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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  Can I return it? - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By Tracyp - August 27 - 12:15 pm

  I just purchased this vehicle a week ago and typically you are suppose to be excited when you get a new car but I cant seem to get there. Here is what I have noticed so far. It drives great and has a very smooth ride but for the price I think it is missing a lot of features that should be standard. To get blue tooth or a better stereo you have to purchase the $2000 navigation system. Unless you can afford to purchase the Touring model I would look elsewhere but Ill bet in that price range other models would still have better features. Honda claims that you get more at trade-in for their vehicles, I hope so because I dont think I will own this long.

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  My first car! - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Mrs. Idris Elba - August 27 - 11:53 am

  I bought this car used with 39,000 miles on it. I have only had it for a week and so far so good! The interior is very spacious and comfortable, and all of the controls are in perfect location in this car.

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  A Great SUV - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By Tommy P - August 27 - 11:26 am

  Ive had my Pilot nearly 3 months and I absolutely love it. Very comfortable interior and a great driving position. No problems with gas mileage. I dont have a heavy foot and my overall for 3700 miles is 20.2 mpg. I had a Tahoe, so I picked up about 3.5 mpg. Very good road feel. Very roomy. Ive had no reason to take it into the dealership. I would buy again! Its everything I expected out of a Honda.

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  The 2005 had better additions - 2010 Honda Civic
  By wshazbot62 - August 27 - 4:09 am

  I had a 2005 VP same as the 2010 I have now, big difference. The 2005 had keylock doors, smaller dashboard, a lid to the center console, ya really. I would have thought it would have new upgrades, not take away upgrades. I am so upset with how they took away minor options, that I thought were standard. You can hear the road noise a lot more in the 2010 then the 2005 too. All in all I am not happy with the new one, the car has made odd noises since day 1 and I have never heard a car sound like that before. But when I take it in, no noise. The 2005 had a grinding noise in the brakes, I take it in 5 times and the 5th time they find sand, and find mine was not the 1st to have that problem.

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  Excellent first car. - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Rob - August 27 - 1:32 am

  Bought my car brand new in July 2008 when gas was about $4.50 a gallon. Two years later and just over 20,000 miles and the car still runs and looks like the day I bought it. This being my first ever car and Honda to boot I have no major complaints whatsoever.

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  80,000 miles and gooing strong - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By dave - August 27 - 1:31 am

  i bought the 03 as a demo with 1400 miles on it. i bought the extended warranty,and it payed for the recall on the trans fix, at about 50,0000 miles the volatility joint went out,they fixed it. i had a little trouble with the car pulling to the right. honda fixed it. i bought the van in couer dalene honda and have had the best of service.and would buy another car from them. i do not commute with the car,mostly long trips. 38,000 miles the first 10 months . i have seance towed a 24 ft airstream trailer almost 10,000 miles with no trouble. the car lives in a garage when not being used,and kept clean and always serviced ever 3 to 4000 miles. i have replaced the tires. should have 80,000 soon.

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  Great car for the money - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Fellcolor - August 26 - 10:49 pm

  Definitely the fastest base model civic, and a real charm to drive. I put over 90,000 miles on the car in less than four years, from NYC at Friday commute to the length of Highway 1, and hour upon hour in Chicago rush hour. I had no regrets, and am not convinced that my new car will be as reliable over the next year as this car would be. The cabin is spacious and ergonomic. The speedometer is well placed and sufficiently easy to read that it becomes second nature. Visibility is certainly good enough. There are a lot of things that annoy me about this car, but it took a lot of thought and substantially more money to replace the car after years of hard use.

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  MiniTank - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By FW - August 26 - 10:33 pm

  This CR-V is an all wheel drive model, with manual 5speed The winning attributes are: All wheel Drive (I live in MN) Mileage is 20 city 25 hwy. build quality is great. ride and handling are great. load capacity in interior square footage is great. although she sags pretty easily with a weighty load. Engine runs super. breaking is great. the negatives are: drivers legroom is cramped. rear hatch door opens to the side (poopy in the rain). if you are someone who appreciates practicality and reliability vs fluff, you will like this car. (lookout for the legroom issue)

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  Honda Hassle - 2008 Honda Accord
  By seephone - August 26 - 8:39 pm

  We bought a Honda thinking that we would keep this car for at least 5 years, but after 2, we cant wait to get rid of it. We had brake problems the first day that we brought it home. Dealership would not really address the problem. I had to purchase a set of aftermarket brakes and rotors to fix the problem. The body panels and paint are cheaply made. It seems that we have more road chips and scratches then paint left! Would not buy another Honda!

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  It grows on you - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By MikeCVS18 - August 26 - 8:35 pm

  After 800 miles I am getting the feel of the 180 hp 2.4 L engine and finding it easier to access highways. Very responsive when passing . I am a average 55-65 mph driver. Driver seat broken in and comfortable, but still firm. Interior layout very good. The more I drive the CR-V the more I like it, also the layout on the dashboard nice placement, clear view.