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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  Love My 93 Prelude Si 4WS - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By 5speedguy - March 5 - 11:40 am

  Bought my red 5 speed in June 2005 with 129,000 miles on the clock. I now have 150,000 and I just love this car. I like the punch, the great corner- carving ability and the looks. Each time I walk past the car I just have to smile. I know the 4WS makes the car heavier and therefore slower than the VTEC, but the handling is so great it is worth it. I soon intend to use it as a track day car (while continuing the "daily driver" duties.)

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  Great Car - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By LJL - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Rides great, suffiect power, lots of cargo room. Handles well for minor offroad challanges

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  2003 Honda Odyssey - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By jmcclung - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Lots of road noise in van costing this much. Also, missing features that should be standard in this price range: Automatic headlights Memory seats Better radio

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  27 Month of Ownership - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Don W. - March 2 - 10:02 pm

  Since owning the car, it has been reliable But know with 110K, it is starting to nickel and dime me. Both rear wheel hub assy $200.00, starter $200.00, and ignition key assy $150.00. Transmission is starting to act up. Normal maintenance, timing belt change at a cost of $450.00. both rear rotors and brake pads $175.00. It seems at 100K plus the reliability goes away and become just another average car. looking to trade off on BMW 3series or Toyota Camry.

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  Have everything you need, missing some wants - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By K Shah - March 2 - 9:01 am

  Overall a great buy. Excellent mileage for a vehicle this size. I consistently track 23.5 mpg on city roads + interstate commute. Very roomy. Longer than regular SUVs and hence need a full garage length to park it. Great exteriors. Highway lights could be a little better in rainy conditions. The interior has everything you would want, but a few items one may want are missing. Navigation has active traffic - estimated time of arrival and best route are not always correct. I have learnt to rely on apps such as Waze if i am in a traffic situation as opposed to the navigation. Bluetooth connection is awful - I have an iPhone 6S and bluetooth connection does not always transfer to the in car system despite the display showing a successful connection. Make sure you buy a model with the honda sensing package. The leather in the elite model is much better than the touring model. Pros: Roomy, comfortable, mileage, everything i need is there. Parking, Lane keep assist and ACC are absolutely fantastic Cons: Interior finish could be more elite, bluetooth navigation could be more reliable

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  1998 Honda Prelude - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By rusty_toes - March 1 - 8:12 pm

  Purchased the car just under a month ago, and am still impressed by the overall quality of this Lude. The 5th gen is by far better looking than the 4th gen. Most the editor reviews will tell you the interior and exterior are lacking on the 5th gen. I could not disagree more! If nothing else, choose the 5th gen over the 4th because the 5th comes stock with vtec. I am not impressed by gimmicky features, and this car has none of those. It is a sports car. If you want something with plenty of room, get a 4 door accord. the Prelude I own has just over 110,000 miles on it, as far as I know it has not had any major mechanical work done.

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  Lease turn in - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Gregg - March 1 - 3:04 pm

  Almost immediately upon delivery, I noticed I would get shocked when I would put the key in the door or touch the car. It was serviced under warranty twice the shocks continued for the duration of my four year lease. I experienced no mechanical problems. But I did have to replace the original tires at 17,200 miles for wear. This was unexpected and costly! I drive less than 10,000 miles annually. My Civic was a comfortable drive even on long trips. It was roomy and had plenty of cargo space. It could have done better on gas in city driving. My only criticism, other than the tires, was that body was easily dented by shopping carts and I cracked the rear bumper on an snow bank.

