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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  Great Car - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Golly Gwiz - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Upgraded to the 2003 Accord EX from my 2001 Civic LX. Have been a Honda fan for years, owned a 91 Accord that I put 240,000 miles on with no problems besides normal maintenance. Plan to do the same with this Accord. Dont know why some reviewers are complaining about cabin noise as mine is very quiet, no wind noise at all. Road feel is excellent and the 4 cyl. has more than enough power for normal driving. Drove a Camery and couldnt make the switch from Honda to Toyota, then checked out the Jetta, too euro. Accord is cant go wrong purchase.

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  Honda Preludes rule - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By hossy - November 7 - 2:00 am

  Anyone who buys this car will love it i promise you this car is not only fun to drive but will last and they run great.

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  4 wheel motorcycle - 2003 Honda S2000
  By s2000slk - November 7 - 2:00 am

  I cant say enough about this car. My wife has an 02 SLK and doest even come close to this street legal Formula 1 car. When the vtec kicks in and it revs to 8800 so does my adrenaline.

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  2003 Honda S2000 Owner - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Dale Lind - November 7 - 2:00 am

  This car has returned the fun factor to driving again. Country Roads that I have avoided driving in the past due to cruves,tightness, on/off accelaration are the ones I look foward to driving with this car.Stay off the main highways and hit the backroads and its a blast to drive.To sum it up take this car for a test drive if you have $33,000.00 dollars to spare because you will want to take it home with you when you return.

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  NOT WHAT IT SEEMS - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Jnlsn - November 7 - 2:00 am

  This van has transmission shifting problems. Despite constant visits to honda service for runnning rough they still cant get it right. The service departments constant reply is that all vehicle testing shows all is ok. This has been continuos for the past year or at about 16 k miles. Vehicle now has about 26k miles on it.

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  tranny - 2007 Honda Civic
  By transmission - November 6 - 7:06 pm

  Honda came out with a fix for the transmission issue on the 06 -08 civic si. I had to call American Honda in order to get the people at Honda to service my car. So people who owns a si, please contact your dealer and hopefully this is a recall.

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  all around vehicle for 21st century - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Jim Allen - November 6 - 1:16 pm

  I have owned several Maximas , which were good cars. But with the gasoline situation, the Honda is the car for these times. Excellent build quality, reliability, and mileage. It is flexible too. I carry my kayak on the folded down back seat in the trunk. Even with city driving in 3rd gear, I still dont go lower than 30 mpg. My wife got an Accord EX coupe at the same time. We are permanent Honda owners as long as they stay as good or better than this. The mileage on the 4cyl is nearly the same as on the hybrid.

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  Honda Surprise - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By hwccsuburbs - November 6 - 5:30 am

  There are a lot of negative comments about this car. We LOVE IT. It feels like a truck when you sit in it. It seats 8 COMFORTABLY. It drives so quiet and so smooth. The toys are great. The sound is amazing. We gave it a test drive to dismiss it and drove it off the lot!

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  220k and still shiny - 1990 Honda Accord
  By nanj - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Bought used w/ 100k on it for $6k, thought Id own it a year or 2 max, have had it for 7 yrs, only left me stranded once when dist died, good car, good seats, handles well, paint shiny, past year has been busy, speed/O2 sensors, dist/coil, oil pan seal, door latch($!), sway bushings, i maintain it per book, ac orig(was recharged/ no leaks found), trans ok, engine ok, for the miles I cant complain about the repairs, I was due, axles replaced at 150k, good car cruises at 85 no problem

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  Nothing Better! - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By nandini - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I have always trusted Honda cars, but the Prelude!!! Oh Lord! it is a DREAM. It hugs corners like you wouldnt believe living in the Bay Area I have to cross bridges constantly. Although the Prelude is considered a smaller car the design of the car makes it possible to drive right though the wind on the briges and no more shaking. Even though it is a sports car I actually feel safer because it is heavier and the aerodynamics are prefect for driving in high wind ares. I feel sorry for those who are foolish enough to drive anything else! This is a car I will keep for the ages! THANK YOU HONDA!