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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  Another Great Honda! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By mjc - March 27 - 8:04 pm

  This is our 4th Honda and it was an easy choice to make. Very happy with how quiet the ride is and how comfortable the seating is. We love the style of body design.It was the reason that got us in to take a test drive. Very impressed with the way the Pilot handles road. We travel a bit with our 2 dogs and find the back (with 3rd row down)to have plenty of room for them.

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  Built for Colorado - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Rockies - March 27 - 6:45 pm

  Can you say altitude, sun, rain, snow and more sun! This basically describes one spring day in CO. The Pilot masterfully handles all of these elements and delivers a consistent high quality performance. We bought our first Pilot in 2004 - an LX. We put Michelin LX M/S tires on and enjoyed the ride of our lives. During back road driving in the Christmas blizzard of 2009 in Texas, the Pilot delivered everything our family needed. We locked in the four-wheel drive and toured some snowy farm roads on the way to the hotel- picking up a family of four stuck in their two-wheel drive. We bought a 2006 EXL -more Michelin tires and the freak blizzard in Denver last Tuesday was cake. Love this SUV!

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  Odyssey - 5 years later - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Kim Virtanen - March 27 - 4:22 pm

  With 142,000 miles on our 05 Odyssey, theres still quite a miles on the original brake pads and the original plugs are still firing fine, but our second set of tires are just about done. Weve also had to have the fluids and filters replaced quite a few times. Otherwise it fires up immediately, in hot or cold, wet or dry and takes us in comfort to wherever we wish to roam. Were glad we decided against the Touring model with its PAX run flat tires, but wish there was room for a full size spare. The only other nit to pick is the attachment of the plastic pieces around and under the front end. With mostly highway driving we average around 25 mpg - not bad for an 8 passenger vehicle!

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  Touring Model makes the difference! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Ron - March 27 - 1:38 pm

  Just bought the car 2 days ago, so far so good! I love the features on Touring model like the trip computer, NAVI hands free caller ID, easy to to use compare to my Nissan hands free. When my kids are watching the DVD is not comfortable, they watch it sideways, need to fix that they ended up sitting on the 3rd row. Set up my iphone in less than a minute as well as my garage! I will drive to Orlando and i will write back after the trip!

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  Love Car, Hate Transmission - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Matt - March 27 - 12:26 pm

  We purchased this car second hand from a local Honda dealer, and until recently I considered it the best car I have ever owned. This was my first Honda and I was so impressed with it that when the time came to replace my commuter car I purchased a new Civic. This was until the tranny started to act strange. Soon after the dash warning lights come on. A trip to the local mechanic confirmed that the transmission is throwing three separate failure codes and will need to be rebuilt or replaced. Internet search has shown me that these failures are commonplace and that I got more life than most out my transmission. I expected more from Honda.

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  2010 Honda Pilot - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Pilot/Hawaii - March 27 - 12:04 pm

  The 2010 Honda Pilot is a very reliable vehicle to own. It has great handling and it feels very solid on low traction road surfaces with 4WD. The 2010 Honda Pilot has good looks and has an incredibly comfortable and spacious interior. It is a large vehicle, which is safer in accidents than a smaller vehicle.I love everything about this vehicle except its V6 engine. It takes longer to "pick up" speed than V8 engined vehicles. *If only Honda could make the pilot with a V8 engine, it would be a fabulous vehicle.* To be honest, the Honda pilots V6 engine is quite lousy compared to other V8 engined

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  Quality as a luxury car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By sergio - March 27 - 1:36 am

  Driving my Accord v6 for almost two years I can tell you what powerful and very comfortable is this car. I really like the interior, looks like a luxury car to me.

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  D17a1 - 2002 Honda Civic
  By ivan c - March 26 - 11:29 pm

  Well this is my first car, and all I have to to say is that its great. I have only but 10,000 miles on it, and in total it has 49,000 miles on it. The only thing I wish would be better is its speakers. The stock ones are truly horrible. Over all it is a good car just boring and not great looking.

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  Good Car - 2008 Honda Civic
  By SMART GUY - March 26 - 8:12 pm

  I bought my 2008 LX new in Aug 07. has 45,000 miles on it and all Ive done is oil changes, 2 air filters, and 1 trans fluid change. Tires will probably need to be replaced at 50k for the first time. Ive absolutely no problems with the car at all! Only knocks is the speakers rattle the door panels easily even when volume is fairly low and I cant believe this little car cost over 17k new. This car should be no more than 15k. Other than that minor issue I have nothing but praise for this car. My overall MPG for combined city/highway driving is 34 MPG. I do have the manual trans.

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  A gentlemans truck - 2010 Honda Ridgeline
  By victor brunst - March 26 - 7:17 pm

  My Ridgeline is great - it is comfortable, has enough power, great handling and very practical. I especially like the rear window opening feature which allows cross ventilation. Dual climate controls and heated front seats are a luxury found in more expensive cars. Fit and finish are perfect, everything works. it is SO QUIET! I was very positively impressed with the Michelin tires which handle very well. Do NOT find any problems with braking or stopping distances as mentioned by Edmunds. One problem I have is wind noise on the drivers side coming from the mirror. It starts at about 60 miles but disappears when the mirror is folded. Am taking it to the dealer next - hopefully they can fix it.