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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  Almost 160K miles and still going - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Dee - March 28 - 12:24 am

  *Jan 2018 Update: still going strong...nearly 160K miles and still love this SUV. Minor issues such as a few burned out interior button lights. My 15yo daughter starts driving this summer and wants this one but not sure I want to give it up! Bought my SE Pilot in December 2007 with 4 miles on the odometer...and have about 145K miles now. Yes Im on my 4th set of tires in that time...but its a heavy truck and I also like having some chunkier tires for the snow and ice in Maryland so those dont have great longetivity. My husband complains about the body roll but I drive this SUV daily and love it. Weve done long trips and been comfortable overall, and I can certainly pack plenty of stuff in it, including the dog, when necessary. Weve had lots of preventative and routine maintenance done on it to keep it going. A few minor electrical issues, including one time when the rear A/C stopped working, but my husband looked it up and bought a $300 part from the deal to fix it himself. Some of the interior panel lights are out now, so at night I cant see all of the buttons (such as for the A/C or vent controls) but I havent bothered replacing those, and my front map lights stopped coming on when the doors opened. I know what it will take to replace that...but not sure I want the challenge of it quite yet. Also the very back bass speaker has always been just horrible, but when I read what it would take to replace that...again not sure its that big of a deal to me. We replaced the brakes a few years ago with some high quality after market ones that have been better than the original brakes. Overall I love driving this truck, its done great for me in snow and rain, and Im in no hurry to part with it as long as it keeps driving as well as it does. It has some great acceleration when needed. Ive started seeing a check engine light recently, on and off intermittently had the code read at a local auto store for free and it sounds like possibly the catalytic convertor isnt operating as efficiently as it should but since this only happens about once a month (maybe) and doesnt constantly happen Im just planning on dealing with it for now.

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  The Chevy Vega of the New Millenium - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Michael - March 27 - 2:00 pm

  At a little over 18,000 miles this piece of junk needed its transmission and fuel injectors replaced. Now a few days and a few hundred miles after getting it back from the dealer, it appears to need yet another transmission as well as rear brake work (it was fine when it went in). This vehicle was delivered with some type of adhesive spots all over it, presumably from the delivery plastic. We had a roof rack installed at the dealer. This rack does not appear to fit properly, so I fear it is lacking in structural integrity, so we do not use it. The vehicle rattles and shakes at every opportunity. So much for reading Consumer Reports and following their "Best Buy" recommendation.

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  Tranny Problems? - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Jules197722 - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Had noise in front Right tire, dealer took apart and rebuilt, now its fine. Heat is TERRIBLE! never seems to get hot, brought it to dealer twice, said there is no problem??? Front struts were leaking and motor mount bracket was cracked...dealer fixed. Also car would slip out of 2nd gear frequently, dealer rebuilt tranny and fixed problem. Car would grind while shifting down to 2nd gear, dealer replaced synchros and all is fine now except my heat problem...Other than above I love the car, very fun to drive!

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  My Element Experirence - 2004 Honda Element
  By Francis - March 24 - 10:02 pm

  I wanted to buy a versatile vehicle like the CRV but instead drove out of the dealership with an Element.This is a very poorly thought out vehicle. Example, when you fold up the rear seats to make more room it actually blocks your side window access when you are backing up.This vehicle weighs almost 3,500 lbs and the standard "Accord" powerplant strains to pull it around. My AWD gas mileage city/hwy average 21-22 per gallon.The weight distribution of the "AWD" v.s. the "2 wheel" drive is noticeably different and the vehicles drive differently( I have driven both versions).

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  Accord Hybrid Powerfull And Economical - 2006 Honda Accord
  By rpatch000 - March 24 - 12:46 pm

  This car has a 255 HP, handles like a Acura TL, more room than the Acura and Im getting 9 miles to the gallon more than the Acura. The Accord Hybrid out the door price was $5000 less than the Acura.

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  Love it - 2005 Honda Element
  By bronco - March 24 - 4:56 am

  We got the magnesium loaded EX AWD with fog lights because having those bulbous orbits empty seems silly. The rear is great for moving baby in and out in the car seat and being able to move to the back to calm baby without having to get out like when we had a Civic. We love the interior -everyone we know think its awesome even those who think it looks ugly are sold when the check out the inside.

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  Almost Fun to Drive - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Almost perfect - March 23 - 4:13 pm

  Having put on 178,000 miles on my 02 exl v6 accord, thought it was time to retire old Betsy, and break down to buy another. Purchased the EXL, 4cyl from a Honda dealership on Marysville OH, about 1 mile from the plant. Been reading the reviews and taken several test drives, so I knew exactly what I wanted. The 6 cyl was most attractive, but the 4 (190 hp) has enough. In fact about the same as my 02 v6. Overall, great car, a few bugs, but for the price, about as close as you can get. Smooth, quick, nimble, and quiet. Road noise is minimal, but these are Hondas, not Toyotas. Steering is excellent, and so far, on the 2nd tank of gas, I have about 315 miles, and the needle is just a under half

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  So far - so good. - 2005 Honda Element
  By Glen - March 23 - 3:33 pm

  No problems and seems to have plenty of power compared to the Toyota 4 Runner I traded in, plus it gets better mileage. It would be nice if it would get 30 MPG but it wont. Rear sunroof is a waste.

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  Yes its worth it! - 2006 Honda Insight
  By Lance Johnson - March 22 - 10:53 pm

  I have owned this little car for several months now. It has plenty of pep and zips right along. It is fun to drive and it gets incredible gas mileage. 47 in town and 60 frwy. I fill the tank about once every 3 weeks after driving it all over, and when I pull out of the gas station after filling up for 25 bucks and the guy next to me is still filling his suv after 60, somehow I feel as if I have out smarted some folks. I also feel good that I am driving a vehicle that is considered 0 emisions! I am concerned about the planet! Its not all about the money reviewers, its about being conscience, not wastefull! The only complaint that I have about this car is the lack of side door pockets.

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  Good Car - 1998 Honda Accord
  By HondaCoupe - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Good Car, Great Style, Very Reliable