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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  1993 Honda Civic LX 4dr sedan - 1993 Honda Civic
  By Brennen - June 25 - 2:00 am

  My Honda Civic has been an excellent car. It gave me one semi-major problem. The radiator began giving me trouble at about 8 yrs of age. The car would overheat every time it was drivin, almost starting a fire a few times. This is said to be a common problem in these cars. It was not too expensive to fix, though. Other than that, just scheduled maintnence is all. I love my civic, though. It has been very reliable, and has been taken on many long road trips. This is the perfect car.

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  Great little SUV - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By Ivorman - June 25 - 2:00 am

  Biggest factor was the lack of power and the "dreaded" overdrive kick in to go over the smallest of hills. Even worst with a load. But with some modifications all is well. Replaced intake with performance tube, performance wires and plugs, added with a Tuner muffler, we have good power and sound. I would have to go after performance chips for engine and gas flow next followed by header with better piping.

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  Great Car But - 2014 Honda Accord
  By rgtoth - June 24 - 10:28 pm

  Good mileage in town or on highway. Great handling and responsive for 4 cyl. Road noise very pronounced at higher speeds on interstates especially on concrete pavement. It would be a No. 1 car if Honda could quite it down. In fact the whole honda line including Acura have the same noise issues.

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  I love this cars mileage and design. - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Mark - June 24 - 7:53 pm

  I drive 130 miles Monday through Friday getting to and from work. The sticker said I should get 36 mpg highway...I get 40-42 consistently, I set the cruise, that does not waiver much at all, to 76 on the highway. I do not race the car but dont baby it either. In town I consistently get 30-34 mpg and I should add that I drive with the A/C on all the time. I have 56,000 plus miles on the original tires but they make a LOT of noise. They probably have another 4 or 5 thousand miles left. The ONLY complaint I have is the lack of sight out the tiny back windows while backing out of a parking spot...its blocked by the passenger seat unless its leaned way back. I am used to it but it is a pain.

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  My 1994 Honda Accord EX - 1994 Honda Accord
  By A.Siu - June 24 - 10:00 am

  Its cool, but now compared with other cars, its "out of the gang."

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  Tranny Unsafe - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By K2Rider - June 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought our 2000LX new. Battled with front end shake for 6 mths. Dealer replaced tires and resolved it. Engine idles poorly, paint chips & rusts very easily, slider doors stick, sometimes it wont start, front suspension clunk- 5 dealer trips then fixed. NOW HONDA ADMITS TO TRANNY PROBLEMS IN AN L.A. TIMES ARTICLE. Research before you buy one of these. See: ODYCLUB.com . Overall: very dissapointed.

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  A Happy New Pilot Owner - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By mqc99 - June 24 - 10:00 am

  This is the first SUV and 3rd Honda we have owned - we stil have all 3 of them. The 93 Accord has 120,000 miles on it and still running strong. We expect the same from our new Pilot. The Pilot has excellent handling and all the convenience features we want. It provides all the comfort and peach of mind when driving on the road. I am looking forward to those family vacation trips to Lake Tahoe or Yosemite.

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  I Love The Odyssey - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By skb49 - June 24 - 10:00 am

  I had a 2001 and traded it for a 2003. The MSRP wasnt that much higher. The 2003 has more horsepower and available leather interior.It is easy to drive and has good pick up. The scheduled maintenance is only every 10,000 miles.

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  Civic LX coupe (CO8 Racing) - 2001 Honda Civic
  By eomsux - June 24 - 10:00 am

  This car isnt that bad, but it could use quite a bit of improvement, the handling is horrable, the seats are the most uncomfortable thing Ive ridden in, the front windsheild fogs up evrytime it rains. The only way I feel you can make this car fun to drive, is to modify the hell out of it, start with the suspension.

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  So Far, So Very Good - 2001 Honda Civic
  By tcd - June 24 - 10:00 am

  As a newly married couple, we found the Civic to be a fantastic value. It offers a very smooth ride, great new looks, nice (not great) acceleration and offers a security of reliability that not many other manufacturers can offer. We feel this was a great buy!!