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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  20K miles and 15 months later - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Mark - July 13 - 5:32 pm

  My Accord is a terrific city car and once I figured out that I had to adjust my seat to be more straight backed than I had been used to, the seat became more comfortable for longer drives. The car remains solid, I have not yet had the rear brake problems others have noted and my overall gas mileage is around 25 MPG, not bad. This car handles beautifully for a fwd sedan, but the road noise is noticeable, Honda can do better. Overall, I really like this car but the seats and the road noise keep me from completely loving it. Build quality is excellent, there are absolutely no squeaks or rattles. I can tell this car will wear well over the years.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Iceman - July 13 - 3:46 pm

  Got this at 140000 miles and currently have almost 180,000. Ive only had to replace the starter. Ive only had American made cars and have had way more problems with them. I am pleasantly surprised and this vehicles reliability.

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  2008 CRV--Love it, but a few exceptions - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By curiousg - July 13 - 3:17 pm

  I really relied on Edmunds reviews when deciding to purchase this car so I thought Id give my thoughts. Im happy I bought this..and would buy it again, but Id but the next model up for the extra cash. If you want pep, go elsewhere. I feel safe rain or snow, and I get an average of 24-25 miles/gallon. Have done 30 mpg on a pure highway trip. Love the flexibility and space. My two gripes are 1) the brakes wear really fast--too fast. After 2.5 years, I had to replace them. And thats too soon. 2) I have some odd whistling noises when the car shifts gears/gets to a certain RPM. Dealership cant figure out what the hell it is but its been there since the beginning.

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  Excellent car-disappointing MPG - 2010 Honda Civic
  By Stuart - July 13 - 1:27 pm

  Very attractive, well designed car. Love the blue color and all of the added features found on ex.

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  s2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By BYRDMAN - July 13 - 12:04 pm

  Amazing vehicle, I drive it daily and I dont believe there is a more fun to drive vehicle that is this dependable. I have taken to drag strip, ran great times, had around BMS a few laps and no issues. Do the maintenance and drive it. I do not have one complaint.

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  Great Car - Best Daily Driver - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Some_Guy - July 13 - 11:39 am

  58,000 miles on the car, and no problems. None! Change the oil, and Im averaging 39-40 mpg most of the time. Slight drop in mpg in the winter 36-37 at times in extreme cold. (NY winter) have seen as high as 44 mpg in summer on long trips. Not the hottest car on the road, and it wont win any races. But for an economical to own reliable car. It cant be beat.

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  Pulls to the right! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By kellit - July 13 - 10:10 am

  My mothers 2010 4wd pilot is great except it pulls to the right! Its been taken to the dealer 5 times and theyve said theres nothing wrong with it, they all do that, they were made to do that, its the crown in the road, it falls within specs so theres nothing they can do blah blah blah! Why on Earth do you want your car to pull either way? How will she know when its pulling due to there being something wrong? Sure the pilot looks great but how is it safe for your car to pull to the right? The dealership has yet to do anything to help my mother and now they are not returning her calls.

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  Honda CR-V Air Conditioner Issue Cover Up - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Mac PSP - July 12 - 11:56 pm

  Purchased my Honda CR-V new, it now has just over 70,000 miles, last week the air conditioning system failed and wiped out the entire system. The dealer wanted $2000 to replace the system. I refused and checked out the issue on line. As it turns out there are multiple year air conditioning failures on the CR-V. Hondas USA Corporate office is refusing to acknowledge to there is an issue. I am contacting the California State Attorney General and an attorney. Hondas Corporate Customer Service Rep would not let me make a point on the phone and told me, "I might want to be quiet before I stuck my foot in my mouth!" This is typical of how Honda has handled this problem. Stay tuned!

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  Plus and Minus - 2009 Honda Accord
  By delphi - July 12 - 9:31 pm

  I have owned this car for 2 years. The positive is that it handles well on all road surfaces including ice/snow. Mileage is almost the same on the highway as my 2003 Cadillac SLS at slightly over 26 mpg. The seats are terrible. After 3 hours, my legs and back ache. I can put up with the user unfriendly center panel controls but am ready to sell due to the seats. I test drove the Accord for 2 hours prior to purchase. Wish I had driven it another hour. The A/C is barely able to keep up with 90 degree outside temps.

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  1st Honda - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By KY - July 12 - 8:38 pm

  We have had this vehicle about 2 months now and we are very pleased overall. Interior is roomy and seats are very comfortable. Third row seat stows easily and back adjusts for comfort. Getting avg 20 mpg. We narrowed our choice down to the Odyssey and the 2011 Sienna. The Siennas interior looked cheap and the Odysseys seats were more comfortable. Ultimately, the Odysseys seats and seating configuration won.