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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  Hybrid that blows away all others! - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Excellent Value - February 28 - 10:51 am

  After two years I can tell you that Honda was foolish to discontinue this model! Unfortunately they didnt promote it as a luxury upgrade to the Tiny Civic Hybrid. 260 horsepower and miserly (avg. 33-34 mpg) on Highway and city (CT.) You know its a great value when you dont sense your driving a hybrid.

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  2010 Honda Review - 2010 Honda Insight
  By David - February 27 - 10:44 pm

  Have driven 7,000 miles. Insight is well built and has the tight suspension of a sports car. Not plush but a fun car to drive. Mileage is excellent at 42-53 mpg. Impressive technology with good information display.

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  Drive one, Youll buy one. - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Clemson Fan - February 27 - 7:47 pm

  Just the right size. Bigger than our old 2000 Explorer. Rides MUCH smoother and 10 times quieter and more refined. Steers perfectly straight, has very steady wheel, so dont be put off by all that pulls right talk! 24 mpg on hwy, 18 in city, 20.5 mixed. Not bad for 4000lb SUV - it is a Honda, but not a Civic or Accord, so be realistic. Super quiet, comfortable, handles great, good power. This SUV deserves a very close look if you are in the market.

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  Fun But Wouldnt Choose it Again - 2009 Honda Fit
  By zippy - February 27 - 4:30 pm

  Bought this car in Jan 2009 as a commuter vehicle (60mi round trip to work each day on back roads). Car looks great, has tons of interior room - 4 good sized adults fit comfortable in this vehicle - and has fun, peppy handling. 34mpg on average. Some freakishly bad luck-1 huge ice chunk and 2 low-speed fender benders (1 front, 1 back at less than 13 mph) resulted in over $7000 damage each time. We kid that if you look at the Fit mean, the doors fall off. The impact energy may be dissipated, but youre left with rubble after what should be a minor incident. I wouldnt put a young driver in this car and Im selling as soon as its paid off.

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  pleased - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By pleased - February 27 - 12:15 pm

  I looked @ Saturn Outlook, NIssan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia,and Buick Enclave. I was pleased with all of them but I wanted a vehicle that had great resale value, safe,good gas mileage and is known for longevity. I did research between all of them compared features I wanted and did not. Everytime I thought I wanted another brand I was back @ the Pilot. It is very comfortable and It fitted me well. I took my Pilot to the mountains and was averaging around 30-32 miles per gallon. I truly recommend this vehicle.

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  So far so good - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Anita - February 26 - 9:56 am

  Just purchased this honda accord v6 coupe. It was a decent price and looked like it was well taken care of. Love the power and the handling. With all the snow and ice in philly right now, the traction control system is awesome and much appreciated. My only concern when I bought it was that it has 269K miles on it already. I had 2 people look at it and they couldnt find anything wrong so I bought it. It drives like its brand new. You would never guess it had that many miles on it. Time will tell how much life I can squeeze out of it.

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  DePax and its good - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Wompem - February 26 - 8:23 am

  Wife totaled our 05 Chrysler van. She wanted a van with all the bells and whistles. Found a 07 Ody Touring and got it. She loves it now, but it was a little hard riding with the PAX tires. I did internet research prior to purchase and knew about them and the cost. We purchased a depax kit (wheels/rims/sensors), bought a spare tire and the ride is much smoother. Also, had to have the torque converter replaced under the powertrain warranty. Shifts really nice now. If you are having problems with the tranny, check out the service bulletins.

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  alright suv - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Retired Air Force - February 26 - 3:00 am

  We bought the CRV to replace a Town and Country. My wife wanted something smaller to use for work. It is very noisy on the Houston roads, the car has 23,000 miles and the tires are already showing alot of wear. If you put the back windows down at highway speeds, there is a deafening noise that sounds like a jet is taking off in your back seat. The mileage is also not as good as we expected. Sitting in both front seats on long trips isnt all that enjoyable

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  Fun Car - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Jackson - February 25 - 8:52 pm

  I bought this new and really love it. Love the moon roof, the CD/radio, and the seating configuration options. As a tall guy, I fit in this thing well, even with the moon roof. Towing a U- Haul type trailer on the highway I get a respectable 19mpg at 55mph. Original tires were noisy and rough, but lasted to 50K - replaced with Michelins. Replaced rear brakes at 72K. MPG have been (very) disappointing - have always beat EPA estimates on other cars. I get almost 25 going to work 7-miles away, but highway mileage is almost 22 on the cruise control. Overall average is 23.7.

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  Pulls to the right - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Agent K - February 25 - 8:46 pm

  Well, I read the reviews and was aware of the possible "pulling to the right". The 2 Pilots I test drove did not have this problem. Unfortunately, I was not able to test drive the one we actually bought...left that to the wife who said she didnt notice it even though I said to really look for it. Well, when I finally got to drive it several days later, I notice the pulling to the right big time. How she didnt notice this is beyond me (dont get me started). I didnt notice it on higher speeds (60 and over), but noticeable at 40 and under. Brought it back to the dealer and they did an alignment and it does seem better now although higher speeds now seem a bit worse (but acceptable).