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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  You could find a better car, Period! - 1996 Honda Civic
  By jack - December 4 - 2:32 pm

  I have owned my car for about ten years. It has been from New england to Florida a few times. Its been so reliable that I would recommend this car to anyone who wants very little headaches and does not obsess over transportation. In ten years of ownership Its been in the shop for CV joints, for an electrical malfunction in gas tank and for power window regulators, all 3+ years apart! What more can you say about that? Oh yes, tires and brakes are inexpensive. The car is so simple to work on that you can 80% of the repairs yourself, if handy. Car has 163K on it, bought it with 30K. Ive waxed the car, so rust is just now starting on fender.

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  Great SUV! - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Sue Hutchins - December 4 - 8:31 am

  Comfort, Style, Technology and Safety all in one!!!

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  Plain Vanilla - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By ignelson - December 3 - 2:00 am

  The Honda Pilot, as delivered, suffers from such bland styling that one of the men at my regular tire dealer doesnt ever remember seeing one! It is a very competent vehicle, and the third row seating is what made it the vehicle of choice for the principal driver, my wife. We have 4 young grandchildren. We added the factory chrome trim on the bumpers, 18" chrome wheels, and the custom Honda front grill/bumber module. It looks much better, and we get a lot of looks, especially from other Pilot drivers. We think they believe it is a "Special Limited Edition" model, or an unavailable "test model".

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  Good so far but not great - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Ted Stanfield - December 2 - 10:59 pm

  Our CRV is only three weeks old. We have put around 2000 miles on it so far. We have found much to like, the fuel economy is very good. There is a lot of cargo space and the visibility out from the drivers seat is excellent. It has decent acceleration and holds the road well. Weve not had the chance to drive it in snow yet, but that is coming soon. We also have found some things that we are not so crazy about. It is reasonably comfortable but the seats are certainly not luxurious. The worst disadvantage is the noise level in the cab. At highway speeds, the road noise drowns out the sound system . The drivers display is pretty complex and can be VERY distracting when things get busy outside the car. There is no way to turn the lights off completely, if the engine is on, the running lights stay on regardless of what the driver tries to do. When the rear seats are folded down to increase cargo area, they dont fold flat, so its not real convenient for hauling cargo. The rear hatch collects dust (we live 25 miles from town at the end of about 10 miles of gravel road) and the exterior finish is the worst Ive ever had for electrostatic attraction of road dust. The warranty is a bit anemic. 35,000 bumper to bumper and 75,000 power train, but were banking on the Honda tradition of excellent durability. Overall were satisfied with the vehicle and would recommend it as basic, utility-type transportation.

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  Reliable commuter car - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Richard - December 2 - 1:58 am

  The car is very reliable with great fuel economy for a midsize, but the finish out is cheap. Glove compartment drawer rattles and there is rattle from trunk lid. Ive learned to live with it, instead of taking it into the shop. Driver door handle faux metal finish flaked off within the first 10,000 miles (replaced - no charge). The seat heaters only heat the seat and not the lumbar/lower back. Seats are not made for long trips (3+ hours) without a stretch break. Finish out is the biggest negative and almost enough to trading-in or sell an otherwise reliable vehicle.

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  Not for long trips - 2007 Honda Accord
  By rick - December 1 - 11:59 am

  This is my second accord. They are good cars. Never had reliability issues but I only drive hem for a couple years (lease). Only complaint with this 2007 is the seats. Im 61 225 lbs and I find the seats very uncomfortable after a couple hours on a road trip. I never mentioned this complaint to my wife. She took the car on a 5 hour road trip and when she returned she complained that the seats are uncomfortable. I had to laugh because she is 57 115 lbs. My lease is up in a couple months. I will be taking a break from Honda and looking for a bigger vehicle with more comfort.

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  Traded my Saab for a Honda... - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By jas28 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  and Ill never go back. This vehicle is great - a lot of space, good performance, big enough to be an SUV, small enough to be easy to drive. This is definitely not the "girlie" SUV that my coworkers claimed it would be. It has enough power for it not to be an issue and good enough gas mileage to handle my daily commute. I like it a lot and have no regrets.

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  Best Value - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Russ - November 30 - 6:51 pm

  GOOD: Best car I have ever owned - does everything well. Good compromise between handling and ride comfort (after new tires, read below). Extremely reliable and well built. Cant live without the navigation system - best I have used. Touch screen makes it easy to enter data while creeping along in city traffic. With many nav systems you must be in park or be stopped to operate, but not with this one. XM radio is voice operated. Intuitive controls. Separate driver-side and passenger-side set-and-forget temperature control. BAD: No sex appeal. Not bluetooth compatible. With automatic, easy to accidentally select third gear (D3) instead of fifth (D).

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  Gone S2K - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Gone S2K - November 30 - 2:59 pm

  Disclaimer: Ive owned this car 3 weeks. I have yet to find a comfortable seating position. My lower back has been suffering. Compared to my clk55 cabriolet, I thought my Cooper works was unreasonably noisy. That is, until I got the s2k. At freeway speeds, I can barely hear the radio even with the volume set past 50%. And although the engine is a jewel, I was spoiled by the 387 foot pounds delivered by the 5.5L AMG V-8. Ive also been spoiled by the rain-sensing wipers and autodimming rearview mirrors, and wish that these would be available in the S2K. That said, its the best handling most satisfying car Ive ever had. I wish I could drive it topless all the time.

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  Efficiency in motion - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Scottfox - November 29 - 10:00 am

  My new Civic gets surprisingly great fuel economy. I am leasing the LX W/5 spd & am getting 37MPG combined. I went with a lease because the Hondas have high residuals which means lower monthly payments. Also considered the Corolla, but lower residual meant higher monthly payments. Restyled this year, it looks great & the interior doesnt have that cheap plastic interior feel.