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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  My 2004 Element - 2004 Honda Element
  By Shree Hatton - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I love my 2004 Element. Every time I get in to it, I smile. Everyone is asking me about it.

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  First and foremost, its a Honda - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By laweiner - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Great fit for someone looking for a reliable mid-size SUV with a peppy V6, and flexible seating and storage. We feel that we got great value for the dollar and would buy another one. This is not an SUV for someone looking for luxury (inside and out), seating for 8 adults, shifter in the console, or tall drivers. The latter is a nuisance issue to me since I am unable to fully stretch my left leg on long drives.

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  Only 25k miles w/ problems - 2001 Honda Civic
  By WIDEMIND - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought car brand new. Looked good, was fun to drive. Very soon after, bits of door panel kept detatching - particularly in the handle where a piece covers the screws to hold it in place.... it wont stay without glue. Comfort not all that great - was pretty peaved to find that only driver side had an arm rest. Material used wasnt the best. Just a typical interior design. Now at 25/k miles w/ rattles in dash. A/C could be stronger. Turning radius isnt very good. Older civics are much better.

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  My Honda! - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Baybkakes101 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  i lovvvveee my new car! As a teenager, its the perfect size for me and a few of my friends!

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  Nice Car - 2004 Honda Civic
  By drowe - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Great car, quite peppy, holds the road quite nicely. Outside styling a bit odd (that is why I bought it!. More european vice Japanese. Built in England, but with Japanese quality. My only real gripe so far is the cars interior scratches real easy and the seat material should have been all cloth vice the mesh material used. I drive it daily as my work car and it does great. When I put the wife and kids in, we still zip right along, but prefer to drive with them in the Honda Odyssey. This is my car!

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  Almost perfect - 2003 Honda Accord
  By JeffC - July 25 - 10:00 am

  The 2.4 engine on my EX has very nice acceleration from the line, but I find its lack of passing power a real drawback. At any speed above 45mph, there just isnt any go juce. I also find that it struggles with 4 adults. My biggest complaint is the rear bumper. It seems thin skinned. Someone backed into me and left a ugly crease in it. The damage was cause because of the supports under the bumper. More foam padding would have helped here. I also can feel engine vibration through the steering wheel at 1000-1200 RPMs. All in all, these are minor complaints. The car is excellent overall.

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  Honda Heaven - 2004 Honda Accord
  By slick six - July 25 - 10:00 am

  More than you expect for the investment. Strong dealer support.

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  watch out before you buy 2018 odyssey - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Imran - July 25 - 6:44 am

  I just bought 2018 odyssey less then 1000miles and my rear entertainment system stop working and went to dealer and find out software problem and honda cannot fix it until they have new update software so I was upset because its not my fault honda has to replace with new RES but they are not so please before you buy make sure it works and its not only mine there so many people having same issues....Go to Odyssey forum and you will find details..

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  Improvement over 05 - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Chief - July 25 - 4:13 am

  My wife and I purchased an 05 Civic Hybrid. The 06 is a whole different car. Everything that could have been improved on the 05 was addressed. The only thing remaining is more power but that may be the price of the great mileage. Were getting 44 mpg now in the very cold weather.

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  What a great vehicle! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By TruckStir - July 25 - 2:50 am

  The Ridgeline is the perfect all- purpose vehicle. It was designed, engineered, and built to be versatile and it lives up to its intent. I was skeptical until I test drove all of its competitors and the Ridgeline on the same day. One stood so far out from the rest that I bought one the next day. It was the Ridgeline.