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:

• 

  My beater - 1990 Honda Civic
  By knemt - June 4 - 9:48 pm

  I have had this car for 6 yrs now. Still running strong. I have replaced many part on it my self. The clutch was the hardest thing to do. Other then that afew things here and there and mostly for under $100. I have stripped the car inside and out many times. I love this car. I get around 32-38 mpg but thats after taking the ac and dash out. Next will be turning it in to a mini truck. Hope to get even better mpg. All in all a great little car. Easy to work on.

• 

  Cracked seats.. - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By PFH - June 4 - 11:31 am

  Had drivers (leather) seat skin replaced twice in first two years because of cracked side panel. Replaced whole seat bottom including foam last year. That is three seats in less than three years. Now they say no more warranty to replace both front cracked seats. This on a car only three years old. Passenger seat is now cracked on the side panel as well.

• 

  "Like a Go-Cart - 1994 Honda Civic
  By AlexJDMcivic - June 4 - 8:39 am

  I recently purchased my new Honda Civic 3dr DOHC 1.6 vtec straight from japan. Right hand drive, good car had some radiator hose problems, good traction and good acceleration, vtec

• 

  Ridgeline - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Dennis - June 4 - 7:20 am

  Nice crossover for a compact truck. Trunk is a nice but if you put a cover over the back you can only open trunk 75% not so good. accessories pricey.

• 

  04 Civic EX Coupe 58K - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Shawn - June 3 - 10:51 pm

  This is overall a pretty solid car. The trick with this generation Civic is to avoid the 1st two model years, and ideally the 04-05 iterations seem to be the most reliable. Interior is the typical attractive/conservative Honda mix, ditto with the outside. Performance, its not a performance car, but for 1700 ccs and getting the gas mileage it does, it performs admirably. Fun to drive, Honda always hones in driving responses (gearbox, steering etc) which make them fun to drive, not a chore. For the enthusiast, these arent cheap to make "fast", but theyre awesome cars for suspension modification. This hugely improves the fun to drive element (at the cost of ride quality, of course).

• 

  used odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Nik - June 3 - 8:48 pm

  Heard a lot about the noise in the cabin. well try changing the tires to Yokohama avid trz 235/65/16. they are really quiet. but I do agree, that since its a family van, Honda should improve on the noise damping materials.

• 

  Love it - despite the gas mileage - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Scott King - June 3 - 6:32 pm

  Recently purchased a 2008 Ridgeline and love it. We actually were looking at replacing our 2005 CR-V with a new one, but discovered we could get the Ridgeline at a much cheaper lease rate. After considering the gas mileage, we went for it and dont regret it. This truck is fantastic, great ride, excellent interior design and the trunk below the box is wonderful. We have used it to haul items from Lowes and bring other things to the dump and forgot how nice it was to have a truck. If you are not commuting long distances to work and want a nice work truck with style, this is for you.

• 

  200,000 miles may be the limit! - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Denise - June 3 - 1:40 pm

  We bought the Odyssey new and have 197,000 on it 8 years later. I had hoped to keep the van for 4 more years (300,000 miles) but may not make it. I had ERG problems several times and was never able to get the dealer to fix it even though they identified the ERG as defective. It costs $300 each time for repairs. The sliding doors are a potential problem. Both open with a hard knock, but are still operational. Im sure a fix will be needed in the near future. I also had a $3500 transmission rebuild in Dec. 2007. Now six months later the van is back in the shop because the transmission is slipping. A Prius may be in my immediate future!

• 

  Not what I hoped for UPDATE - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Hammock246 - June 3 - 12:40 pm

  One more trip Illinois to FL and back on business and have to say I dont think this van will be with me for a year. Passenger side door sounds like its falling off on bumpy roads. Creaks & groans from front end all the time. Rear hatch does not always respond to keyless input to open. Now 6400 miles and will need 1st service soon. Brought in to dealer at 3500 miles but they said not to service until 15% on meter. Told them about the rattles and the guy said "well, its a van." Yeah, but at $40,450 I hoped for better.

• 

  The IMA Battery - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Pete - June 3 - 9:30 am

  The IMA light came on, so I took it to the Dealer to check. The IMA system was not charging, so they had to order a new one for me. The cost of replacement was $5000, which I did not have to pay, as they are warrantied for 10 years. I wanted to know if this is a common problem with The Honda Hybrid, as mine is less than 4 years old.