8 SUVs out on the market today. As for paying MSRP, well, I paid MSRP but haggled about 50% off on my options. Its a Honda. The price is worth it. Dont pass this up on your list of SUV choices...matter of fact, make it the only choice.

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  Best Car - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By JA - June 24 - 2:00 am

  This SUV is probably one of the best out their! When I was looking to buy, I was looking at the BMW X5, the Ford Expedition, and the Pilot was no comparasent. It seats 8! Thats incredible, even though the 3rd row doesnt have much leg room, its good cargo space. A great buy! You should get it!

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  Odyssey 2003: Value & Honda Reliability - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By JBSOD - June 24 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Odyssey (our first was a 2000 LX) and we love it! We opted to sell our 2000 because we wanted the improved safety of the side airbags as well as some of the other features of the EX (power doors, remote entry, etc.). The 2003 has more pep and rides a bit more smoothly on rough road. More luxury car feel and handling...and all for $25,000! My wife drives 40 mi/day with three kids to work and babysitters...safety counts and this vehicle has it (5 stars in all categories).

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  Best Ever Civic - 2006 Honda Civic
  By BuddyC - June 23 - 5:53 pm

  I purchased my 2006 EX because my 2003 had such a high trade-in value and because I knew I would get quality again. I think I did more research than anyone at three different dealerships visitied. When I saw the first pictures, I was hooked. I believe this is the nicest car I have owned. My wife bought an Element and it is cool, too!

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  Honda does it again - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Smoke "House" Brown - June 23 - 1:23 pm

  After having my CR-V (EX) for a little over a month I can honestly say that this is a super vehicle. I should have made the purchase at the begining of the year. It has lots of leg room and is roomy inside. The car has that certain feel that things have which are made to last. The American People are aware of this and you see them everywhere. I just got back from a road trip, the car was setting the pace on the highway. I paid 24K out the door for the Ex model, which is well worth kicking in the extra 2k. If you are thing about getting this suv, then think no more. I cant wait to read your review.

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  What a Car, Beep, Beep - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Gregnice23 - June 23 - 6:53 am

  I am so happy that I purchased this wonder of silver. The gas mileage is awesome. The interior is beautiful. I looked at Corolla(to tight), Sentra (ugly build) Mazda3 (doesnt compare in gas nor reliability). Civic was the overall winner. Very impressed with something new everyday. Awesome Stereo. Driving Dynamics are great. The two tiered visual is futuristic and cool. Cant say enough great things about the gas. The leather for the first time really adds to the value and overall enjoyment of this car. I am glad Honda cares about their cars. Has all the amenities one can ask for. Steering wheel radio control and sunroof all for around 20K. Cant beat it. Thanks Civic

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  Honda HRV - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Eugenia Riollano - June 22 - 9:49 pm

  This vehicle is a great looking vehicle. It s got good performance however, a little pricey if you are trying to get "all wheel drive" like you would need living in the city of Buffalo. I wanted to purchase the vehicle and made an offer but 2 Honda locations refused to negotiate the price. A third dealership agreed to my offer, but low-balled me on my trade in.

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  31 Year Accord Owner - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Dan Ehrman - June 22 - 5:16 pm

  I bought my 17 Accord Hybrid Touring, Blue Sky, on December 30, 2016. This is my 5th Accord in a row and 3rd new one in a row. Performance and comfort have been very good, but I have had persistent and recurring problems with the infotainment system since I bought the vehicle. Todays List, about half way through a 140 mile trip: Voice Recognition failed to work properly 4 times - When I asked it to call my wife, it gave 3 names of people that were nothing like my wifes; twice, after I asked voice command to call a number on my contact list, it dialed an 800 number; 5 times, when I used Voice Command and spoke a phone call request, it responded that no voice command was heard. Radio: Touch screen for volume control is inconsistent. GPS is a nightmare: It is very difficult to get details of a route, including how far it is to the next route or when the next turn is and doesnt give a tone when it is time to make these turns: also, you cannot give route changes while the car is in motion, even if given by the passenger, the car has to come to a complete stop; GPS does not update traffic conditions if there is trouble ahead or suggest alternate routes; it is very difficult to navigate between AM, FM, and Sirius XM. As you can see, I have had persistent and recurring problems with the infotainment system. They are a distraction to me while I am driving and I consider it unsafe when they persist. I purchased this vehicle because I will be traveling 520 miles 3 times a month for 8 months for medical treatments, and I wanted a reliable, pleasurable car. These distractions have seriously contributed to my dissatisfaction...Here are my experiences with trying to have this situation rectified: 4 visits to dealer where I purchased the car, 3 with 2 different salesmen and 1 with the service manager; Several phone calls with the sales and service departments; American Honda which, after having left both a voice mail and an email, took almost a week and a half to respond, only to kick me back to the dealer, where I have gone through more rounds of visits and phone calls; and then this past week, I spoke with the sales manager twice, 3 days apart, requesting that someone at the regional or national level call me about my concerns; both times he said he would call back, but he did not. Today, Tuesday, I spoke at length with the sales manager and once again expressed my concerns, since I had not heard back from him in response to my 2 calls from last week. He spent a short amount of time trying to convince me to return to the dealership once again to see if they could rectify theses problems. I stopped him after a short time and I restated that I was no longer interested in his offers. I have now made a demand that may be unreasonable, but nonetheless, I will not waver on. I am not going to divulge the name of the dealer at this time but once I have been provided a solution to this problem by the dealer or American Honda, I will share it with you.