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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  Very Disappointed So Far - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Ettamarna - September 1 - 5:13 pm

  After less than two months and 1,500 miles, my new 06 Pilot died (leaving my pregnant wife stranded in a snow storm). Apparently the "third bearing was contaminated" from the factory and "disintegrated." Engine was oil starved, and now short block and cylinder heads need to be replaced. Aside from that, the car suffers from a number of annoying interior creaks and rattles. Audio (both stereo and nav) "blacks out." The fr p door rubs the body panel. I have a 2003 S2000 that I love, but my faith in Honda has been shaken. Maybe it is a problem w/ the Alabama plant? Ive filed a case w/ Honda asking them to replace with new vehicle (rather than rebuild the engine). Will post an update.

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  Excellent Quality for the Money - 2006 Honda Civic
  By J Phillips - September 1 - 12:23 pm

  A lot of car for the money, very nice body lines, Total redesign of exterior and interior is nice but could be improved in the seating design with a wider bucket seat, should also come with tinted windows from factory to avoid cheap window tint film installations. Stay away from the Bass Speaker Option it is way over priced and very poor sound quality. Stereo system is weak.

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  Vinyl Seats? - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Tuck - September 1 - 5:46 am

  We compared to the other suvs this was clearly the best value and performance has been excellent. However, we strongly advise a longer than 30 minute test drive. At about 15 minute your back will start sweating. I had leather seats in every car since 1980, and never have we sweat so much! I cringe at the thought of driving anywhere over 20 minutes. Add to the cost of reupholstering and the value drops significantly.

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  Excellent Car - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Lina M. - September 1 - 4:36 am

  I wanted to leave this review just let you know its is very reliable and it is a best car to have. I got into a major accident 2 days ago. I was between 2 cars, I hit 1st car a little, but car behind me didnt hit the brakes and hit me and the 1st car again, but after all it happened Honda Accord was in the best shape of all 3 cars. The front of the car got barely damaged even though it was hit twice, of course the rear end was in bad shape. I have got very little injuries. After all it happened it stayed very stable and saved me.

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  Ole Bessie - 1993 Honda Civic
  By MTSUGirl - September 1 - 2:00 am

  This car has been with me since I was able to drive a car (7 years). I have never had to have this car repaired for anything other than wear & tear, or for damaged I have caused myself. The gas mileage is awesome!! The car is almost 10 years old now, and although the air conditioning went out, it still runs perfectly. This car is so reliable...I would recommend a Civic to anyone!!

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  new S2000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By dundonrl - September 1 - 2:00 am

  great weekend/alternative car.. it has enough power for around town, and above 6000 rpm really wakes up when the VTEC enables the high lift lobes on the cams

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  Great Car - 2013 Honda Civic
  By John A Tarulli - August 31 - 11:44 pm

  Great reliability, economy, comfort, style and fun to drive!

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  Nice Car Overall - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Marty - August 31 - 9:46 pm

  This is my first Honda. I really like the car. Comparing the price tag, the quality is satisfactory. It is a pleasure to drive the car. The suspension is good, it is quite, all the controls are where they should be and ergonomically designed. The only thing I did not like is the fact that on the drivers side, door lock and window lock buttons are not illuminated, very hard to see in the dark. The performance is good. It is a little problematic when climbing hills but not too much. Thats probably OK for a 4 cylinder engine.

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  My Honda Accord LX-P - 2008 Honda Accord
  By kingule - August 31 - 3:36 pm

  All I can say is stay away from this vehicle. 1) Road noise= Loud 2) Vehicle Ride= Very bumpy. 3) Headlights= DIM. For your safety, do not drive this car at night on back roads. 4) Gas Mileage= Poor. 20 - 21 mpg no matter what the driving conditions, even with cruise control on the highway. 5) Seats= Like sitting on a church pew. 6) Rattles,Rattles and Rattles again 7) Horrible wind noise OK, now some positive things: Will be happy when I get rid of it!!!

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  Great Car, but audio system fails to initialize - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Wolfgang - August 30 - 8:54 pm

  I picked up a 2016 Civic Touring about a week ago, and the audio system fails to initialize about half of the times I turn on the car. This means that the radio, navigation voice, and bluetooth phone do not emit sound through the speaker system. The dealer verified that this is an issue with the car, and told me to just keep turning off and on the car until the audio system works (believe it or not), and to check back in a few months to see if there is a fix. This problem shows up only randomly- I should have restarted the car at the dealership a few times to experience the problem. I do hear clicking during adaptive cruise control and the high-pitched turbo. Neither is particularly annoying, but theyre noticeable. Other than that, this is so much better than my last car that I cant really fine-tune the categories above very well. Except for that crazy audio issue.