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:

• 

  great car !! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By 03 hybrid owner - March 25 - 10:00 am

  regular Civic looks, handling, feel, comfort. Great acceleration off the stoplights. Wonderful brakes.

• 

  My Honest Opinion - 2004 Honda Accord
  By MikeyMo - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I was going to buy a V6 Accord or a V6 Camry. It came down to the Accord for multiple reasons but primarily: More powerful engine, Better fuel consumption, More options standard, Renouned quality. I have put 400 miles on my new Accord and this is what I think: The V6 is amazingly quiet and deceptively powerful. It comes with 16 inch Michelin tires all thw way around. I was doing 80 MPH on route 295 on a rainy day and when I realized it had to slow down (I didnt want a ticket). I cant emphasize enough how impressed I am with the powertrain capability and smoothness.

• 

  disappointed with poor mileage - 2004 Honda Accord
  By anabella - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the price but very disappointed with mileage. City driving and air conditioning on, sometimes:13 miles per gallon,on the highway: 18 .Mileage does not correspong to advertized numbers of 19 (city) and 27(highway).

• 

  Honda Slips - 2006 Honda Civic
  By limee - March 24 - 4:33 pm

  This is my 4th Honda and have noticed with each one the build quality has deteriorated and problems have increased. This one immediately had creaking and groaning noises from the rear passengers side and has been in the shop twice and am awaiting a faulty shock. The build quality is severely lacking from my first tight Honda with ill fitting plastics and overspray inside the doors and boot and just generally lacking.

• 

  I love to drive this car! - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By steel blu - March 24 - 1:53 pm

  I enjoy the looks of this car and the beauty of the ride. Mileage isnt that great but this is an SUV and the engine has some spunk. The only big complaint is the size of the key. Its BIG. Couldnt they have built it to fold in a case.

• 

  the best - 2005 Honda Civic
  By isaias - March 24 - 10:56 am

  its fun to drive, it has fear, decent power. i drove the car to mexico from san antonio and made it all the way to my destination, drove it in mexico for 2 days and i still made it back to the border to refill my tank to come back to san antonio. what i was trying to do, is to find out how far the car can go with 1 full tank, i get about 430 mi. in the city, this time i wanted to pushed further, and the car gave me 562 miles on 1 full tank. this is a great honda, reliable, economic, etc. i love my 2004 honda civic ex. when the powerfull 200 hp civic si model comes to the market of san antonio in 2006, it will defenetly be in my drive way.

• 

  I love it! - 2004 Honda Element
  By pruvallejo - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Drove the Element from the SF Bay Area over the Sierras to Reno and back last weekend. It did better than I expected in the mountains, climbing at speed without problems. I chose the car mostly for its cargo- carrying capability, and have been very happy with it for that reason. I would NOT choose black again, though the Honda black is nice, with dark blue metallic flakes in the paint. Its just too hard to keep clean. Yesterday I say one with the darker silver/gray color...should have chosen that, I think. Live and learn!

• 

  So far, so good - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By PlumPink - March 24 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Honda. Our first one, a Civic LX sedan, which we still own, is 16 yrs. old so we chose Honda for its reliability. While we are pleased with the Odyssey so far, we wish there was a "fix" for the "clicking" noise which occurs (from the rear wheels) when braking. Apparently, this is a problem with both the Odyssey and the Pilot.

• 

  Pilot is a Good Choice - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By GAF-Mad, WI - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Have had our Pilot for over a year and a half now and are very happy with it. Traded in a 97 Blazer w/o 4-wheel drive, which was scary to drive in the snow with, not to mention the teeth- chattering ride and consistent steering/suspension problems. In the Pilot, we feel 100% safer now. Very few problems. Excellent Honda quality. Very sure-footed, smooth transmision, lots of power and storage space and most of all, quiet smooth ride.

• 

  Excellent vehicle in its class. - 2001 Honda Civic
  By pato - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Great fuel efficiency, clean engine, a basic instrument panel and performance and reliability never matched by any American-designed subcompact or compact class cars. Over 35K with no major repairs (except for brakes and regular maintenance).