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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  Like it, but Disapointed - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Robetp - March 11 - 12:06 pm

  We love the interior room and body style of our Pilot. We arnt happy with the placement and style of the controls, namely the gear shift leaver / wiper lever, igniton key placement- have to look for it, tilt wheel lever- clumsy- make it spring loaded,guage cluster visibilty- with wheel in driving position cant see spedo numbers. Creature features - no auto door lock, NO compass?? front seat bottoms are a little short for taller folks. DONT like the trans, notable downshift, sometimes stays in alower gear than should- causing higher RPM. OUR REAL disapointment is FUEL MILEAGE - 13-14 city 17-18 Hwy. even driving easy its terriable. We sold our Expedition because it got 12 & 16, consistently

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  My Honda Accord LX - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Linda L - March 11 - 8:29 am

  Our Honda Accord has been very reliable. In the 6 years we have owned it we have only had to make the required maintenance, plus tires and windshield wipers. It has 120,000 miles on it and still going strong. It still looks good too. A/C, heat and power windows are still in good shape as well. The only problem I have is that the cassette player sometimes does not play. Other times it does. We bought a Honda Civic as our second car because our Honda Accord was so reliable. Our next new car will be a Honda Accord too!

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  Awesome!!! - 2005 Honda Element
  By marty - March 10 - 6:57 pm

  Suv thats lots of fun to drive! Great in the snow, plenty of pep to get up the big hills. Good stereo, tons of room. Good heater/air conditioner. Lots of storage space.

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  15 Month Ownership - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Don W. - March 10 - 8:41 am

  I have owned the car for 15 Months know and, so far OK. I really disappointed with the paint. The car is Silver in color and the paint is fading really bad on the roof, hood and trunk lid. If Honda knows this is a problem with paint they should fix the problem to keep there reputation. The transmission is starting to acting up, along with the brakes. The ABS doesnt seem to work and the front rotors are going to be replaced next week. I change my oil every 3500 miles and started noticing a low tapping with the car is started up in the morning. It also has a stick throttle when first started up, common problem with these cars. The car is really good on gas.

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  A Little Disappointed - 2000 Honda Civic
  By jan - March 8 - 6:24 pm

  Little things on cars tend to break down when it reached 100k, this car was one of them. 106k miles and 6 years later, I had problems with the catalytic converter (I was told that this was the most common break-down for Honda cars). It cost me around $1000 to have the part, and among other things, fixed. The left speaker stopped working right after my warranty expired. The interior of the car rattled and squeeked when hitting bumps on roads. I read one of the reviews and it stated that this model was overrated, thats true. Honda doesnt make the same quality like it used to. My family bought a truck and have driven 280k miles, yet no mechanical problems only the CD player doesnt work.

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  Honda accord EX. - 2010 Honda Accord
  By swamy - March 8 - 5:10 am

  Love the car, and color (basque red) and beige interior. Love the wood panels, controls, and interior space. Coming from fully loaded Nissan Maxima, miss some features, but no big deal.

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  One Problem - 1998 Honda Accord
  By TomA - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought thisw car in mint condition with 28K miles. It performed we4ll and has been well cared for too, however, the transmission has been slipping and acting quirky lately and the value has not held up. I paid a fair (below market) price, put a few thousand down and bought a 100K warranty and the car has a thousand less value than whats owed on it. With the transmission acting up (I heard that this has been a problem with the Accords) I am trading in on a 2002 low-mileage Nissan Altima.

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  Still new, but so far so good - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Kenm - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned the Pilot just 2 weeks. so well see, but so far so good. Dealer, Coral Springs Honda in Fl was very good to work with. If Im allowed I will post further in a few months. The Pilot seems to have great build quality, good fit and finish. I like the interior layout very well, its sensible with lots of storage.Very quiet running, except on freeway. I havent punched it all, as manual advises not to in first 600 miles. 17.5 mpg on first two tankfulls, 50/50 mixture of city/highway w/o a/c running.

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  a little engine that can produce 240hp - 2005 Honda S2000
  By EASTCOASTWARRIOR - March 8 - 1:20 am

  a fun a to drive for a sub-33 grands, no other roadster in this class can beat the s2000 for value, reliability, performance and styling. Interior is a little cramping for a full grown adult, but if one can get acustom to it will find the car is rewarding to drive around tight corners and on open roads. The engine is noisy but not punishing, it sounds like a formula 1 sport car with full potential to beat most 4 and 6 non-turbo cylinders cars. The 6 speed manual trans. is flawless, it is very rare on a sub 33 grands. Inaddition, it handle the road very well with top up or down. Very well balance car. It can be a huge improvement with a little more investment on aftermarket tuning accessories.

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  My opinion! - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By LARRY - March 7 - 8:36 pm

  Needs a more distinct look from the CR-V.