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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  Like my Pilot very much - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By luppydog - September 5 - 2:17 am

  After a lot of research on similar SUVs (Rav, CRV, Cherokee, Pathfinder, Xterra) I drove the Pilot and immediately saw the difference. Quality interior and nice materials. Good takeoff and passing power, the ride is quiet and when youre not "on it" the 5-speed tranny will keep you cruising at around 2k RPM which helps gas mileage. When driven conservatively i average 20mpg on back road driving. ABS brakes work well, though dont always read imput well and will pull too hard sometimes. AWD feels seamless and it handles snow perfectly. Minimal quality issues, like the plastic housing inside my taillight broke and you cant take it apart to fix where it "pops" back together. Great car overall though.

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  Best Choice - 2008 Honda Civic
  By J Mitchell - September 5 - 1:53 am

  I have thoroughly enjoyed my purchase of this Civic. I use it for mostly city driving, and still get better than 31 mpg a tank, highlighted by a 38.4 tank on the highway. So far, very reliable, no surprises. It is able to accomplish all tasks I ask of it, including transporting bikes with a trunk rack. It has a very receptive pick up when necessary, but no sports sedan by any means. I like the interior styling overall, like all the storage compartments. Radio is decent, wouldnt mind a 6 cd changer instead of the single slot. For exterior styling, Im a big fan but I think the wing spoiler is a must, keeps it from looking like grandmas car.

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  Transmission is prone to failure at 90K - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Andrew - September 4 - 9:19 pm

  The 2003 purchased brand new along with a service plan for 3 years. Rides great good for long trips with the family. Transmission had a recall service done to it back in 2003 for slipping gears 2nd and 3rd. All fine till it hit 92,000 transmission totally failed and had to split the cost with Honda for a $4,000 transmission. I will not buy another Honda for this reason. Nissan Altima looks good to me.

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  Happy camper - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By JB - September 4 - 10:43 am

  Very happy with this vehicle. Just took long trip, loaded cab and m/c on back. Handling,power,comfort very good.Hoped for better gas mileage. 2700 Mile trip- only 16 mpg hwy. About 13 city.

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  Almost or Downhill - 2004 Honda Accord
  By leromero - September 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Honda Quality did not match previous cars, leather seats keep a lot of heat,plastic finishes are not quite good, the windshield distorts the view, I took it to the dealership, the manager was suprised to see it, we checked many cars in the lot and he acknowledged that the deffect was in every car even in the Oddiseys! He was truly surprised of not seen it before and that none saw that detail before. The car accelerates and breaks very well however the the quality almost there but did not matcht my other cars.

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  Doesnt compare to my (previous) Chrysler 300 - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Karl Pritchard - September 3 - 3:52 pm

  The good - I love the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping features. The car handles well for an SUV with a high center of gravity, and it has a tight turning circle radius. The auto-walkaway locking system is nice - it just locks itself if you forget, and walk away. The sound system is not very good, certainly not like any of the name-brand ones, as in other brand cars. The road noise is vary loud, and may be due, in part, to the tread pattern on the tires. My back-up sensors work fine, but the warning speaker is in the rear of the car, and the volume (not adjustable) is so low the it cannot be heard over normal conversation in the front seats. I have the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) systems in my car, but they are inoperative even though theyre turned ON - *another* dealer visit soon. And, if they did work, the manual lists so many exceptions that their usefulness is uncertain. My mileage, in ECO (economy) mode is around 30 mpg, with the 1.5 liter turbo engine. The same mileage that I got in my big Chrysler 300 with a 3.8 liter non-turbo V-6. And the Chrysler was way quieter inside. Ill probably be looking at ways to add soundproofing to this car in the near future - it needs it. All that being said, I like the car - mine is the Obsidian Blue color - I didnt get the Lava (which looks really nice in the brochure) because I couldnt see one in person (none on the lot). One really bad thing I have discovered is the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). It uses the axle speed sensors used by the abs system. As the Honda book states - all four tires must be the same "brand, model, size, and of equal wear". So, if you, like I had to do, have to replace just one tire, it will not be identical to the others, and the TPMS warning system will constantly alert and alarm. This CANNOT be reset or turned off. I have confirmed this with Honda. This means that, if you need to replace ONE tire, you MUST replace ALL FOUR..

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  Best rider and driver truck hands down - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By S. Sanders - September 3 - 9:06 am

  Purchased this truck for my husband. He loves the way it handles and I love the smooth ride. Living in Louisiana and driving on the famous I-10 roller coaster was always a jarring experience. With the Ridgeline you barely feel the bumpy road. There is plenty of room in the rear and for the driver, but I do think the front passenger could use a little more knee room. The swing out rear gate come in handy for easy access to the truck bed. The hidden storage in the bed is great. Overall it is a goid vehicle for our needs and is easier to maneuver and park then the bigger full size trucks. So far so good.

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  Mostly Utility, some sport - 2008 Honda Element
  By dc10920 - September 1 - 4:31 pm

  Very reliable, great ride and great for what I use it for. Best car in its class for a practical life. Easy to clean after the dogs have a dirty day in the park. Easy to get my mountain bikes in and out of. Outstanding for trips to Home Depot or Costco! Also, I am 6 ft 3in and this vehicle fits me better then much larger SUVs!

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  great car , bad mpg - 2008 Honda Fit
  By harry - September 1 - 1:11 pm

  I am electrician and service eastern n.c. I keep record of all gas used. In 3 mo 13,000 miles and 400 gal = 32.5 mpg thats 95% hwy. I have gotten in one tank 27 mpg to 43 mpg in another tank. Most tanks average 30-32 hwy driving on the flatside of Raleigh nc to nc coast. My best hwy mpg has been driving Raleigh nc west to winston- salem nc. I have had it to dealer 4 times and they say computer said everything is working properly. I got the car for the high mpg. gas prices are my enemy. I owed a 91 civic and got 37 mpg. Wish I still had it.

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  great - 2016 Honda Accord
  By ABE AMIRGHOLAMI - September 1 - 12:43 am