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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  2nd Excellent Pilot - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By DG - August 21 - 10:36 pm

  Loved my 2005 pilot so much, that when the 2008 model offered side impact airbags, I bought it. I have been driving Honda pilots now for 5 years and have had absolutely 0 problems. Really. None. Extremely reliable. Roomy. Comfortable. Can see extremely well. If the Windows are down in the back without at least one of the front Windows being open a bit, there is an obnoxious vibrating noise from the back Windows.

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  Wouldnt suggest it to a friend - 1995 Honda Civic
  By SkyNightMoon - August 21 - 5:20 pm

  I Got a 95 civic dx i disliked almost everything about it the looks, its not my type of car, i mean it got great gas mileage, thats about it

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  Almost Perfect - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By yeh642 - August 21 - 3:34 pm

  I bought my 05 EX from a car broker 2 years ago in 2008 as I always wanted a SUV for the convenience and to able to go on trips with my family. Its been a great purchase thus far. The pilot has a powerful engine with ample room, the 3rd row seating is not great, but Ive been able to fit 9 adults (albeit were all skinny) comfortably on long trips. Ive used it many times to help my friends move, its easy to fold the 2nd and and 3rd row seats down for transporting large items, it can do it all! This past year I was able to test it out with the record snow falls in the north east, and drove through 2 ft of snow without any problems, if youre thinking about getting an SUV, I recommend it.

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  Avoid this vehicle - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Kanigetts - August 21 - 3:09 pm

  This van has been a terrible disappointment for us. There are so many small problems and a number of really big ones. The transmission is simply junk and Honda cannot fix it. Their rebuilt transmissions are no better. Parts are extremely expensive, more than my BMW. I had a 1992 Prelude which was great but apparently Honda has gone the way of Ford in terms of reliability. Time to try one of the Korean makers.

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  Better seats please - 2009 Honda Fit
  By arkdriver - August 21 - 9:55 am

  I have owned this car for a year. Very efficient design,fuel economy is good but not great (the computer overestimates fuel economy by about 5 mpg). Ive never experienced any issue with trucks or side winds. The car will haul most things, and is almost like a mini suv. Not one mechanical issue, and the powertrain is very solid. It is overall a very good commuter car. It is not a car for long road trips due to the drivers seats. The ipod connector is hidden, and works well. I wish i had the navigation system as using the standard display to operate the ipod is tedious. The nose is very low and it is very easy to drag on some driveways.

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  Ill NEVER buy HONDA again! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By cheliaj - August 20 - 10:38 pm

  I bought this car new in 2001. The transmission went out at 70,000 in spite of doing all scheduled maintenance. Honda Corp of American wouldnt help or discuss the matter. They refuse to acknowledge that my transmission should of been recalled with the rest of the recall transmission. The paint job was totally gone in the 8th year. I replaced the transmission with a new transmission, and now unsure if that transmission was any good. I always loved Toyota and wanted to try Accord out of curiosity. Im totally going back to Toyota and take my chances. At least Toyota will "man up to their product". Honda hides and denies the obvious. Ive driven this car for 9 years out of necessity.

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  2nd Pilot - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By Branton - August 20 - 10:34 pm

  This 2011 Touring Pilot has all of the bells and whistles, that make it a fun car to drive. Easy to a road trip in this vehicle. More room then a Chevy or Ford SUV crossover. The new pilot is bigger than our 2008 Pilot we traded in. The veh rides nice, handles corners and highway exit ramps nice. Feels close to the ground, not like its about to flip. Never had any issue with the sunroof. Out in heavy downpours, and never had a problem. Love the service from Bill Kay Honda. Sales staff and shop techs are the best I have ever dealt with. Good management at this Honda dealer.

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  2005 Pilot reflections after 80,000 - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Peter Fauerbach - August 20 - 5:07 pm

  Two areas of concern: poor sound system (need to fiddle, fiddle, fiddle with dials when switching from talk to music), and tailgate height when open. Other than those, it is a strong value. Very capable in icy snowy conditions.

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  Great mileage - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Gruncle - August 20 - 2:09 pm

  When I first drove it hated it. Needed something with good mileage. So I settled for the Insight. Best decision Ive made in a long time. Have had the car for just under 6 months over 15,000 miles. Drive 120 miles round trip everyday. If you keep the cruise control at the speed limit your mileage will continue to rise. I am getting 45.3 per gallon all types of driving and it is climbing higher. Looking forward to hitting 50 MPG.

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  Solid coupe, honda quality - 2009 Honda Accord
  By smallV6fan - August 20 - 1:56 pm

  Traded an 03 Accord with 3.0 V-6 for an09 EXL, 2.4, 190 HP. No complaints other than MPG could be better. The 4 cyl. has almost as much performance as one could hope for, but passed on the 3.7 V6 (overkill). I miss the 240 HP, 3 liter, a sweet engine. Why is Honda making the V6 larger and more powerful? A 2.8-2.9 V6 with 240 HP would be perfect for this car, and be a lot "greener".