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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  Honda Element - 2004 Honda Element
  By Eilleen - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I love my Honda Element. It may only seat four humans but it holds all six of my four legged kids. With the easy to clean interior it is the best vehicle with my dogs. With the way the doors work it is easy to load both cargo and dogs. I do wish it had better gas mileage but Im willing to give that up to have the cargo space.

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  Excited to Drive - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By 86Griff - May 20 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car to drive. We went from an Explorer to a Pilot and folks...there is a huge difference. The interior of this vehicle is wide and roomy. Significantly bigger than Explorer. The 8 passenger seating seats more than a minivan. Cant say enough about how wonderful this car is to drive. Would definately recommend to anyone looking to purchase an SUV or minivan. Its an Acura MDX without the woodgrain interior.

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  Best Car So Far - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Pastor Bill - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Our first Honda. Purchased new. It has been the best-ever car for us. Average mpg on road 36-38. Competent handling. Comfortable interior of high quality materials. Excellent switch gear. Absolutely reliable. If this one ever wears out, we will purchase anohter Honda.

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  The Best SUV for your $ - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Neal Golden - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought another Honda CRV only because it reliable and I gave my old CRV to future wife. My old CRV have 182,000 miles on it and never gave me any trouble. When I bought this car the dealer ask me if I wanted to take it for a test drive. I simple told him "NO". He look at me like I am crazy. I told him that my old car was driving like a charm. I felt there was need to test drive it because it reliable and dependable. I got my money worth on my 1999 CRV and I am expecting it to drive to 300,000. I am hoping the quality doesnt slip with my new Honda CRV compare to my 1999 Honda CRV since it was made in Japan. The only thing I am not crazy about is the emergency brake

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  The 2005 CRV SE ----ITS A REAL BEAUTY - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By mike marinaro - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Bought the Pewter Pearl 2005 SE with leather seats...its a beautiful car...the leather interior makes the car. It is so elegant looking....lots of amenities found on a much more expensive SUV..the car is loaded with heated seats,heated side mirrors, 6 CD changer, alloys, roof rack, door edge guards...the car is really sharp..and great pickup too

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  THIS ACCORD IS A JOY TO DRIVE - 2005 Honda Accord
  By harchie - May 20 - 10:00 am

  IVE DRIVEN TRUCKS FOR THE LAST 25 YRS,SO IN RETIRING I WANTED A SMALL RELIABLE CAR AND THIS IS THE ONE TO HAVE . IM SO SATISFIED WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT I PLAN ON KEEPING IT FOR A LONG TIME THE 4 CYLINDER 24 VALVE IMPRESSES ME FOR ITS PICKUP,QUIETNESS AND SMOOTH AUTOSHIFTING

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  Excellent Value - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Anthony - May 20 - 6:13 am

  Great riding truck, I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee prior and it had a lousy ride. The Pilot styling is plain looking, it could use some more chrome like the MDX chrome door handles and chrome running boards. The Pilot really shines with interior space. I have two kids and the extra room is great. I know Honda will continue improving this competitor envy SUV.

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  bumpy noisy ride - 2016 Honda Accord
  By George - May 20 - 6:11 am

  do a very long test drive before buying it

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  Great machine with one or two issues... - 2015 Honda Accord
  By RSJ - May 20 - 1:05 am

  I test drove this car thinking I might like to upgrade from my current Civic EX Sedan. I liked most everything about the car. The seats were comfortable, the cabin is open and spacious and the interior seems to be high quality. The ride and handling were excellent as usual with a Honda. The only two drawbacks where the behavior of the transmission/6 cylinder engine with the "active cylinder management" system and the controls for climate and entertainment. The transmission/engine behavior is VERY noticeable each time the computer switches between less cylinders and all cylinders in the V6 engine. It is particularly pronounced in around town, stop and go type driving. There is a constant hesitancy when you push the gas pedal and you feel the transition from 3 cylinders to 6 every time. I imagine someone who was taking this car out on the freeway a lot for cruising type driving would be happy but if you drive a lot around town, you may be annoyed like I was with the behavior of the engine/transmission. Once it "makes up its mind" how many cylinders, it GOES with gusto and is extremely smooth and quiet. The other thing I found annoying was the entertainment and climate controls - talk about confusing! I could not figure out how to get just a simple FM radio station to play with all the press and toggle actions necessary and TWO screens to look at. Honda desperately needs to simplify this system! I could not imagine trying to manage this while driving - disaster! Other than the two issues I mentioned, this was an impressive automobile - maybe as they continue to refine this car, they will work out the cylinder management system issues and the logic of the controls!

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  Too many compromises - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Shawn - May 19 - 8:06 pm

  After only 65,000 KM and 1 year, I traded this car in for a Corolla. First vehicle I have owned and not put more than 200,000 KM on. This vehicle, is poorly made. The rattles after only 15K are unacceptable, and everything is breaking. The throw out bearing went out at 40,000 KM along with the 4 disk breaks. The passenger window fell off the track 3 times. The fuel economy of my corolla in the real world is much better, 36 vs 42 MPG mixed driving even thought the civic is rated higher. There is so little low end torque, it is hard to drive efficiently. Also at 110 KM/H the car revs at 3K RPM in 5th. I really expected more! The car is very weak (poor starting/shifting) in cold weather.