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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  Great - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By dj speed - February 2 - 9:23 pm

  This model is greatly improved. Its bigger than my previous 05 model. Lots of extra features like tri-zone climate, backup camera, stability control, etc. The DVD screen is a little small but it sounds great. The ride is just a tad stiffer but it handles much better. The power feels about the same. I dont agree with Edmunds performance review. How did they get an almost 10 second 0-60mph time? Did they test it going up a hill? The car gained less than a hundred lbs. and also has a little more power. Two seconds slower to 60mph...I dont think so. Test drove a Mazda CX-9. Did not like it at all. The Pilot is way smoother,quieter and more refined.

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  Best in its Class - 2010 Honda Civic
  By EJMG - February 2 - 5:43 pm

  Ive had my Honda Civic for a little over 6 months now. I LOVE IT!!!. In my opinion is the very best in its class. Performance, power, handling is great. My favorite feature FUEL EFFICIENT. In the City I get an average of 32 -34 Miles for Gallon. In the Highway for Long Trips, you can get 37-40 Miles per gallons of course the depending on the speed, and terrain you encounter, But if you drive this car at 65 MPH, you can easily get 40 Miles per gallon.

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  Transmission slippage - 2009 Honda Accord
  By NJDOC373 - February 2 - 2:17 pm

  Over all I am happy to have bought my Accord Coupe V6. Its a fun car, handles good, lots of power. Recently though, Ive been aggravated by the transmission slipping in and out of gear when when Im trying to maintain a constant speed on the highway. I can actually see the tach. spike 200-400 rpms and then fall back into gear, with an accompanying pulse of acceleration. Its very annoying. The dealership seems to be avoiding the possibility that this problem exists and recently I spoke with the owner of the carwash I use and his accord and four other owners hes spoken to have had similar transmission problems - some worse than mine. I fear an ugly battle with Honda in my future.

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  Good Daily Commuter - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Driver-C - February 2 - 12:15 pm

  Had the car for 4 years now. Very reliable, great mileage. It has a few creaks & rattles, but this is not a top-of-the-line luxury car, just good solid transportation.

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  Most reliable cars on the road - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Indianapolis - February 2 - 7:12 am

  I bought this for my wife, it has done everything I knew it would as I have owned Honda products in the past. 2-WD is more than adequate in the snow absolutely no problems on ice/snow. Nothing breaks, everything works. Will last 20 years. Honda is quality.

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  My Baby - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By StClingin - February 2 - 1:30 am

  I own the tiptronic model, standard 2.2L, no fancy wancy vtec. Overall the Prelude is a beautiful car, thankfully the previous owners kept up the servicing and didnt thrash the living daylights out of it. My model is completely stock, straight out of the box, and I am very impressed. Tiptronic is great, you have the choice of just cruising around town in auto mode, or slapping the stick over to the side and drive it like a manual, changing gears without lifting the throttle - an added bonus. Great for open road cruising (Auckland to Cape Reinga and back (done 950+KM in two days) Excellent car. No nonsense. Safe. Reliable. End of story. Buy it!

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  Nice but... - 2010 Honda Fit
  By trebor67 - February 1 - 11:59 pm

  I just got the Sport FIT with Auto. Great car, has ample speed and ability to pass (with use of paddle shifters). I had a Civic back in 1997 that could not pass on the highway, this is better, not great, but acceptable. Overall the FIT is fun and functional. As I have lived with it for a few weeks, starting to see things I would change. Too much black plastic which is really hard to keep clean and it just looks cheap. Dark gray mixed with the black would make a huge difference to the interior. Road noise is loud at times, and more insulation could help. The Cargo floor seems to be cardboard covered with thin carpet. Could be hard plastic instead. More lighting for dark cargo area.

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  Never agian - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Ts - February 1 - 5:17 pm

  I have had the car for 18 months, bought brand new, thought I was buying quality. WRONG. This car has design flaws. Sunvisers bust and fall on your head (replaced 4). A/C doesnt work at stop lights. Engine rattles when you start it in the morning. Car does not start on first try every time(stranded 2xs and now carry jumper cables). Honda cares about my safety so much they will not even look at anything wrong with the car. I am told "unless you can duplicate the problem there isnt one."

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  Hope I dont jinx myself! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Rick - February 1 - 3:29 pm

  Just happened to come across these reviews, thought Id toss in my .02. I have over 245,000 miles on my 2002 Accord, 4 cyl. auto, and have performed all scheduled maintenance: timing belts @ 90K, oil change every 5- 7,000 miles, trans fluid changed, the works. My first Honda, a 1990 Civic, had over 250,000 miles before I bought the Accord. I do lots of highway driving, but have no reason to stray from Hondas.

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  Electrical and mechanical Issues - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Brad Armstrong - February 1 - 8:45 am

  This car (2009 Honda Odyssey) quit on my wife in the middle of rush hour traffic. Smoke coming from under the hood and making a loud puffing sound. The dealer found that the timing belt cover had come loose and was leaking oil. The dealer fixed this issue. Now the car will only run for a few days at a time and will not start. Left the car at the dealer and they provided a rental. The dealer called to say the problem was fixed, but when I arrived to pick it up it would not start. They replaced the battery an this only lasted for for four days. They cant seem to find the problem. So far the dealer is doing all they can, but the car is now back in the shop.