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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  A great Van -- but Definitely Overrated - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By D. Bell - January 11 - 10:00 am

  The Odyssey is a great van. It is fun to drive, and it has great handling. I can move and pass real easy in this minivan. My son absolutely loves it, and is convinced that his mom has by far the best car in school. On the downside, Im greatly disappointed with how many times Ive already had to take this van to the dealership for minute, annoying things, like; echo in the speaker, exhorbitant exhaust coming from the tailpipe; noise in motor on the auto seat; unusual vibration in the engine; a loose hose which caused leakage of transmission fluid. More attention to detail is needed. It should not be in the shop every other month!

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  love my civic - 2003 Honda Civic
  By chante chante - January 11 - 10:00 am

  i love my little civic. it has performed wonderfully and has more power than i expected. i shopped around A LOT for mine and, like others, had the best experience from the internet division of my local dealer. not only was i able to avoid dealer expensive (and unnecessary) dealer add-ons, but i got a great price (below dealer invoice) without haggling.

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  Sport Sedan? - 2003 Honda Accord
  By scout - January 11 - 10:00 am

  Ive purchased for June 2 delivery, a nighthawk black 2003 Honda Accord EX V6 with front air dam, rear wing spoiler, 17 inch 9-double spoke alloys, auto- dimming compass mirror, black leather seats...I narrowed down my field to this and the Mazda 6. Accords dash material is more luxurious in looks and feel. The bolstering on the cloth front seats of the Mazda6 cut into my leg, making it sore a numb after only a few moments driving and Im not a "big" person. The Mazda6 leather is better, though. Scout

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  Great Car!!! - 2001 Honda S2000
  By xaznx - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Very enjoyable car, and fun to drive, cant wait till my next drive with the top down

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  Nice Little Car - 1994 Honda Civic
  By Rockhead - January 10 - 2:00 am

  This is an extremely reliable car. I bought mine new and put 268K on it before encountering the 1st major problem, transmission failure. It is a very underpowered car, gas mileage is excellent, comfort is average. Overall it is a good commuter car, or a 1st car for a teen.

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  Cheap & Reliable - 1993 Honda Accord
  By afan - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Nothing to recommend it except that it is incredibly reliable and costs next to nothing to run. Comfort, handling, features all pretty mundane. Like any good appliance, it does all you want to to do, but is not in any way memorable. Maybe thats what a car should be. Ive had this since new (wifes car) and it now has 188,000 miles. Never failed to start. Never quit. Not a dime spent on anything but routine maintenance(and not much of that...tires last 90,000 miles, still have original struts,etc) except for one flat tire and a brakelight bulb.

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  Solid Car - 1995 Honda Accord
  By TAB - January 10 - 2:00 am

  I like it, my wife loves it, gets great gas milage, and all 4 of our family gets in it and goes. Ours is a 4 cylider and it still has pep. Leather, sunroof, CD, automatic, PW, spoiler, curise is everything and more. The only thing this is out is the ABS, and we have not fixed it. Not worth the cost at this point. Well over 100,000 miles and will drive till it dies. This one had 78,000 when we bought it, and will buy another one. Added keyless locks for $180.00. Great car.

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  Great Car!!! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By CJ - January 9 - 10:56 pm

  My husband and I have been very impressed with this vehicle. We leased it in 2004 and will lease another Honda. It has been very safe and reliable with no major issues. We have brought this car camping and it is amazing what you can pack in this Accord along with one child. What can we say, but we love our Honda. Our only complaint is on occasion it does not want to start right off, but this does not happen all the time. The card does turn over, but sometimes we have to wait a min. or two.

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  Fit Rules - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Pleatia - January 9 - 10:43 pm

  This car runs and runs fast. You will think there is a bigger motor than the mini mill. All the Honda quality is there and not any real issues. You may have to live without a few items, but the gas pump will not make you pay. The lack of a dead pedal is not a problem either. The driving position is a bit awkward on a long road trip. It is workable however. This car is highly recommended. Keep looking and find a dealer who will work with you and dont buy from the arrogant Honda dealer.

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  Smoothest 4 Cylinder Ive Driven - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Seth Bernstein - January 9 - 7:13 pm

  I couldnt believe I was driving a 4 cylinder car that gets 25 mpg in-town and 35+ mpg highway after hitting the gas pedal of our 2006 Honda Accord 4 Cylinder Special Edition. The acceleration is smooth and assured, rivaling that of many 6 cylinder engines I have tried. The areas to be aware of are that the Accord sits low to the ground, and compared to past Accords has a little more of a sporty feel to it. The compromise is that on rough roads and cracks, there is some jitteriness, but the performance won me over.