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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  CRV Review - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By jdsbythepond - October 31 - 10:00 am

  We purchased the CRV after a lot of research and havent regretted our decision once!

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  Love my Honda - 2004 Honda Accord
  By missq1111 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Love it! The only thing I would change is the moonroof controls. The passager needs to have access also. The door locks. Passager again cant do much. The seat heater are to easy to hit by mistake, need thing you know you have a hot bottom and it 90 degrees out side. Love the back seat being able to lie down and use for larger cargo. Love the quite ride. Seems like a big car inside even tho it not. A dream to ride around and view the world around us. Nice big windows. Easy to see when backing up. Never thought we would buy a Honda but sure glad we did. Its jus right for us. Its a keeper!!

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  Honda is overrated - 2004 Honda Accord
  By TNSpike - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Power seat slid and the Dealer advised this couldnt be fixed! Also, XM radio display was poor. No automatic Power Locks!!! Fun to drive, but had a slight hesitation when acceralating.

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  Troublesome and uncomfortable - 1994 Honda Civic
  By Rikk - October 31 - 2:00 am

  Uncomfortable drivers seat. Limited seat adjustments, awful slope to the back of the seat. At 80k miles the temperature selector knob failed due to a broken linkage cable behind the dash. Expensive repair required remove the entire dashboard. Entire air conditioner failed, resulting in $1,300 repair bill. ABS pump makes scary noises and the ABS idiot light flickers at times. yet dealer insists nothing is wrong. Brakes are inadequate, despite servicing from Honda who claimed they performed to specs. The factory stereo system is anemic. The 1.5L engine, even with manual transmission, is barely able to get out of its own way.

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  Pilot - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By Sam - October 30 - 9:19 am

  Love it.

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  Dont have an accident in this vehicle - 2000 Honda Passport
  By sdcausa - October 30 - 2:00 am

  All I can say is do everything you can to avoid having a front end collision with this vehicle. The bumper and hood must be made of tin foil the way they fold up in a low impact collision. We rear ended another car at less than 10 miles per hour and sustained more than $5,000 in damage. The hood folded up like a taco. Were selling this vehicle based on saftey issues.

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  SOLID, RELIABLE W/STYLE - 1996 Honda Accord
  By HUGH - October 30 - 2:00 am

  My car has 120,000 miles on it. I have had routine maintenance, changed the timing belt and had 1 tune-up. I use all honda parts. I run w/synthetic oil, but I plan on owning this for another 120,000 miles. This car runs great, smooth, quiet, reliable and peppy. Ill go honda again.

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  SO SO sad to say goodbye... - 1996 Honda Accord
  By Lori O - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car as a 25th b-day to myself new and yesterday we traded it in for a later model Accord. I didnt realize how great it was till it was time to say goodbye... I never had a problem with it, my only complaint was that I didnt think it was great in the rain (tended to hydroplane, maybe it was the manual transmission...) and felt the brakes werent as powerful as they couldve been. We were looking at other cars, but realized you can NEVER NEVER go wrong w/a Honda!!! The only day it didnt start was when it needed a new battery (74K miles)!!!

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  The Truth - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Chris - October 29 - 1:36 pm

  At 72k IMA goes out and they repair for free, its the law. At 130k miles CVT transmission shreds to nothing. After spending $5000.00 on a new transmission the computers and IMA LIGHTS start lighting up and now youre in a death trap with an acceleration of 0-60 in 60 seconds. HONDA COULDNT CARE LESS. You know the 3% of customers that get screwed by corporations that are too big to notice or care? Thats us!

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  Best Family Purchase - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By MS - October 29 - 12:36 pm

  We traded a Toyota Tundra double cab for the Odyssey. I was very hesitant to trade my pick-up for a more family friendly vehicle, but I couldnt be happier. Our highway mileage has been a bit dissapointing, but we do push the speed limit and have been around 21 mpg on the highway. Our first tank of gas was the dealer tank and went about 17 mpg. The room is amazing. All the amenities are smartly done. The RES is an excellent option. With an adaptor, my sons video ipod can hook up in the back to watch videos he has on the ipod. The PS2 is also a fixture in the rear of the vehicle. The drive is excellent and the quality is outstanding. I would highly recommend this vehicle for a family.