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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  Nobody beats Honda! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Bailey Jane - February 25 - 12:43 pm

  I purchased my Honda in late 2005 when this new body style had just came out. I absolutely love my car. I have three kids and while we are outgrowing the car, I am purchasing an Odyssey and my husband will take this one over. We also had a Honda Accord lease that we are turning in this week. We love Hondas and that is all we have owned in the last 10 years. I have had no problems with my civic, I have almost 70K miles on it now and I have replaced the tires since I drive so much. But it is fun to drive, it is a beautiful car and the gas mileage is awesome as we all know. I would not ever hesitate to purchase a Honda! Plus I have 3 uncles that are certified Honda mechanics so thats a bonus!

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  2009 pilot - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By cas - February 25 - 10:58 am

  Love this car/truck.It is very comfortable, easy to handle and very responsive. Have been averaging 20.5 for every day driving (even mix of highway and local).Road noise is no different than other cars Ive owned including a Lexus.

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  good little car - 1998 Honda Civic
  By tlt858 - February 24 - 9:46 pm

  Good little car. Ive been driving this car for more than 5 years, and have had very little go wrong with it. Great gas mileage, good pep, really comfortable. My car has over 200K miles on it, and it is still going strong.

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  great value - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By petras - February 24 - 4:44 pm

  base lx well equipped, comfortable ride, good handling, great for road trips, lots of storage space, strong and reasonably fuel efficient engine, no reliability issues yet... unless you need a rwd suv for towing, this is definitely a better "bang for the buck"

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  Last 2009 Honda Coupe out there - 2009 Honda Accord
  By al - February 24 - 4:36 pm

  Got the last 2009 Honda EX-L 4cyl Coupe available, but discount was a little over 5700 so could either have high mileage 2010 with much small discount or very low 2009 and 09 made sense to me. Love this car, traded in 2008 EX-L 4dr and this car is very different in a very good way for me. I like handling, styling and gas mileage with another 4 cyl. Performance is fine if I had the 6cyl my mileage would be terrible-too-tempting. Getting 25 with 60/40city driving with very few miles on car. Have gotten used to just putting stuff in trunk since have only two doors to open now.

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  Not an Accord - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By DrivesWell - February 24 - 1:47 pm

  After having a troublefree Honda 1990 Accord for 240,000 miles, my expectations were high for the Odyssey. I was initially worried about 2 things: Honda bragged that the Odyssey was built on an Accord chassis (but weighs half-again as much!), and the automatic side doors (always takes a few years for any new mechanical device to get the bugs out). Sure enough: balky sliding doors that frequently freeze shut in wet, freezing weather. Several $1000+ repairs: shocks, fuel system, and now at 132,000 miles,transmission. Presumably because they have so many going out, they recently bumped the transmission remanufactured price by about $1000 (making money off their poor workmanship?).

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  Disappointed by Mileage - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By SteveinPA - February 24 - 11:32 am

  Bought new EX-L 4wd 2 mos ago. Was a compromise-- basically bought it because it was a foot shorter than other 7-8 seaters (Traverse, CX-9) so much better fit in garage. And I have had good experience with Hondas. I had a CRV previously and got the epa highway milage in my mixed driving, so I was hoping for the same with the pilot. Unfortunately I have been averaging 17 mpg, less than the 18 epa figure for mixed driving. This is the same engine they have in the v-6 accord, so they know how to tune it for better mileage, unfortunately it seems the engine is too small for such a large vehicle and must be tuned to suck gas to make the vehicle go. Acceleration is slow in any event.

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  Nice and comfy minivan! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Ced - February 23 - 9:04 pm

  1st Honda automobile ever!,traded in my 03 Toyota Sienna CE for a 2007 Odyssey EX-Leather with DVD and were really satisfied with it.I was just thinking of buying the one with leather seats without dvd and Im glad I listened to my wife to get the one with rear entertainment.I have two boys that always asked, "ARE WE THERE YET?,so now wherever we go ,we just play cartoon movies and theyre just quiet back there.If you have kids,get the one with dvd,it really help.I heard lot of comments about road noise on this van and you know what,I dont know a car out there that you cant hear any road noise,come on! youre on the road,If you dont want to hear any road noise, then dont drive it.

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  Bought when first released - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By MAD - February 23 - 6:13 pm

  I got my Ridgeline in April of 05 when they were first released. I was driving an 04 Acura TSX and loved it, but needed more utility, and certainly got it! Love the "regular" opening rear doors, split folding rear seats, trunk, bed extender, bed lights, multi- opening tailgate, power, 4wd. Much more useful truck than my 01 Silverado with the "suicide" rear half doors and non-split folding rear seat somewhat better gas mileage. I stopped commuting a couple of years ago so havent racked up the miles like I used to, but no issues other than the [common] one below. A great car/truck/suv all rolled into one!

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  clean - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By s barot - February 23 - 4:15 pm

  I enjoyed this car very much, it has been very useful through all weather conditions and it has been a very comfortable vehicle to drive. Due to personal reasons I no longer can need ownership of this car.