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  Former Acura TSX Owner - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Dan S - February 28 - 11:43 pm

  My beloved 6-speed manual transmission TSX was over nine years old and enough little things were going wrong with it that it was time for a new car. With a house to remodel and kids in extracurricular activities I couldnt afford a luxury (or even sorta-luxury) performance sedan. So I was looking for a practical, reliable commuter car with an automatic transmission I could hand off to my daughter in 5 years when its paid off and shes 16. Being a Honda/Toyota guy this made me think about a Civic. I got the EX-L since I could at least get a nicer Civic in my price range. I was expecting a major step down from my TSX, but this Civic (which I viewed as a necessity/compromise and wasnt really excited to purchase) has slowly been impressing me. In Eco mode its the gutless wonder you expect a Civic to be but if you really stomp on the gas or take it out of Eco mode or even put it in sport mode that combination of 1.5L turbo and CVT transmission make it go right now. The 6-speed stick shift was one of my favorite things about my TSX but this Civic always seems to be in the right gear and I dont notice any clunky downshifting or lag when I press the gas. Handling is good (Honda always does that better than Toyota IMO) but then of course that makes for a rougher ride. I drove on an old patch of the 57 and got shaken and stirred. Thats when you know youre in a Civic the most. The interior is pretty nice. Im 62" and I fit OK but to get the most out of the legroom I have to crank the back of the seat all the way down because it goes down and back at the same time. So I pretty much have to fall down into the seat. In the end I think Ill miss my TSXs drivers seat the most, especially its lumbar support. Sitting so low is made up for by the excellent rear-view camera and right-mirror camera. Im using Android Auto with the Civic and the Navi is GREAT, so dont shell out extra for Hondas navi. Google Play Music found my music and playlists on my phone with no work from me but it doesnt play my podcasts. It seems like its possible, but I havent figured it out yet (I used Rocket Player and Doggcatcher before but Android Auto wont "channel" them through the car). Speaking of music, Im iffy on the stereo system. The Civic has lots of speakers and very clear sound but not much oomph on the low end. Ive turned down the treble, turned up the bass and shifted the balance rearward but its still not as good as default settings were on my TSX. Interior storage cubbies are weird but plentiful. Theres room for your cups, phone, sunglasses, gum, etc. but it may be down a cave and around a corner and a little dangerous to try to get at while you are driving. Overall I like this car. It doesnt come with a lot of bragging rights (Im a 42-year old family man, though... In my twenties I probably would have been a LOT more proud of it) but my wife really likes having a fun-to-drive car back in the family for her (she doesnt drive stick and our other car is a minivan) and the best compliment I can give this Civic is that given its relative comfort (as long as my youngest can still fit behind me) and WAY better gas mileage than the minivan, it has become the weekend family commuter car, so long as were not going to Costco or Home Depot. I wasnt expecting that to happen. I thought the Civic would be too small and too dull to want to drive any more than necessary but it has turned out to be a great not-so-little family car and its getting lots of use. Two end notes: 1. Sorry this review has no paragraph breaks, the online form is not allowing me to hit enter. 2. Gas mileage includes driving over hills to work every day.

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  Great SUV - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By TexasPilot - February 28 - 3:52 pm

  We purchased in April after owning MBZ 320, & 2- Expeditions. Evaluated Grand Cherokee, Toyotas, Accura MDX. Liked MDX but $7k more for upgraded "Pilot" was not worth it, so we got the EX-L. Mileage 22 hwy consistent at 75, great interior design, room, comfort, creature features galore-well thought out compared to MDX base model, Pilot is a great value ~ like 6 cd in dash standard. Speakers not so good with 155 w, 7 speaker system, so we did aftermarket upgrade to Eclipse~ 1000% improvment. Road noise from Goodyears cant wait to replace w/ Michelins. Overall, great value.

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  Fuel mileage overrated - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By GaryM - February 28 - 3:20 am

  I have only driven 4000KMs; like the handling and power of this vehicle but am terribly disappointed with gas mileage. If I had known it was this bad I would not have bought this vehicle. My 8 cylinder pickup was better when towing. Its not bad when driven a long distance on the highway when not towing. Honda has severely overrated the mileage of this vehicle. It is not even close to the numbers they suggest. Towing mileage is brutal, 20.1 lts/hundred over 300kms. They should have installed a bigger tank because you are constantly stopping for fuel. I find this vehicle has a lot of road noise compared to my last vehicle. Its possible its the type of tires but it should be better.