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 driving this honda ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By john wesley harding - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy driving this truck drive beautiful, handle the road and curve easy,drove it to the mountain in Gatlinburg Tennessee it handle the high hills with no problem. not too bad on gas.

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  Spirit of the old CRX intact - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By CRXLover - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Picked this car up as soon as it hit the showrooms. I love the styling, it attracts quite a lot of looks from everyone. Really does look like a modern CRX. Mine is the EX with the 6 spd and it was quite hard to find, had to preorder from dealership. It was worth the wait because I absolutely love taking this car out on the road. Its very fun to drive and still gets great gas mileage. I have about 1500 miles and average 38 mpg with the stick and hard driving. The hybrid power train is very torquey but still provides the Honda high rpm VTEC rush in sport mode. If Honda comes out with an Si version with the K20Z3 from the Si I will trade it in but i love the fact that this car is a 2 seater.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By toobad - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my first Honda in 1985 I have purchased one every 5 years since. Once purchased, I never had to worry outside of routine maintenance. Around the year 2000 I started noticing minor issues and a decline in the fit and finish. The dealership would always pooh pooh my concerns and never find anything wrong. I purchased a 2005 Pilot 6/05 that developed major electrical problems at 100k miles. I traded it for a 2010 Pilot 3/10. I had it in the shop 3 times the first 3 weeks, 6 times the first 6 months. The blew me off with the sunroof issue. Now I have electrical problems, the drivers door wont open and close properly, the list goes on.

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  Fire Hazard! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By mike - September 15 - 2:00 am

  This car caught fire in my driveway. Thankfully, no one was hurt. The insurance company originally said that the fire was caused by a short in the wiring harness. They later stated that the cause of the fire was undetermined. There is no TSB for this problem, but there is a report on NHSTAs web site from another 07 Civic owner whos car ignited because of a faulty wiring harness. Honda needs to do something.

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  Never Again - 2010 Honda Civic
  By disenchanted owner - September 15 - 2:00 am

  As a previous 2004 Hinda Civic owner, I couldnt be more disappointed with his vehicle. the 2004 compared to this newer version was like a Cadillac. The sets and the headrests in the new car are more than uncomfortable. You cant see the front or back of the car, so its near impossible to park. Honda went VERY cheap with the interior and the emergency break is where you rest your knee to drive. Someone actually got paid a lot of money to redesign this piece of crap. Unfortunately Im locked into a lease for 3 years, I CANT WAIT for it to be over.

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  Just Love IT! - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Smiley - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I just bought mine this weekend and I love it. It has 139,000 miles on it but the guy took care of it and has all the paper work down to every oil change. It rides very well.

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  Disappointed - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By Kay - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I have been extremely disappointed with my new Pilot. Having owned Hondas in the past, I expected no problems but have many. Paint peeling on front bumper, scrubbing in front end when turning and breaking at same time, sunroof wont close if you are stopped, skipping on cool mornings, latch on 3rd row seat snapped. I hate to continue with negatives. Wish I had my GMC Yukon back! Took to dealership for the scrubbing, they said it was anti-lock breaks. They will paint my bumper but not replace it. This is not acceptable to have body work on a brand new vehicle especially when the mfg plant is 30 minutes away where they have newly painted bumpers to install on new Pilots. MPG not good.

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  Best (affordable) hybrid yet - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By GoHuskies - September 13 - 2:00 am

  What an amazing replacement for my civic hybrid. Great fuel economy in econ mode over the highway, nice passing power if I flip into sport. Interior is what really sold me and makes me look forward to taking a drive. This is by no means a sports car but it takes the win as the sportiest hybrid one can easily afford.

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  FamilyMobile - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By astrom - September 13 - 2:00 am

  The good: (a) Great for our family with the 2-year old twins. My wife can sit in the back between two car seats. At the same time, my mother can ride in the passenger seat. So it moves three adults and two kids and all the attendant stuff easily and comfortably (b) well equipped: gray leather is great with the kids, love heated seats and mirrors, good stereo (e.g. subwoofer, 6-CD changer, MP3 playback, auxiliary input for an iPod), love the sunroof (c) acceptable fuel economy (21 mpg overall), (d) 4WD is handy in winter (e) trouble-free after 19,000 miles (f) easy to live with, like a toaster, turn on/turn off, nothing more or less. Bad: (a) road noise (b) weak engine

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  My used Honda - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Nicole - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car used but was it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, everyday something new came up that made me love it less. My gas doesnt last me a week. I understand I drive quite a few miles from home to work and school but its ridiculous how in 4 days my gas would disappear completely. Driving it is great, until you notice the gas. It took me a good 3 weeks to finally get comfortable in my seat, even now it still doesnt feel right. Looks great thought!