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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  Why I bought a 2002 - 2000 Honda Accord
  By MC - August 28 - 6:56 pm

  I had my 2000 Accord stolen and then wrecked. I have seen other cars that have been wrecked and I was pleased to see that my car had protected the passenger compartment very well. (So well the thugs were able to escape from the crash unhurt!) My insurance company gave me $21,838 for the car before my deductable. I bought a 2002 the same day for one reason: VALUE. A new car is a bad investment, so if you must drive a new car you might as well buy one that is relible and holds its value.

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  Odyssey transcends the Mini-Van stigma. - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Nathan - August 28 - 4:26 pm

  Honda continues to build a great vehicle with so many features, plenty of power, and comfort necessary for those long trips. The ride is smooth and quiet but yet theres plenty of power in reserve when you need it. All the leather seats are very comfortable and actually fit an adult over 6 tall (a major selling point for me). We didnt purchase the touring because the additional features were not needed and the consensus was that there are still issues with the run-flat tires that need to be worked out. I think the parking sensors should be standard - instead I will be purchasing them from Bernardi Parts. This van has the same turning radius of my 95 accord!

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  Nice Ride, until its COLD outside! - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Marty03 - August 28 - 2:16 pm

  You cant have everything you want in any new vehicle, however, our HR-V is a nice ride, comfortable, quiet, handles smooth, acceleration is good (have not tried mountains and steep hills), Great gas mileage (leave in ECO mode and D) Back seats are very easy to move into position needed, style is nice. CONS: Charging area is hard to get too, Touch screen and climate control is frustrating, center console could have a bigger compartment for CDs (instead of the two small ones), back headrest need to be redesigned, Rear tailgate latch need to be automatic or redesigned (one small latch in the middle, not easy to open and have to slam the door to close it - cheap strip above the latch if not knowing how to open the latch, you would pull the cheap strip off - happened 3 times now by someone getting into the back to get something). As far using android phones - ours doesnt work well. Are we sorry in buying the HR-V....not yet - we like it so far, but its only been 2 months - time will tell. Update: Gettin more use to this HR-V however; cold air comes in both front doors. Had this vehicle since Oct. 2015 now. Still have cold air in doors, dealers wont do anything. Says they all are like that. Reported it to Honda, they took down my information, Vin # and all then said its up to the dealer, called other dealers and they say you have to go where you bought it at. I know I wont be keeping this one like I did my Blazer, Dodge, and Chevy for over 12 years! Wont buy another Honda, they dont seem to care!

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  Its good enough for me - 1996 Honda Accord
  By Contagious01 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Well by the fact of me being a college student this car is off da hook....It is great on gas has enough get-up and go for me and it will run up and down the interstate with the best of the other brands....I just broke 146,000 miles and it just seems to run even better with a lil bit more power of course with a couple of mods.

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  I have a lemon of the batch - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Odyonwer - August 28 - 10:00 am

  zpoorly built vehicle. Dealer had to replace high-mount brake spoiler because the gasket underneath melted in hot weather. Rear light covers-cracked and peeled off. Dealer had to repaint the front bumper because of discoloration (yellow) - original paint is silver. Repaint part of roof top because of rust spot from under the paint! steering wheel cant to the left. Very loud metalic bang (like someone hits the engine w/a hammer) when the AC is engaged after engine started if the car is unused for overnight - the dealer still cant figure out!!!! I need advice!!!!

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  Great except for road/wind noise - 1999 Honda Accord
  By mgarida - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Honda Accord and I have generally been pleased with performance & reliability. After purchasing this one I noticed very loud road / wind noise when traveling on the highway. Talking quite loud is necessary for conversation on the highway. The vehicle has a sunroof with bug shield, which may have some culpability but the noise does not seem to be localized in that area. Thats my only complaint, but its a very annoying problem.

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  EX-L Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By HQ - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Best all-around SUV. Smooth and quiet V6. Seats for 8 and flat cargo when 2nd and 3rd row seats are fold down. Muscular and good looking SUV. Wide stance should provide good stability.

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  Pilot takes out the competition - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Rick Sheehan - August 28 - 10:00 am

  It is all very simple, quiet, lots of room and storage, quality inside and out, Honda reliability and no competition that compares in all of the above categories. We love our Pilot!

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  as nice as it comes - 2000 Honda Accord
  By gsa - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd accord with 36,000miles and my first v-6, everytime i drive this car it reminds me why i got an accord, rides sweet, cannot hear the engine on the highway, light throttle responds to quick power. no problems yet, but a little squeak from the sunroof. problem can be solve, spray a little silicon lubricant onto the rubber seal of the sunroof. this fixed my squeak, its because the rubber is dry from its oil and is rubbing against the roof. anyways overall this car is a "10" on my list. slight road noise, depends in certain roads, but no wind noise in my car. my last accord had 256,000 miles on it and lets see how many can i put on this one.

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  What more could a girl wnat?! - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Betsy Ray - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I was all ready to test drive a Toyota Prius last December when an article at Edmunds.com alertted me to Hondas plan to make a hybrid Civic. With Civic reliability and safety and the fuel mileage and low emissions of the hybrid engine, this is THE PERFECT CAR (OK, all electric would be even better, but I regularly travel farther than current electrics will run on a single charge.)