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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  Civic Minded - 2005 Honda Civic
  By James - September 16 - 3:40 pm

  This is my second Honda Civic EX Coupe. I decided to give the Civic another chance as a commuter car. My other cars are an 05 EX Accord and an 05 EX CR-V. So far so good, no major complaints. This is a very good car within limits. Ive owned 12 cars in the past 25 years. It doesnt matter if they are domestic or imports, theres problems with them. The Hondas Ive owned have been no more reliable than Fords or Chryslers. People need to realize these are machines that can break down regardless who builds them. Theyre cars; take them for what they are, not who builds them!

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  Great van, disappointing MPG - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Pete - September 15 - 10:56 am

  I love everything about this van with the exception of the gas mileage. We expected 19-20 around town and we get 15-16 mpg. We sold our 03 Pilot to have more room for family etc and the bonus of better gas mileage. Even with the VCM technology, the best mileage weve gotten is 16.5 mpg in town. We took a trip to Disneyland and got around 22mpg on the road. These numbers are completely different than what is on the sticker. That is my only gripe with this van. Overall, its the best van on the road.

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  nice powerful car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By blair545 - September 15 - 2:00 am

  this car is great

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  Reliability Issues - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By CBYC - September 14 - 8:11 am

  When the vehicle was new it had reliably served its main purpose of hauling kids to sports events and carrying family gear while on vacation. A few years ago we started experiencing problems with the operation of the auto sliding doors (bearing required $ replacement), followed by clogged EGR (poor quality of gas contributed), starter, and now transmission. We bought Honda for its reliability but buyer beware of the first model year of an entirely new redesigned vehicle.

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  Excellent Quality and Reliability - 1995 Honda Civic
  By Alfredo - September 12 - 8:47 pm

  I bought this car last year with 110,000 miles and now at 125,000 it has never let me stranded, I drive 100 miles per day with an impressive 30 mpg using A/C. I have never visited a repair shop except for changing tires and timing belt and brake pads, which you have to replace in every car due to normal wear. I am a student and let me tell you is the best decision Ive ever made, Hondas are reliable, economical and excellently well built, when I graduate I think Ill keep it as a second car. Forget Bimmers Saabs or Jags, if you want luxury get an Acura which is basically a Honda with the luxury package!

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  Made for short Females - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Nate - September 12 - 12:10 pm

  Totally made for a female. Raising the drivers seat up sends the whole seat closer to the front of the vehicle. Not enough leg room. Armrests are super tiny, my elbow is always on the edge of the rest. Other then those items, its great. Drives like a sports car. Plenty of power, good gas mileage.

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  Accord issues - 2007 Honda Accord
  By CS - September 11 - 7:10 pm

  This is the 6th Honda Ive owned, and the 2nd new accord. I have everything from mechanical problems to RUST in a 4 year old car! Very disappointed, Toyota next buy!

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  Second One - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By KrisB - September 10 - 9:06 am

  Overall, a great van. I had a 2005 Touring, which performed excellently in a roll over - not a scratch or bruise on me. That was reason enough to get a second. This time we opted for the EX-L w/ R&N. There are a few things I miss, like the memory seats (Im 61", my wife 52"), auto headlights, rear sensors and the rear power door, some of which should be standard. We compared the new Chrysler van (a relative has comparable one), and they are by far more feature intensive at the same price, but they just didnt have the same level of comfort and the gas mileage isnt as good. Would like to see some of the options at a lesser cost, like Bluetooth. $800 - a joke!

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  nice truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By mike - September 9 - 9:25 pm

  First and foremost i would recommend this to anyone looking to buy a small to mid size truck. Very fun to drive, lots of room, nice trunk in the bed, enough power, nice brakes. I have had a few issues with it, the rear tailgate is broke and will not swing out (handle seems broken, will get that taken care next oil change), had part of the ceiling fall down (was repaired). The navigation system works well and has a large screen but the more i use it i wish it had more features. Have not driven it in snow yet so have yet to test the all wheel drive system.

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  Started out great, rattles now - 2005 Honda Accord
  By 4runnering - September 9 - 7:26 pm

  Great car when first purchased, but interior rattles and questionable brakes have removed most hope of this being a longterm car. The car was delivered with 5 defects, most which were fixed. Included, bent left rr dr window sill seal, buzzing drivers arm rest, defective drivers door speaker, buzzing sunglass holder and a visible paint flaw in the hood. Two new rattles have shown up since then. The area aft of the sunroof on passengers side(sounds like two pieces of metal) and a popping sound from the A pillar at the dashboard. After 4 visits to the dealer the problem still persists. The brakes on this car do not modulate well when first starting out, almost like an on off switch