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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  4- MY DOGS - 2006 Honda Element
  By jetfire6 - September 6 - 10:11 pm

  the best vehicle for the dog hauler. Great to clean and does not retain the pee pee smell if accidents happen

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  CRV 2005 SE - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Scott - September 5 - 9:31 pm

  Honda needs to reduce the road noise for this vehicle. Switch location is in poor placement too, for example the heated seat button is located in a location under the steering wheel where it can not be seen withpout taking your eyes off the road. Windshield angle should be looked at, have had ours replaced twice and were told its very common on these. It is a good reliable vehicle with pretty good mileage. We average 25-27 mpg. It does need a larger gas tank, 15.8 gallons doesnt cut it. On longer trips where the speed limit is 70 or 75 expect to be stopping to fill up every 4 hours.

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  2008 HONDA EX-L 4DR SEDAN W/O NAVIGATION - 2008 Honda Civic
  By TTN - September 5 - 10:40 am

  This is my first time buying a Honda Civic. I have a silver exterior with gray interior. The ride is smooth, I can not hear the engine running, roomy in front and back, love features such as MP3 player, heated seats, moonroof and seat elevation for driver side. For me being 52 and 110 pounds, this is the right size car for me. I just need to get used to the steering and controlling the vehicle. the only problem I have with this car for now, when I have my sunroof open in the highway, the car seem to swerve a bit so I have to close my sunroof a little bit. It seems to swerve once in awhile. What it needs it VSA!

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  Reliable Honda - not the best design - 1992 Honda Civic
  By Brock Angelo - September 2 - 10:40 am

  What can I say? We are a Honda family. We have found them to be very reliable, and this was no exception. Over the course of two years that I drove the car (inherited it from my wife) we spent an average of $62 per month, including all oil changes and servicing. Not bad when you consider what a normal car payment would be. The reliability of the engine is great, the starter on these is bad. They will often times not start on particularly hot and humid days. But give it five minutes and it will turn right over. A problem with the main relay on the starter. Also, I never liked the side mounted door handles, and the cup holders are a false sense of security - youd be better off not using them.

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  Cheap and unreliable batteries!!! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By SouthCal - September 2 - 2:00 am

  The interior of this car is nice and roomy. But, there are a few little things that do not work right such as the glove compartment and the CD storage lid (does not close). The exterior is a little boring. The BIG PROBLEM is the cheap 3 years battery made in Mexico. I expect a battery with 5 years lifetime. My battery broke down after 5 months and was replaced by a Honda replacement battery with a 5 years warranty. But after 2 months, the new battery starts to act up again. My two previous cars are Honda and I was quite happy with them. Now, I totally lost my confidence in the Honda name.

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  Great SUV however BEWARE of FUEL COSTS - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By sahmed - September 1 - 7:26 pm

  I love my 2004 Honda Pilot EXL. I am a female driver and I feel extremely comfortable in this car. The third row is great to have and overall the car is very roomy. My son loves the DVD player and its great for adults in the back seat as well. However, fuel costs will run you $30-50 per week if you are driving around the city daily. It adds up!!! I wish there were a hybrid Honda Pilot.

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  On it goes! - 1992 Honda Civic
  By Bob - August 31 - 6:23 pm

  I bought this car for $350.00 with 191,000 miles. It has hail damage, some rust, and, as the sellers ad said, is not much to look at. BUT. It runs very well, gets amazing gas mileage (42 highway), and has been totally reliable to date. Performance- wise it is nothing to write home about- -as Rolls used to say when asked how many horsepower their cars have, they would reply "Adequate." So it is with the Civic. The interior has aged fairly well, though the body less so. And everything still works! All in all, a solid little commuter car that is as close to free to drive as you can get.

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  Ridgeline - Not perfect but close - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By dtag44 - August 31 - 1:31 pm

  I love my Ridgeline but a few things I dont like are... 1. too much plastic on the body 2. low ground clearence 3. rear suspension weak, cant load bed up due to low weight capacity, need heavy load rear spring option 4. no chrome on the exterior body 5. trailer light package doesnt generate enough amps to power trailer lights

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  The dealer can fix your doors... - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By alpha_animal - August 31 - 10:00 am

  The doors on this van are a known problem, but Honda had a fix for over a year now. If your dealer cant fix them, best find another dealer or complain to Honda. No need to suffer. Once problem with doors resolved, love this and would buy another (or maybe a Honda Pilot).

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  Good Value for the money...... - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Ken M. II - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I think this is an excellent car for the money. However, I keep having issues where I need to get the throttle body cleaned every 30,000 miles or so. If I dont do this then the car will hesitate when I press the gas (this is very aggervating). The engine is okay, but the 4 cylinder could use a little more pep.