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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  Thrilled or Not - Still Best Van - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By pd24 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Was looking for room for my family of 5 and quality to last. Owned 2 Hondas prior. Hey folks, dont blame Honda for the build quality - except for allowing it to be built in the US! Had an ABSOLUTELY trouble-free Civic and still have a CR-V - BOTH built in Japan. DESPITE the US build and occasional American creeks, we still love it.

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  Good All-Around Van - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Totrod - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven every mini-van offered in the U.S. (something like 16 of them) and this was the best overall. High horsepower coupled with standard features that are packages everywhere else and that great 3rd row magic seat scored high with me. Im hoping that it will prove the Honda hype about reliability. One thing thats nice to know is that practically every car, truck, or van on the planet depreciates faster than this one.

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  Civic LX Sedan - 2001 Honda Civic
  By neoneo22 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The only two bad things about the civic are the back seat comfort and the wind noise. The back seat has plenty of room, but having to carpool 50 miles a day, I get plenty of comments about there not being enough support back there.

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  Great car, great value - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By bpeterson27 - March 21 - 9:50 am

  We have put on 3000 miles during the past month. 4WD engages seamlessly. Fuel economy in city is 23, at 65 mph is 21, 70 mph is 20 - disappointing only in that Honda estimates are typically spot-on. 26 isnt going to happen. Plenty of power, room, fair visibility. Fog lights, rear deflector, front mud flaps excellent add-ons. Rear wiper is intermittent- only and not adequate in wet climate. Big blind spots left and right rear. Removed center rear headrest, but no place other than well provided to store it. Driver seat hard on back on long highway hauls. Noise level was surprisingly high.

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  Last Honda for me .... - 2006 Honda Accord
  By ddent01 - March 20 - 2:17 pm

  After owning Hondas for the last 30 years I am on my last one. Why you ask? Its the dealers and Honda corporate US. My local dealer service dept has one great service manager and I could do without the remainder of this dept. They continue to increase oil change fees and recently wanted to charge $129 for a transmission fluid change. Went to another dealer and got it done for $49. HONDA CORP if you read the online forums then please note you have lost another customer. I am tired of dealers nickel /diming me to death. $300 for a 30k service and the main thing you do is oil/filter, air filter, cabin filter ?!?!?! Sorry, guess its Toyota from now on.

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  Gas mileage is terrible! - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By L Lenell - March 19 - 7:13 pm

  I like the car but cant afford the gas. We are paying about $80.00 a week for gas. I wish we had gone with the cr-v

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  Good Work or Run Around Town Car - 2004 Honda Civic
  By John - March 18 - 10:30 pm

  I bought this to drive to and from work because of the dependability and resale. This is my first Honda and I bought it with just 23K. It replaced my Ford Escort. Gas mileage is about 1 or 2 MPG better than 2002 Escort. It sits better and has better acceleration than the Escort. Honda gets about 32-36 MPG to and from work which is about 8 miles in town, 34 miles on freeway. I do not just drive it in town. It gets twice as good of MPG as my Mountaineer!

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  Sport/Economy - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Matt Weiler - March 18 - 4:54 pm

  Poor rear window visibility, picks up a lot of road noise, Auto transmission lugs in regular drive mode at 10-20 mph, unless you stomp on it.

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  Overall a Good Vehicle - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By am - March 17 - 10:00 pm

  I have 100K miles and have had only a few annoying issues. The driver door cant be unlocked and the power outlet is dead, but overall, this has been a good vehicle. Feels sturdy and rides well. Cabin is noisy on the highway, but feels secure on a roadtrip. Biggest annoyance (other than not being able to get in on the drivers side!) is the small fuel tank. Good mileage, but since the tanks small, I live at the gas station.

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  Problems with Hybrid - 2003 Honda Civic
  By scomom - March 17 - 6:54 pm

  Having gone from a Jeep Wrangler to this car, I was not impressed w/the drive. Just very plain. It did get great mileage, but there are issues w/this car that are hard to find. The CVT transmission is bad and Honda avoided a recall by doing an extended warranty. It will not apply, however, if you have a salvage title like me. But apart from the $3100 transmission at 87k miles, the commutation sensor went out in about 4 months...$1300! My advice is to avoid the hybrids. What you save in gas you spend on costly repairs.