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:

• 

  Very pleased thus far - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By brenda - May 24 - 8:09 pm

  Up to today, I can say Im quite pleased and happy with my CR-V. Its just right for me and my family. I enjoy its peppiness and comfort. And its fun to drive! We just took it on a 5 hr road trip with no complaints. I also love the glacier blue color. Very pleased with this purchase. I hope I continue to enjoy it.

• 

  Less than I expected - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Paul - May 24 - 5:04 pm

  This van is very quiet on the road, handles well with a full load of passengers, love the leather, the sun roof, and the auto HVAC, which can be adjusted separately for the driver, passenger, and rear.

• 

  Honda Odyssey 2010 poor perorming vehicle - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By mitchlu - May 24 - 1:19 pm

  With all the talk about Honda quality, I was negatively surprised with this NEW Honda Odyssey 2010. Although ride is not bad, I would still say that judging by Honda’s past reputation, this minivan scores average or below. The overall feel of a quality build car, is not present here. Main disappointment is the extremely low fuel economy. While Honda states avg about 20 MPG (17/24) is simply not realistic. I am hardly getting 11 MPG! I have had several older vehicles and none of them provided such low MPG. Some other minor issue which all add up to regretting of buying this: I would recommend: I fuel economy is important to you, do some research on other minivans before getting an odyssey

• 

  Love it so far! - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By rkhamilton920 - May 24 - 1:11 pm

  Picked it up over the weekend. Great driving position - really wide and roomy. Didnt note a problem with sunroof. All around my wife and I are pleased. Mileage is not going to be great - but I knew that going in to the purchase. Going to take awhile to fully learn about functions and features for the Electronics/Navigation Systems.

• 

  Overall nice car - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By yhk - May 23 - 10:31 pm

  Bought our first minivan 3 months ago with 3000 mi driven. Getting 18-22mpg so far on freeway/city driving. So far no major problems except a few body panels being loose at the edges. Taking it to dealer to get it fixed. Hard to modulate brakes smoothly. Noticed you have to press pretty far down in order to stop if you are going at a decent speed (30-40 mph), but I think its just a matter of getting used to the weight of the vehicle. Overall, nice size vehicle if you want to haul people and things.

• 

  Honda 2002 Accord V6 - never again - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Ray94903 - May 23 - 5:18 pm

  Accord 2002 V6 is apparently a lemon with regard to transmissions - 385 reported failures around the 110,000/120,000 mile mark. No recall because its not a safety issue, and no class action (YET!) Timing chain went at 100,000 - $1,500 - also a "known issue". Paint is starting to fail - also a known issue. How many known issues with this vehicle do I have to know about? Im looking at $4,000 for a new transmission. Weve been a 2-Honda family for the last 15 years. We will not even be a 1-Honda family ever again.

• 

  Its a HONDA - 2003 Honda Accord
  By claudiawb1 - May 23 - 4:26 pm

  I love my Honda. As I told my granddaughter before I let her drive it, wehen you step on the gas it goes and when you step on the brake it stops. It is a neat car. Great styling. Seven years old and I still love it.

• 

  1999 Honda civic ex couple in silver - 1999 Honda Civic
  By David - May 22 - 11:12 pm

  I have been driving this car for 6 months now, and I love it. I bought it with 81,000 miles on it and have not had a single problem with it. If you take care of it and do all the regular maintenance this car will run like a top. In cold weather the gas mileage will be in the mid to high 20s in the city and low 30s highway. Summertime the gas mileage has been better Im in low 30s all the time and almost got to 36 on the last tank which was mostly city driving, I throw it in neutral and coast down hills when I can that makes the mpg go up. This car has power if you want to use it you have to shift over 5500 rpm for the V-TEC to kick in and then its fast.

• 

  Great but could be better - 2009 Honda Civic
  By automax - May 22 - 10:34 pm

  I drive about 33,000 miles per year, mostly highway. This is one of a very few cars that can do commuting and playing at the same time and do them well. For commuting, its comfortable, reliable and economical(I average 31 MPG, 2 MPG better then EPA estimates). When you want to play, just rev the crap out of it and it rewards you, handling is solid, power is great (above 6000 RPM), and engine notes are extraordinary. All it needs is more torque, if Honda put in the Japan only "R" engine, this thing would be nirvana on wheels. If you do a lot of commuting, yet enjoy a spirited drive, this is one of the best buys out there.

• 

  MY CR-V 2010 - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By Bebotski - May 22 - 7:56 pm

  The only drawback I see in my CR-V is that whenever I hit a gap or mid size hole in the pavemen (road) the front suspension makes a load metal noise it seems like the suspension in the front is not quite silent compared at the rear. thats the only thing I notice rather than that it is an excellent car.