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:

• 

  Say it isnt so - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By corey - June 22 - 1:50 pm

  I have owned several Hondas. I am most worried about this vehicle.We love the comfort of the van, but have not enjoyed taking it for service appointments. If you have not had them put a new torque converter in, demand they do so. The new software package does not do the trick. I can tell you that we will not be keeping this van past the 60,000 mile mark. It will be one that will run out of warranty and blow up on your trip to Disney World. Run from this model. Hope they will solve the problems in future models. I was hoping to have the same experience that my friends have had with their vans. All of them have 200,000+ on theirs and are still running them. Save and buy an earlier model

• 

  best Honda yet - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Ralph - June 22 - 1:28 pm

  Car handles very well with solid construction. Have had 2 other Accords but this is the best yet.

• 

  Rear Axle Defect? - 2008 Honda Civic
  By circ99 - June 22 - 12:40 pm

  Bought 2008 Civic new. Rear tires have a camber alignment issue. Dealers have said designed that was. Burns up tires unless you rotate at every service. Just filed safety complaint with ntsb. Bought car for daughter, who knows nothing about tires. Unsafe. I dont need tires blowing out. Honda USA ignored my request, but I did find a dealer who will fix it for a price $$. Wow. Purchased Honda care warranty. They dont want to touch this issue either. Beware beware if you are going to buy, check out the rear wheels !

• 

  Look on the road, these cars last - 1992 Honda Civic
  By jonas - June 21 - 11:08 pm

  Ive been tempted to see the car, trade it in for anything because the car lasts so long. I am the original owner when it first came out it was the first rounded edge small luxury car. Sure somethings needed replacement: 2 radiators, 1 set cv boots 3 alternators, 2 ignition coils. Every thing else I could replace myself. I solved the problem of wind noise 14 years later with a rubber band stuffed in the door rubber grommets to press it against the window better and to place some noise insulation underneath the floor and inside the front doors. Get a k & n air filter and pickup from stop is good enough. On the freeway, given the light weight, at high speed it can match any car from 70+

• 

  First car. Best car. - 1991 Honda Accord
  By 91 accord - June 21 - 7:49 pm

  So my 1991 Honda Accord Lx sedan is by far the best car i have driven.Bought it from some family friends with 42k on it. Its a 5 speed (which is very nice) and has power everything, which for a 91 is bulletproof. Its a great car through and through, I drive it probably harder than a should but besides the fact its pretty heavy and FWD its a blast to drive.The 2.2 liter gets up and goes even with passengers. I find this car very comfortable and Im 63" and weigh 200 lbs. All the systems work great, the AC, the power steering, the cruise control. I think ill eventually move on to an s2000 but this car is absolutely the best car for the money. Driving it hard has not given me any issues. Love it.

• 

  Honda Accord sedan - 2008 Honda Accord
  By NATRAY - June 21 - 5:25 pm

  Body design and performance great, but inside terrible. Noise, noise, noise and I drive the top model exl6. The radio is hard to listen with all the noise. I have had 8 hondas and this will probably be my last. The dash cannot be read in sunlight or cloudy days. [ the 2004 model dash was great ]. It seems they backtracked. The visors are skimpy compared to 2004. I have owned 8 accords since 1979 and this was the most disappointing one. My wife owned four. Any friends that ride in my car, hear the noise and they state. Not for them

• 

  Bang for the Buck v2.0 - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By rockwea - June 21 - 3:52 pm

  Great driving vehicle, good 4WD performance, and great features. Seating very good, massive car audio(so many features), and good MPG for a 4WD suv are among some of the top features. Engine performance is good - Im willing to take the hit on performance for MPG (especially today with $$ for fuel). Would recommend a Pilot and/or purchase another if I need to buy another vehicle. Purchased 2010 4WD EX-L w/RES in late May 2010 for $31,600 plus TTL (new 2011 pilot models were available, no diff in 2010 vs. 2011, that I found).

• 

  Absolutel "bulletproof" - 1993 Honda Accord
  By Richy from Nisky - June 21 - 3:50 pm

  I purchased my 1993 Accord LX wagon used in 1996 with 40,000 miles on the odometer. Now, 14 years later it is still running strong with 321,000 miles on it. Other than the usual rust over the rear wheel wells, my only other problem has been a leaking rear main seal, which leaks about a quart every 2500 miles. I run four snow tires on it during the winter and it has never gotten stuck. Alas, when I found out that Honda was not re-introducing the Accord wagon (they gave us the Crosstour instead), I opted to buy a CR- V as a replacement vehicle. This wagon has been absolutely bulletproof, and I hate to get rid of it. Best car I have ever owned.

• 

  Oh! The new car smell! - 2010 Honda Civic
  By MG - June 21 - 1:21 pm

  Had the car for a few days now and I must say I love this thing. Got the basic LX with nothing added in. Got a great price. I love the way the instrument gauges are laid out. The A/C is cold enough and road noise is not bad, but then again, it is a fairly light car. The acceleration is not as good as some other cars but for a 1.8 L engine, its good enough. Besides, if you want good acc in a Civic, get the Si. This definitely is a great car. With a mix of horrible city traffic and highway. I got about 31-32 MPG for my first tank.

• 

  Perfect - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Dave - June 21 - 1:13 pm

  I bought this car from first team honda because no one was buying them. I dont know why. Next door I test drove a new prius because the old ones handled oddly and they wanted over 26 thousand for one. That immediately pulled me from the prius despite their fuel-mileage. The car is fun to drive, and the fuel- mileage challenge is addicting. I am already able to achieve 42 MPG City and 52 MPG highway at 65 MPH. Sport mode with the paddle shifters works very well too. Keep the RPM low and the pedal hard and the motor will help out BIG TIME.