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:

• 

  Love my Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By angieeb - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Great SUB. I love it. I can haul 7 kids, or a ton of various items. I have been driving SUVs since 1987 and this one rides like a dream and is my favorite SUV ever.

• 

  Adequate Coupe for me. - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Stevenchou77 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Design, Interior, Exterior are excellent!!

• 

  great car for the $ - 2002 Honda Civic
  By sam324 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  My EX manual never disappoints me, it is peppy, stylish, and nice on the wallet. for the 16k or so i paid for this car, i cant really ask for much more. the honda reliablity stays, and im glad that it does. resale values are also terrific, again, im glad i bought this car and i love it

• 

  Great Car!!! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By jaDay - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Very nice car, fun to drive, very responsive. And, of course, very reliable. Its a Honda...Need I say more?

• 

  I hate this car - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Mike Greer - May 29 - 9:49 am

  My biggest complaint about this car is the transmission. If you ever need to slow down quickly then speed up, forget about it. Its like the transmission is stuck in high gear for a second before it decides youre done stopping. I had a close call once because of this. A minor complaint about the transmission is the knuckle dragging fake shift points, its controlled by the computer there should be an option to turn it off. Another issue is the anemic horn, that sound like a dying giraffe, which I blame for not being able to prevent an accident. The entertainment system is the opposite of ergonomic. The angle of the screen is terrible for a touch screen and several buttons are too small for arms reach. The mute swipe is hit or miss and slow so some times Ill try to mute twice and then itll mute and unmute. The screen changes and animates for about a minute when I start driving which I find annoyingly distracting. The parking brake is not very usable especially if you are in an emergency and your fine motor skills go out the window. Also why do you have to push the break to release the parking break? The seats are so curved, they force you to slouch. Other then these issues the car is OK. It drives on the freeway nicely, mileage is good and it has plenty of trunk space.

• 

  I hate this car - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Mike Greer - May 29 - 9:49 am

  My biggest complaint about this car is the transmission. If you ever need to slow down quickly then speed up, forget about it. Its like the transmission is stuck in high gear for a second before it decides youre done stopping. I had a close call once because of this. A minor complaint about the transmission is the knuckle dragging fake shift points, its controlled by the computer there should be an option to turn it off. Another issue is the anemic horn, that sound like a dying giraffe, which I blame for not being able to prevent an accident. The entertainment system is the opposite of ergonomic. The angle of the screen is terrible for a touch screen and several buttons are too small for arms reach. The mute swipe is hit or miss and slow so some times Ill try to mute twice and then itll mute and unmute. The screen changes and animates for about a minute when I start driving which I find annoyingly distracting. The parking brake is not very usable especially if you are in an emergency and your fine motor skills go out the window. Also why do you have to push the break to release the parking break? The seats are so curved, they force you to slouch. Other then these issues the car is OK. It drives on the freeway nicely, mileage is good and it has plenty of trunk space.

• 

  Entertainment and Cupholders let it down - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By N/A - May 29 - 1:53 am

  The car to drive and own is an improvement on last model, however for 40K I would expect the entertainment system to at least be as good as the one Honda puts in the Fit! There is very limited bluetooth functionality, it is slow and very very frustrating to use due to all the features which can not be used when the car is in motion. The cup holders in the front are next too useless, as they do not hold a cup and are quite small, not an improvement at all. You also have to pay the best part of 1K to get the towing package. I would also expect some sort of USB or Power for the second row. Second and third row access is easy, the performance is great. Not sure why a full LATCH system is not available for the 3rd ROW, it was before.

• 

  Way to go Honda! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By twinkieric - May 28 - 7:33 pm

  This vehicle is not what I was out to purchase at the time, but it caught my eye. I swore I would never own an import, I was a domestic man, but I am extremely happy with the styling and performance of the new Civic. Its great for everyday use gas mileage wise, and just plain fun to drive.

• 

  Amazing - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Schmit - May 28 - 2:10 am

  I have owned 2 civics (2001 LX and 2005 SI hatchback) prior to this one. There is a reason why I purchased another new SI. Amazing comfort, style, and power all in this sporty package. If you are even debating getting an SI like myself, do yourself a favor and buy it. On my first tank of gas I got 33 MPG of 50/50 highway/city driving(ratings are 21/29 on the sticker). If you are looking for a car that turns heads then this is the one for you. So far my wife and I have put 1500 miles on it and have loved every minute of driving it. I strongly suggest you get a test drive at your local dealer so you can see for yourself why Hondas slogan is "Above all else."

• 

  Honda equals poor quality & reliability - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Disgusted in Seattle - May 28 - 2:00 am

  After putting up with various electrical anomalies, excessive road noise, and other issues, our Odyssey experienced sudden and total transmission failure at 37,000 miles. The dealer initially speculated that mice might have been dining on the wiring, not wanting to admit the chronic product defect plaguing these and other models since 1999. It is easy to see why Honda only warranties for 36,000 miles. We just traded it in on a Toyota taking a huge monetary loss in the process. After this experience will never, ever consider another Honda. And we run 6-8 cars typically buying a new one at least every other year.