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:

• 

  Awesome and 100% Better than pre-2002 s - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By sherryi - February 8 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I awaited the release of the bigger, more powered 2002 CRV, as our 99 was underpowered and shifted way too poorly for our mountain living. The 2002 shifts like a gem, little if any transmission noise. Interior is much more comfortable and intuite, although the auto shifter takes a bit getting used to. All the Honda reliability, unique features and great mielage for an SUV. We are very happy with this buy.

• 

  Great bang for your buck! - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By First Time SUVer - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I, too, almost purchased a Highlander, until my husband begged me to look at and test drive the Pilot. I was immediately in love. The space inside this SUV is amazing. It is much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside ... and the seats are very comfortable (love the leather). Being new parents, we really digged the DVD, and figured it would come in handy on long road trips with the kiddos.

• 

  Awesome car - 2002 Honda Civic
  By RocketMan - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven this car back and forth to work 40 miles each way, 5 days a week, for the last 1 yr+. Pros: Awesome mileage (AVERAGE = 38) for any car, nevermind an Automatic!!!, tight suspension (contrary to what Ive read) in that I can hug a well-rounded 90 degree turn at 40 mph, car exudes quality (kicks ass on any of the 3 Fords and 2 Toyotas Ive had). Cons: Stereo sound just so-so (needs high quality bass-response for the EX), road noise (a bit loud for my taste), no center arm rest (the one that it comes with is a joke!)

• 

  Another satisfied Honda Accord EX driver - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Derek H. Detjen - February 8 - 10:00 am

  The ride is great, quiet and smooth. My 3rd Honda in a row with NO mfgrs defects at all - great quality control. The service dept is quick, reasonable and reliable, about 1/2 the cost of a Nissan for any given task/service. This was my main reason for switching, after 25yrs driving Z-cars. The interior is immaculate, and looks like a much more expensive car - well keep this one for quite a while. Braking (ABS) is great and the car inspires confidence when driving. Gets the advertised mpg, both on the road and in town.

• 

  Watch your front end - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Todd - February 8 - 12:50 am

  I purchased the Honda Civic EX without a test drive since I had already test drove the 2006 Civic and the 2006 Toyota Corolla last year. I liked the way the Civic drove while being somewhat of a cross between an economizer sedan and a luxury car. Highway mileage at 40 seems to be a misnomer. I cant beat 36 mpg with slow acceleration highway although I have less than 2,000 miles on the car. My previous new Civic (1990) beat the ratings, so these new ratings seem to be overly optimistic.

• 

  Not a bad coupe spacious inside - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Zohaib - February 7 - 6:45 pm

  Great first car no problems what soever even with the cvt transmission has enough power havent had any problems drives nice great fuel saver and a spacious coupe.

• 

  Vibrations will drive you crazy - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Laura S. Fitzgerald - February 7 - 10:04 am

  We owned this vehicle for one day when I said to my husband, "this car needs to be tuned." We brought it back to the dealer and they said they could not do anything. Honda did not have a fix. We test drove the car when it was cold out -- it did not vibrate. When the car warms up -- the vibrations are so bad that I do not like driving the car. Dont buy this car until they fix the problem. I have been waiting 4 months ...no fix yet.

• 

  I want to be in CONTROL - not it!!!!! - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Chris - February 7 - 7:21 am

  I know I should love this car and I know old ladies shouldnt swear. But, I freaking hate this car and wish I had bought an older model, which is sad because I havent bought a new car in 13 years! 1)Auto Stop - if you are stopped for a tiny amount of time, the engine will shut off and restart when you move the steering wheel or take your foot off the brake. IT IS UNNERVING!! When I bought the car, the dealer said you can turn that irritation off but he meant you have to turn it off every time you start the car. 2)The freaking BEEPING - you can turn the incessant beeping off and risk backing into a brick wall if youre not used to the camera, or you can leave it on and have it annoy the living @!#%& out of you - when youre backing out of an underground spot with nothing for 2-3 in any direction, when youre rounding a tight turn on your daily trip home (??????), or when it thinks youre too close to a car in front of you - Im not yet dead, Im not blind, if Im that close to a car in front of me its because I WANT TO BE!! 3)The incredibly stupid feature that unlocks all the windows - my boyfriend says its unlocking the doors, then holding the unlock button down. However, it happened to me when I LOCKED the car and not sure what got pressed as the key jostled in my purse. In any case, who EVER wants all their windows opened unless theyre IN THE CAR? I live in Seattle - rain, rain and more rain, twice now in my car completely accidentally. In summary of the features, TOO $%^&& MUCH! When I want a driverless car, Ill get one, til then LET ME DRIVE THE CAR!!!!! And finally, I dont know if its suspension or what, but going over speed bumps or into a big profile driveway (dozens of times a day for most people), is detrimental to your spine.

• 

  01 Civic EX replacment - 2006 Honda Civic
  By bill c - February 7 - 1:13 am

  After 5 years of no problems with our 01 EX we traded it in on the 4dr EX. The resale amazed me in comparison to the other cars we were considering to trade. This was one of the primary considerations we examined prior to purchase. It appears Honda has hit a home run in our initial ownership experience. The car is significantly quiter than the 01 Coupe we had and more comfortable. Fit and finish also receive high marks. Took it on a trip the day we purchased it and got 38 MPG on the highway.

• 

  Vibration and shuddering - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Brian Stevenson - February 6 - 10:18 am

  Just picked up my new 2015 CRV EX AWD a couple of weeks ago. Noticed right away that when it warmed up and hit certain speeds, taking foot off gas and then lightly depressing the pedal and there was a shuddering like the car was in the wrong gear. Took to the dealer and service manager came for a test drive and told me that was normal! Crap! No other new vehicle I have had did this. I thought I was buying quality by buying Honda, wrong!