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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  LovinOur03CIVICCOUPE... - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Derric@Teresa - July 21 - 10:00 am

  An excellent car,fun to drive lots of bang for the buck.We purchased our Civic on 2/17/04 as an 2003 model. Were leaving for Montreal,Canada in july and Iam looking forward to long drive to and from our destination. Great job Honda!We sold our 99 ford escort in place for our Civic what a thoughtful idea my wife loves a Honda over a ford any day of the week and I do agree 100%

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  Why I didnt buy - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Julia Anne - July 21 - 7:59 am

  I loved this van except for the black carpets. I like light colors inside and they were not available in the 2018 so, I bought a Sienna that fit the colors I like. I still like the Odessey better. I loved the way it drove and all the safety features. I like the feel of the van hugging the highway. I also like the looks of the Odessey better than the Sienna....but, being female I went with the light colors inside the van.

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  excellent - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By sweetser/jesse - July 21 - 6:03 am

  It took almost 3500 miles to achieve the twenty mpg around town but I now have about thirty two hundred miles on my Odyssey and am completely satisfied.This is my third six cylinder Odyssey and by far the best. My son has my 99 and he thinks its great,especially the dependability in the cold and snowy Northeast.

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  Dont buy the hype! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Larry Pines - July 20 - 10:20 pm

  Short version of my review: Honk the horn, if you have no problem with the horn (as it is small sixed for a moped) then look at what is involved in jump-starting this vehicle. If the procedure for jumpstarting the car is not an issue… then buy your pilot, as you most likely won’t notice the issues I noted below. If you take exception with the horn or the need to disassemble the car to jump start it……well the rest of the car like that. It’s way over Hyped or …… over promised and under delivered. It’s like a bowl of good sour cream. Nothing more - nothing less. Long version of my review: I have wanted to write this review for some time now, and today I just need to sit down and write the review. I am one who got sucked into the Hype of this vehicle, and I wish I didn’t. My 2016 Honda Elite (“The PIG” don’t ask me why, but the name just fits) has just under4,500 miles on it, and it is for sale. The Good --Honda has spent a ton of effort getting the this car perform in the new overlap IIHS crash test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMtOcKK6I4o. The result of this test is a true work of art. Especially when compared to others vehicles in the class. Size –this is a big car there is plenty of room in it. The Sunroof is huge. The size of the rear doors are larger than other SUVs, it makes getting into the third row easy, and the auto tumble of the second row captain seats are very helpful for getting in the third row. USB charging stations – are all over the vehicle. Maybe even in the third row! Great job Mileage – Believe it or not, at one point I was getting 28 MPG on the freeway in this car. That may be due to a recall that fixed a small problem where the car would “add” miles to the odometer I currently get 23 MPG on a tank of gas….Winter gas? Software update….i don’t know but it’s not what it used to be. The Bad The car drives around corners/ Auto braking systems – Well it just follows the lines on the road, when it gets confused, or mistakes the sealant on the road for the painted road….well you get to fight the car. And pray that the auto braking doesn’t kick in. (Just imagine if you and your spouse both had access to steering and the pedals.) For me, when I first experienced it I was traveling about 70 MPH on the interstate and in an instant I was doing 45 then the system “recalculated” and I was able to drive again. As a result, we were almost rear-ended. The Ugly The 9-Speed transmission – Holy Hannah, will this thing take a chill pill!? For example, at low speeds it’s like an amusement park ride. 5th gear at 20MPH, no now its 4th gear no upshift to 6th. It’s crazy! At low speeds the transmission is like a Jack Russel Terrier. Auto Start feature –This feature simply shuts off the car’s engine when you come to a stop. When this activates you will need about a second or a second and a half to feel like the car is ready to go again. This is unreasonable at busy intersections. You can turn this “feature” off but you have to do it every time you start the car. I have tried to get the dealer to disable this “feature” but they say they can’t. Trust me it’s a pain in the rear. The Premium Stereo – This is a HUGE disappointment. This stereo is just strange. I have the bass and treble settings maxed, and on the best of times it sounds ok. But, most of the time it leaves me wondering where is the other half of the song. For example, you can be listening to XM radio and one song sounds “ok”, then the next song sounds like the stereo doesn’t know how to decode signal. The vocals are very weak and fade in and out. Subwoofer is nonexistent. The Touch Screen –Disappointment. The Very glossy glass (or plastic) shows fingerprints very easily very the system is very complex to use. No way to set a priority on phones To change what phone is connected from the main screen is no less than 5 button pushes and takes 40 seconds to accomplish. Voice Command – Useless. Instrument gauges –The lack of information/customization of the gauges can’t be ignored. Talk about just under delivering. The placement of buttons in the car – are Just wrong, you have to hunt and search for buttons in this car. It’s just wrong. Resale value – I have been trying to sale this auto for a while now, while I am ok taking a $3K hit on it, I am not willing to take a $7K hit on the PIG. I was hoping to have sold this car before reviewing it however; I just can’t sit back and keep reading reviews from folks who say it’s a perfect vehicle. I often question the legitimacy of some of the reviews, like they were written by those with an interest in selling these cars. Regarding Happy Wife = Happy Life. The wife had to use the Pilot for her primary vehicle for several days. She is MORE THAN OK with taking the loss on this car and getting another vehicle. We give Honda, till March 1 to push out a major software update to this car; else we trade the PIG for something else.

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  More than expected - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By rick dachille - July 20 - 2:16 pm

  It was worth the wait. There is no vehicle that can match this, or even comes close

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  Boring and predictable - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By David Lastname - July 20 - 3:03 am

  Dont expect any bells and whistles with this. Its a well built but totally bland SUV. Everything feels exceptionally well built and sturdy but some of the design is poor. The head unit it tilted too far up and gets smudged easily, the dead pedal under the parking brake is very small, and the cabin height is quite high for a vehicle with such little ground clearance. Road feel is good but not exceptional, car feels very large because it is. If you want something more fun to drive, get an Outback, if you want an SUV that both mom and dad will like, get the Pilot.

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  Bombdiggy - 1995 Honda Prelude
  By ALi Baba - July 20 - 2:00 am

  this car is great and it looks like an expensive rich sporty car and its not which is good for middle class people....it drives really good can take sharp turns and it has quick acceleration and a lot of horespower for it being a four cylinder and its pretty good on gas

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  I Love my Accords - 1992 Honda Accord
  By potatopirate - July 20 - 2:00 am

  As with all my Honda purchases I love my Accords especially the Wagons from this year. I havent had any trouble with it.

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  Wow...what a car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By midazolam - July 20 - 12:33 am

  Just picked up from the dealer 12/1, 0/08. Waited 8 weeks for this car, there are not that many out there,Hundas assembly is more focused on the sedan. Pulled out of the lot and this car just flys! Handles like a dream, hugs corners like a indy car. The roads were slick with many ice patches but this car felt like I was driving in May with the temp at 78 degrees. I have never felt so completely in control of a car. (This may because the 20yrs of SUVs I have been driving), none the less I love this car....buy one!

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  What a Car. - 1992 Honda Accord
  By SKIP Jr. - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Currently this car has 206,000 miles and has been extremely reliable. No major problems just brakes, oil changes and tires. Its comfortable and economical. But the 4 cylinder does lack power. I never regretted buying the Accord. As it ages we plan on retiring it gracefully. It has been reduced to a to and from work car. hard to beat a HOnda.