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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  Honda 2007 CR-V EX 4 door SUV - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By anna - March 7 - 5:55 pm

  I bought my 2007 CR-V in 2007 after doing my research on small SUVs and I found this one was so much better than all of the others out there. The mileage was not what they said it would be and the road noise is heard even with the windows up. I have had it for 2 years and I use it for work and around town travel and at 47,000 miles I have to replace the tires already.

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  ole reliable - 1991 Honda Civic
  By ck45 - March 7 - 4:55 pm

  Well first off, I bought the car from an old man for $1500, when I was a senior in high school. I looked at and was in excellent condition inside and out, but I checked the odometer and showed 289,000. I was thinking wow this thing is gonna blow up when I drive it. Soon after talking about it I asked for a test drive and honestly it drove and handled just fine. It is a 5 speed and had a 1.5 L with a new alternator and starter.

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  We bought another one - 2010 Honda Insight
  By cgold - March 7 - 11:18 am

  We liked our insight so much that my wife bought one for herself. We both get more than the EPA mileage estimate. The car is fun and easy to drive. We can fit four adults easily and there has been no complaint of lack of headroom in the rear. We look forward to the hybrid fit as we would like to have a small SUV that gets great gas mileage.

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  Honda lack of quality now! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By andres - March 7 - 10:30 am

  Honda lack of quality now, is is not what all people think. I just get rid of a 2007 civic. In the 3 years I had it for, I had to take it to the dealer to replace the Torque converter on the transmission, the stereo system replaced since it stopped working, the steering wheel replaced since it started to peel off, the battery wasnt charging as it should be. Lot of vibration on the engine while idling, and let me tell you that the MPG is not what you think, only 24 mpg on the city at most and 29 at highway. The dealer keep telling me there was nothing wrong with the car until I took it time after time to them to fix it. in addition paint gets chips and scratched easily, gets dented easyly.

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  Wish I still had it! - 2003 Honda Element
  By hnewton - March 7 - 9:32 am

  I put probably 32,000 miles on my Honda in two years. I never had any problems with it. It did make a weird noise when I turned really sharp, it was not a big deal. I bought the car with about 95,000 mile on it and it did that when I bought it. The dealership said it was because of the AWD. I drove a different one a year later and it did not do that. Besides oil changes, I only spent 350.00 on it the entire time I owned it. That was for breaks and its 100,000 mile maintenance. I thought it would need a new belt, but it has a timing chain that last 300,000 miles! We really used this car for what it can be used for. Camping, hauling, animals, etc. The seats are very durable! Seats four.

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  Love it! Love it! - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By CRV4-4OFUS - March 6 - 10:09 pm

  My wife and I were looking for a second car and wanted a small SUV with AWD or 4WD. We saw one for sale two weeks ago wit 176,500 miles and hesitated for a day. We went to look at it again and bought it for $3500. The interior looks like no one drove it or ever sat inside- its brand new looking. The exterior was rusty w/stock steel wheels and very worn out tires, a few dings here and there but nothing too serious. After driving the car from the lot we drove straight to the Honda mechanic and changed the belt & adjusted the valves and brakes. The SUV is in great shape mechanically and the interior is in excellent shape. The price for service $650, tires with 16" Honda rims $660.

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  Great SUV but ... - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Wren - March 6 - 5:22 pm

  I purchased this 2007 pilot used with 36,000 miles on it. Great vehicle so far. Handles well on the road and drives smoothly. The only downfall is the gas mileage. I travel 60 miles round trip and about 30 miles are rural roads. My gas mileage is about 16 miles per gallon. Keeping in mind the tank holds 20 gallons. Not very good gas mileage from this vehicle.

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  Worst Car Ive ever owned! - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Jay424 - March 6 - 3:58 pm

  Im tired of people saying that Hondas are good because theyre not. Ive had my accord for 7 years and have had 3 transmissions, rear brake caliber snap and leak fluid, 3 power windows went out at once. Also have power seats that move when the car comes to a stop. The first month and a half after I had the car, it spent 5 weeks in the dealership to fix the seats that move. The dealer originally gave me back the car, but destroyed the interior of the car. Ive also had a TCS module replaced and my car also has rust on the hood. Hondas build garbage automobiles. I would never buy another Japanese car again. What a waste of $30k. Im going to buy a 2011 Mustang, with good FORD quality.

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  Love it! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Bob - March 6 - 12:11 pm

  Mileage is a little weak but overall car is great, comfort, handles well, drives nice. I love mine!

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  High maintenance after 75000 miles - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By T Anderson - March 6 - 9:19 am

  Very noisy - hard to hear radio on most roads in the Northwest. Very high maintenance after 75000 miles. Examples: Drivers side door lock malfunction. 2. Left passenger door lock actuator malfunction.3. Cruise control computer system malfunction. 4. Air bag indicator malfunction. 4. Timing belt side mount replacement. Items 1-4 cost $1200 in repairs! Honda dealer had a very hard time diagnosing cruise control problem. i.e., many false fixes.