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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  Common sense, fun car - 2010 Honda Civic
  By Lou - September 2 - 7:22 pm

  Hands down, best value for my hard earned money. Solid build quality top residual value in its class a true winner

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  Great little car! - 2009 Honda Civic
  By purkat60 - September 2 - 4:20 pm

  I went from minivan to this fun to drive car. The tiered dashboard was easy to adjust to. It has enough pep for getting on the freeway. Great a/c for living in Texas. Bought this over one year ago with no regrets. Get 28-30 mpg combined heavy city traffic and suburbs. Easiest car to wash on the driveway!

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  2003 ex honda - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Jim - September 2 - 4:05 pm

  Bought this Honda new and have 95,100 miles on and just had routine maintenance done to it. Great car.

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  Disgusted first-time Honda buyer - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Disappointed - September 2 - 11:10 am

  My first Honda and I was thrilled with it - for the first year and a half. Since then all hell has broken loose. Bought 1/07 2 recalls the first year put on 4 new 60K tires 8/08 rear stabilizer bar arms replaced 5/09 (dealer got it covered, but I had to pay for labor). Since then back tires are noisy (due to uneven tread wear from stabilizer bar arms) and back- seat passengers cant hear anything but tires cant rotate. Leaking power steering fluid 8/10 - had to replace rack system ($800) and told all 4 of my tires were shot and wouldnt even pass inspection! Called Honda corporate and they did NOTHING for me. First-time buyer and I will NEVER buy another Honda product!

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  MPG Disappointment - 2009 Honda Civic
  By c.hack - September 2 - 10:37 am

  After driving the Civic hybrid for 27,000 miles, I had gotten used to sacrificing performance for fuel economy. Unfortunately, after the last tune-up Honda applied some sort of firmware change that has killed both my MPG and my performance. MPG on 50 mph rural roads (optimal conditions) has dropped from 47 to 41 and acceleration is almost non-existent. This cars performance is so bad it is almost unsafe to drive.

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  Engine troubles - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Paul - September 2 - 8:59 am

  The van was nothing too special. The wireless head phone have never worked. The power steering pump is load most of the time. The road noise is load. The sound system is just average. This van will get stuck in 2 inches of snow! The real problem came at 80K. The engine light came on and the engine lost power. I thought that maybe we may have had a clogged fuel filter or something of that nature (I wish). One of the spark plugs broke off and fell into the engine and ruined it. $6000 dollars to fix it. Not under warranty! What happened to Honda? So disappointed I will never buy another.

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  One word for this suv. Cheap! - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By cessna100 - September 2 - 8:58 am

  Had the Pilot EX-L/RES 2 weeks. My 3rd Pilot. Traded a 2006 MDX. The 06 MDX is a MUCH better car. Very disappointing Honda. The interior fit and finish has to much hard cheap looking plastic. The ride is average but the road noise is terrible. 102.3 decibels peak at 60 mph (unofficial). The average was 92.6. I keep looking to see if I left a window open. Have Michelin LTX A/T2 tires. Very loud! Poor gas mileage. ECM is useless on this car. Works great in the Accord.

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  Great little car - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Chuck Rule - September 2 - 7:00 am

  A long time Honda owner, I just traded a Ridgeline, and I couldnt be happier. I put a lot of miles on my cars so I needed better fuel mileage. This car gets better than advertised. First tank 40 mpg (1/2 city/hwy). I used the a/c a lot on my second tank and got 37. I drive with a light foot, keep it in sport mode and shift up often, cant help to think what this cars mileage and performance could be w/ a DSG . This car is screwed together well. very tight with no squeaks or rattles. Stereo is nice quality and I got a few things that the Ridgeline didnt offer in 2008, like telescoping steering wheel, fog lights, and daytime running lights. For the price this Honda has a winner here.

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  Incredible Handling car - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By David Price - September 1 - 8:39 pm

  Anyone that thinks this car understeers has got the wrong tires on the car. The handling and cornering feel of this car is hard to match, even by newer cars. Ignore the specified mileage figures, at least for the VTEC. I would get 28-29 mpg cruise and no less than 26 mpg if I really put my foot into it a lot with a fair amount of city driving. The VTEC would start to kick in about 4500 rpm and felt a bit like a turbo. Passing 5 cars will put you over 120 mph in real hurry on the highway. The last time I got to drive this it had 130,000 miles on it and ran like new. It has always run on synthetic (Mobil-1 & Amsoil) engine/gear oil from the 1st oil change at 1000 miles. A drunk driver hit it.

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  Fit reality check - 2010 Honda Fit
  By fitness - September 1 - 7:46 pm

  The Fit is perfect for city and occasional short trip on the highway. With only 185/55/16 tires and narrow stance it easily gets blown around at highway speeds, the 1.5 liter motor works really hard and noisy just to get up 65 mph highway speeds. It does not like going 75 mph. My sport model lacks a lot of amenities. No floor mats, no door sill protectors, no cargo cover, cheap interior materials, lacks quality materials compared to the civics. Honda really skimp on this bare and basic model car. For the same price, I could have gotten the civic lx 4 door. I really think this sport model with automatic should have an msrp of around 15,000 tops and sold for maybe around 13,000 or so easily