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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  Better than I thought.... - 2011 Honda Accord
  By aces_full - February 11 - 9:02 pm

  I have to admit, this was not my first choice in cars, but I live in the city and just needed a car to get around on the weekends and a night or 2 during the week. That being said, the Accord does the job well. Overall the looks have grown on me (including the gaudy chrome grille) and the acceleration is better than adequate definitely better than I expected based on the reviews I read. Trunk space is excellent and so is the access - I was coming from an SUV. The wheels on the EX give the car a sporty look. Overall a good car, but I do have some complaints you will see....

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  High value for the price. Perfect for our needs. - 2010 Honda Fit
  By ograywolf - February 9 - 4:17 pm

  We wanted a roomy, high quality, low cost vehicle, and this is exactly what Honda delivered. Ive owned a muscle car, a Vette and the VTEC, and I have to put this little guy up there with them for performance and handling, especially when passing. I did a cross-country trip in it, and actually slept two nights in it at rest stops. Its a small car...likely not as comfortable as our 1996 Explorer...but 14 hour days on the road worked...and the mileage clocked in at 35mpg. Like any Honda, I expect to drive this one for 800,000...and then bequeath it to my heirs in 20 years.

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  Low MPG - 2011 Honda Accord
  By patel_dilip - February 8 - 8:50 pm

  I always liked Honda and decided to go for Accord 2011 EX-L hoping to get good MPG. So far I have managed to get only about 20-22 MPG. At first I thought it is a new car and MPG will improve after putting some miles on my car. Its been 3 months and around 2400 miles and still the same. I am really disappointed now. The interiors are also just about okay, they have used cheap plastic on door handles. The car may be reliable but MPG is so far very disaapointing for which I bought the car in first place.

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  Great Choice! - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By carnutt2 - February 8 - 1:44 pm

  I purchased my Pilot about two weeks ago, after doing months of research, driving loads of other SUVs crossovers and simply think I made a fantastic decision. I almost bought the Volvos XC-90 or the 60, but the reliability of the 90 was in doubt, and the smallness and overpriced 60 turned me away. The dealer was very accomadating, kept to the price, which I started off by using USAA.... then going lower then that. I bought the 4x4 Touring, in blue, and each time I drive it, I feel I made a great choice! It feels substantial, well made and usre footed when behind the wheel. The pick-up is always there, with more power ready when needed. Please test drive the Pilot,last, and youll buy it!!!

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  wishing i had my 93 integra back - 1999 Honda Civic
  By cjrock - February 7 - 11:03 pm

  now i understand this car is about value and all, but boy is it cheap. Rattles every little bump i take, power windows hardly roll down anymore, awful noises when starting in cold (dealership and mechanic cant target the problem). I can barely hear a passenger when driving on the highway. I wish my I didnt replace my 93 acura...

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  30 days later - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By v2004 - February 7 - 4:16 pm

  I now have my Odyssey for the full 30 days and I must tell you that I love it more every day. The exterior styling which at first looked a little odd finally started taking shape in my mind. I can now appreciate the styling much more especially after I added roof rails/racks and door moldings (a must). I also realized that Siennas exterior style which at first looked better, looks too plain and too Japanese compared to the Odyssey.

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  Beware: Battery goes right after warranty - 2003 Honda Civic
  By formerhondafan - February 7 - 12:24 pm

  Just a warning to those looking at this car. I bought in 2002 (2003 model) and have been the only owner for just over 8 years. Five months past the warranty, the battery failed and now I have to pay $3000 to have it replaced. The car has less that 80,000 miles, but because Ive owned it over eight years, the warranty has expired. This is simply too much of an expense to be reasonable or fair. It certainly doesnt justify the gas savings. I am very disappointed in Honda and will not buy another one, because of this experience.

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  Great car but lots of annoying problems.... - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By walnutchen - February 6 - 11:43 am

  We really like the car, its roomy, drives nice, cool design, lots of cup holders, but this car is always under repair which is really annoying. Since we had it (4 yrs now) weve had to: 1) Run flats wore out at (and every ) 20K. ($1500 each time) 2) automatic doors had spring popped out (3) rear engine mount had to be replaced ($800) 4) alignment was off ($100) 5) DVD system sometimes shows blank screen (we had to eject it several times for it to work. This is the most amount of maintenance I had to do for a car under 60K miles.

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  Nine Months So Far So Good - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By mkaylag - February 6 - 7:56 am

  I bought my CRV 9 months ago and so far I love it. My friend bought a 2010 Kia Sorento the same time I did and theyve already are having problems like oil leaks and electrical failures. I would have loved the 6-cylinder upgrade option but the 4-cylinder is sufficient and the car is GREAT on gas. This is the first Honda Ive ever owned and Im not disappointed, yet.

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  Buyer Beware! - 2011 Honda Element
  By mmhblg - February 5 - 1:02 pm

  Our Element is less than two months old. It has failed now to start twice in the morning. The first time the dealer determined that a faulty window switch was the cause. The dealer was unable to identify the cause of the most recent failure and could offer nothing more than a suggestion that we bring the car back in should the problem happen again - although they were unclear what additional steps they could take at that point. We currently regret the purchase. We had hoped to use this vehicle as our main car for out of town trips but now are not confident driving away from town should the vehicle leave us stranded. Not willing to take that chance from a safety perspective.