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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  200 honda odyssey - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By tw - April 21 - 7:12 am

  Paid $21,000 new off the showroom floor in Alaska. Van has 117,000 miles and has had no major problems. Replaced timing belt at 100K but it did not need to be replaced, the old one looked like new. Tried to sell it a few years ago at fair market value but no takers.

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  Overrated! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By zred5150 - April 21 - 4:42 am

  I have been a staunch Honda fan my entire life. Until I purchased 2005 Odyssey EX-L RES. First the brake rotors had to be replaced. Next came the horrible wind noise. The road noise is very "American". The windshield cracked for no apparent reason. The Dealer tries extremely hard to talk down to me, even though I know more about autos than the service dept. Took the van in because mpg sucked fuel! The best I got was 22 on hwy with tailwind, and 18 in town (I did almost as good in my 4wd Toyota Sequoia!). The dealer took it for a "test drive", and using less than 1 gallon of gas and using very questionable math said it was getting 32 MPG. I love most things about the van, I just want answers!!!

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  Another Great Honda - 1998 Honda Civic
  By risingsn - April 20 - 2:03 pm

  I bought this car new because of the fuel economy & the fact that it was a Honda (my 8th). The first few years I was in sales & on the road all the time, I cruised @ about 85mph & got 37-38 mpg. Currently my wife commutes in this car 4 miles ea. way, in town & gets 32 mpg. Last week we drove 4 hrs (to Sea World & back) @70 mph & got 39 mpg. Other than normal maintenance I have only had to replace the B pipe & the blower fan. The A/C is good (Florida), the manual trans is flawless. There can be road noise if your tires become unevenly worn. Currently the car has 165K mile & is still a great car. If you can find one, buy it!

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  Love the Car - 2001 Honda Accord
  By yam - April 19 - 5:07 am

  I just bought a used Honda Accord EX. The car was flawless when bought,even though it had some high miles,other than that it still driving very strong. I had another Accord previously,1997 loved it but the car was totaled due to a stupid driver, but safe! That is why I saw one at the dealership, I had the technicians look it over, it was excellently maintained. Hope to get another 2-3 yrs usage out of it. Great ride for awesome price, and the dealership took car of me well at Infiniti of Charlotte! Ask for mo he will take care of all your car buying needs!

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  belt noise revisited - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By pdoff - April 18 - 2:23 pm

  Still too early to report on gas mileage. Wrote partial review earlier about belt/pulley noise. Third time was a charm, dealership stepped up and replaced my Pilot. I picked out another EX-L off the lot and started fresh. Great customer service. Much nicer experience. Fun to drive? Come on its a nice sedate transporter. Hopefully this time it will be Honda quiet and reliable. Like a great minivan without all the room and stereotype.

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  Element Toaster - 2003 Honda Element
  By Charles Gilbert - April 18 - 9:47 am

  Great handling and economy for an SUV. Parking is never a problem and the Element turns on a dime. Performance is adequate and it runs as smooth as a sewing machine. We can haul our two dogs with ease and the cargo area is very versatile.

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  Rolling Brick - 2006 Honda Element
  By sweeks1360 - April 17 - 10:04 pm

  Very fun vehicle to drive and I love the open interior space. Plenty of room for tall people. Great cargo hauling capacity and easy clean interior. Great sound system - 270 watt stereo. Ride in back seats can be bumpy, but nice moonroof for the rear people. 2007 model has 5 speed automatic and can get slight better highway mileage than this 4 speed automatic, but still decent mileage.

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  Odyssey Touring - NAV/RES/PAX - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By White Tiger - April 17 - 3:52 pm

  Purchased as a Honda Certified used car. I was impressed by the long list of features and the fact that at 67" I could not only drive it, but could sit in all the other seats with reasonable comfort (OK, headroom isnt terrific in the third row...). If the 05 had the telescopic steering wheel of the 07s and up (and if Honda had been thoughtful enough NOT to have put a big bulge in the ceiling to house the rear HVAC controls right over a tall drivers head!), it would be even better! I read about gas mileage problems, but I get about 21 overall (26 when mixed with half freeway miles), and can easily get a steady 30+ going down the freeway at 60 mph. P.S. 34K on PAX with 30%+ left.

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  Good car - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Guy - April 17 - 8:46 am

  This car has been the family car for a while (including a back and forth trip NJ-FLA). So far the car is good, but not great. Maybe its the first year blues after the redesign, but already problems have arisen. The a/c went once already. The dealers story was that the condenser apparently got hit by a rock, and had to be replaced. There have also been windshield wiper problems which are difficult to explain but require fixing. Other nit picks include the exaggerated turning radius, the car easily bottoming out on speed bumps and such, crappy standard radio, and amplified road noise. Dont misunderstand me, this is a good car, I just wonder if there are better small sedans out there.

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  New to this model - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By diggy415 - April 17 - 7:20 am

  Well my third type of Honda, so far so good, 6cd changer, moon roof, lots of doggy room to boot, Will be taking this off road a lot. Dont know how it handles in snow yet, but love the comfortable ride it gives and the stereo sound.