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:

• 

  This little car wont die - 1990 Honda Civic
  By Lmack - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this car since September 1989 and have had only minor problems: 1) Something I found out later was common to Civics of this age -- a faulty relay that caused it to not re- start on hot days after I had driven it a short time. Cost of repair: Less than $200. 2) A warped light panel in the rear of the car that affected the lighting in the rear when it rained. This was a bit more substantial but less than $400 to repair. I have done regular servicing -- not necessarily with the dealer and am craving a new car. Cant manage to do it yet as Im still getting 40 mpg and it purrs along with no problems....

• 

  FUN TOY - 2003 Honda Insight
  By FRED SARABIA - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I have four cars including Mercedes Convertible,VW Cabriolet,Mazda truck and the Insight....I practically NEVER drive the others and sometimes have to jump start them I have so much fun in the Insight....zippy and have only filled in 4 times since I bought it in March......

• 

  I love it! - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By countrycommuter - November 18 - 2:00 am

  My husband calls this (affectionately) the "gutless wonder." It is underpowered but on my 110-mile commute on hilly, country roads, I dont have a chance to pass anyone! It handles superbly. The reliability is fantastic. The only car I have ever owned with 0 defects on purchase. It still has no mechanical problems. Ive been in two fender benders (including hitting a mule at 35+ mph) but no structual damage. I wont swap it for my husbands 2002 CRV!

• 

  What an SUV is supposed to be - 2005 Honda Element
  By Terry - November 17 - 4:43 pm

  SUVs were meant to be used for working..the home improvement store, dogs, etc. The Element fits that category. Great for driving to work, but hauls hay too. Handles difficult weather conditions on the road extremely well. Easy to clean...aimed towards kids going to the beach..Honda has found that its the adult of any age with an active lifestyle thats purchasing them.

• 

  Great 2nd Pilot - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Mots - November 17 - 7:00 am

  Just traded my 2005 Pilot for 2009 Touring with Nav and DVD. Looked at MDX, RX350, X5, CX-9, and Murano. This is much better than the others.

• 

  Best truck Ive ever owned! - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Shawn K. - November 17 - 3:12 am

  I was looking for a truck that offered the level of comfort and luxury of an upscale car or SUV, and the Ridgeline is totally it! It was a bit on the pricey side (though I did add almost $4,000 in add-ons), but when considering what I got for the price, I cant really complain. Im still in awe of how smooth and unbelievably quiet a ride it is, which I tell friends is comparable to the Cadillac Sedan de Ville I used to drive on occasion for work. Im not a fan of the built-in nav system, but since it has Apple Car Play I just use Apple Maps, which is much better (though not as good as Waze, which I wish could be used with Car Play). I also cant get the system to recognize ANY voice commands, but then again I rarely try since Im not a fan of vocal commands anyway. But features like the two-way tailgate and especially the trunk are WAY cool and never fail to impress friends and other truck owners. I was also VERY pleasantly surprised by the acceleration and pick-up it has. Ive only had the truck a few weeks so I cant comment on maintenance or reliability, but so far Id say that its the best new vehicle purchase Ive ever made!

• 

  Great Bang For The Buck - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Durty Sanchez - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Get over it HondaMan. So you hit something and blew the tire, thats not the cars fault!!! This car has amazing performance for the price, blew the doors off of my friends Boxster that comes with a sticker thats $10k higher!!

• 

  So far so good - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Prity - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Been driving around with for almost a month now and so far so good. Took it to for a long drive (LA to Bay Area) and was smooth all the way ... including uphill and good hold downhill.

• 

  The best - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By endo - November 17 - 2:00 am

  We looked at almost all the SUVs out there. The Pilot was the best. The expedition is a truck, the highlander is smaller (too many colors inside), the Sequoia was nice but price was much higher and the inside dashboard was not impressive. MDX, nice car $6000 more than the Pilot. Its just a great SUV. It drives very nice and smooth. The DVD is a life saver for our 20 month old who did not like to go for car rides now runs to the pilot to watch his movies.

• 

  2003 Honda Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By JL -NY - November 17 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I went out to the dealership to see the Pilot just curious.We end up trading in our mini SUV for it. Yonkers Honda gave us a good deal and two weeks or so later we had the vehicle.At its size it drives so good, very spacious inside, and the 3rd row seat is great for extra passenger. Good mileage too. My kids loves it. However the DVD or Navigation system shoul be independent of leather package, and running boards should be standard.