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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  civic are great, but better if stick - 1995 Honda Civic
  By johnny_gizmo - February 11 - 2:00 am

  I needed a car and without hesitation I bought a civic, too bad it wasnt ex. I bought the car 3 months ago, and everything is great, except for that it does not bring a clock and tachometer. My auto civic is great, but after driving it as a stick-shift it runs even better. The interior is great as well as the body. Too bad Honda is moving away from sleek-looking cars to building spaceships on wheels. But if I had to buy another car it would definitely be a 1992-00 Honda.

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  Excellent Buy of Performance & Value - 2002 Honda S2000
  By JohnnyJ - February 11 - 2:00 am

  For the price you pay for the S2k, its an excellent buy. The handling of the car just so well. Excellent performance for a small engine.

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  one year later - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By JMR - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Ody last February - great from the start. However after one year and about 13,000 miles I needed four new tires. Also I notice a lot of cabin noise - the rear doors sound funny. Took it to a honda dealer to be fixed and they say they dont hear the rattle. Also I notice the gas tank makes swashy noises.

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  Collision Mitigation - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By gearhead48 - February 11 - 1:37 am

  Purchased this car because of safety technology. The collision mitigation does not work. As a race car driver, I tested the system to the max without a collision. The system does not intervene in a way that would prevent an accident. Honda will not recognize the issue at both the dealership and corporate level. Subaru does not have this problem.

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  Death Trap - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By RD - February 10 - 2:50 am

  We bought the 2016 Pilot Elite in December since we were expecting twins in July. Due to owing previous Hondas in the past we though this was the route to go. Long story short, my wife was 9 months PREGNANT and pulling the Pilot into the driveway when it lurched forward, avoiding the other car in the driveway she went down our front lawn hitting a curb resulting in all side airbags to deploy. She was rushed to the hospital for testing, luckily nothing happened to the babies but $11k in damage. When we called HONDA to explain, there response was why didnt you have it towed to the HONDA dealership instead of the body shop. We got a case open with a lady named Marion, who is a complete IDIOT, finally after arguing with her for an hour she sent a rep to the dealership near me and he too k it for a test drive with me and driving it himself saw that the car tends to lurch forward, came back to dealership and ran a diagnostics and showed me that there is an computer malfunction that they need to reprogram it, after 4 attempts realized the unit is bad and need to be replaced and as I am leaving tells me "oh we got it to work". Back to American Honda, the rep Marion calls and says we didnt find anything that was wrong from the report that we received other then a software update. I requested a copy of the error code they found at HONDA and the local HONDA rep kept avoiding the question. If anyone has had a similar issue with there new 2016 Pilot, please post so we can build up a case against HONDA, before someone seriously gets hurt in these SUVs. American HONDA refuses to acknowledge these problems until enough people come forward with it.

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  Blast to drive! - 2001 Honda S2000
  By ddd444 - February 10 - 2:00 am

  It is absolutely the most fun you can have in a car! It gives you the feeling of driving a F1 Race car!!

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  Great Vehicle - 1994 Honda Civic
  By Chicago - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Awsome car, just bought it... despite some suspension problems i discovered over 65 m/hr, this car is perfect. Very comfy with yokohama wheels on it, the EX/Si is the only way to go though, 2 reasons, the VTEC and the curve on the back of the trunk... (had a 91 DX before - it was fun but anemic) Once the VTEC kicks in and you downshift to speed-up, itll give you goosebumps. very fun.

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  Totally Disappointed - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Kathy - February 10 - 12:50 am

  Ive had my Honda for 2 weeks. About a week ago I noticed that my car had a 1 second delay when shifting into drive. When stepping on the accelerator, it would take a moment to actually shift into gear. I also dislike the way the car down shifts when you take your foot off the pedal. Its very noticable...moves you forward in your seat. And when shifting from one gear to the next...well its rough. I took my car into the dealer and they said it was normal for the Accord. We even test drove another car just like mine and it did the same thing. Im in the process of trying to give it back and filing a complaint. Who makes a car that has a delay when shifting into drive? Normal?..whatever!

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  Awesome drive - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Amy Dizney - February 9 - 5:56 pm

  I cant say enough about the performance. Fast, smooth, handles very well. I just wish I could legally really get on it to see how fast it will go. Beautiful black leather interior. Easy access to console. Highly reccommend Ipod adaptor,the controls are on my steering wheel. Heated seats required in Mass winters. Fits my family of five comfortably in back seat. The roomy rear seat was my major decision for choosing this over larger SUV. Great on gas. So far got me to work during 2 snow storms at ease. Sunroof gives a nice breeze rather than huge air rush through the vehicle. Huge trunk with fold down seats for large items like lumber. My 10 year old cant wait to get license to drive this car 2015.

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  Should have kept my 93 Accord - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Bob - February 9 - 5:30 pm

  If Honda made a 90-93 Accord again I would buy in a second. My 93 with nearly 300K miles ran like the day I bought it. It got better mileage than my 08 civic with same driving routine. Best Ive gotten is 27.5 mpg. Civics air conditioner varies temp abut 20 degrees. Barely keeps car cool in So. CA summers. Nearly impossible to clean inside of front and rear windows which haze over from all the plastics out gassing in summer heat. Lots of road noise. Very disappointed overall. Dealer cant find anything wrong. Surprise, surprise. This is my 5th and probably my last Honda. I also have an 03 Odyssey with which I get 22 to 24.5 mpg cruising at 80.