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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  05 EX with NAV - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By THD - November 26 - 12:50 pm

  Overall this was a good purchase. Dont like that the passenger seat does not have power. Even with Premium gas we have not been able to get the stated gas mileage of 22. It really eats gas over 70 mph on the highway. :-( Also, dont quite understand why you cant get both DVD and NAV. The rear seat climate control does not adjust fan speed, only temp. Very peppy for take off. Also, first smaller suv I have not been afraid of rolling in high speed manuevers. Very much liked the safety ratings. The 05 did not come with side curtain air bags, but for $5000 more, the 06 did. The 06 also came with a variable speed motor which greatly improved its gas mileage.

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  A generation ahead of the competition - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Frank Corbin - November 25 - 12:02 am

  I researched and test drove the Tacoma, Frontier, and the Colorado. The Ridgeline was hands-down the best truck for me. I am a contractor & this is my daily driver. I carry tools in the trunk, and three or four men to job sites every morning. Theres always something in the bed. Honda could take a cue from Chevy and put a step in the rear bumper, as the bed is high to make room for the deep trunk. The truck is quick, smooth driving, quiet and comfortable. Payload is more than adequate for a midsize truck, and it tows 5000 pounds with ease.The trimline packaging limits configuration. I would like to have had the suite of safety features without some of the frills that came with higher trim levels.

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  Very Practical Vehicle - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By mark wheeler - November 23 - 4:11 pm

  The CRV has typical Honda quality and reliability without any repairs after 66,000 miles. It has good interior cargo space but not quite big enough to jam in a sheet of plywood. The handling is good for an SUV and the mileage is reasonable at 21 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. For its price its the best value in the SUV field.

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  RATTLE NOISE - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By weavie - November 23 - 2:56 pm

  I love my CR-V a lot. I feel safe in it. The only problem I have is with my back window (hatch). No matter how tight I close (or slam) it, its seems to make noise as Im driving down the road. I have to turn my radio up just to not hear it, but that doesnt get rid of the fact that its there. In looking at the design of the window, I would think there would be some rubber padding or something between the window and how it attaches. Maybe that is why its rattling. Dealer said its as tight as it will go. Also pulls to the right on acceleration like previous posts stated. Dealer said front wheel drives do that. Right wheel is the power wheel and is the reason it pulls? Still love it.

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  Honda Accord EX-L - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Steve - November 22 - 12:16 pm

  Excellent car for this class vehicle. I considered Altima and Camry and have no regrets. Roomy, handles very well, good acceleration for a 4 cylinder automatic. Not a single problem with it yet, and dont expect to have many either. While the mileage is not bad it good be better, but as the acceleration is good for a 4 cylinder its a trade-off. I am sure as gas prices go up cars will be built to get better mileage at the expense of acceleration. This wont be so bad once people trade in their SUVs and start driving less aggressively. Would recommend this car.

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  My first honda and stick. - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Ryan - November 21 - 10:23 am

  Bought the EX on the 31st of last month. I looked at everything Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, Subaru. This car had everything I wanted in a smaller car. Gas mileage is nice, performance is acceptable for what it has, braking and ride comfort is amazing for a small car. My previous car was an AT 95 Concorde, this thing quite a change of pace from that huge car. It feels very planted while driving, and this also being my first stick was fairly easy to learn on I think. I am finding excuses to drive it.

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  Why Pay Extra For A "Luxury" Brand - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Dubs - November 20 - 6:39 pm

  This may be early for a full review of my 2016 Honda Pilot Elite... it has less than 100 miles on it. I traded a 2013 Infiniti JX 35 on the Pilot and the Honda is very much the equal of the Infiniti in almost all matters. The Infiniti has a higher quality leather on the seats, in my opinion, and a little more chrome on the exterior, but the Honda is equal or better in everything else. The seats are comfortable, the drivers position good, the acceleration and ride very good, and the fit and finish excellent. There is so much storage and so many cup holders that I dont know if anyone will ever use all of them. I like the touch screen and dont know why some people complain that the radio doesnt have tactile controls/knobs. There are radio controls on the steering wheel! The Bluetooth connectivity is easily done and performs very well. The safety tech is great except for the peculiar decision by Honda to have the adaptive cruise control disengage when speeds drop to 20 mph or less. Some things I dont like. The brakes are a bit soft, the steering wheel telescopic adjustments are done only manually, the second row windows are not one touch up and down, and, as mentioned above, the adaptive cruise control disengages at around 20 mph. It seems to me that this could be dangerous if the driver isnt paying attention. In the limited driving that we have done, we are impressed with the Honda Pilot. It "feels" solid. We have not experienced the lurching that others have stated they feel from the 9 speed transmission as the car is slowing to a stop. In fact, the transmission is very smooth during acceleration and deceleration. The ingress and egress of the vehicle are both accomplished easily. All in all, we have been pleased with the initial quality of our 2016 Honda Pilot Elite and hope that it continues to perform well and the MPG improves as the car "breaks in".

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  Great Car Lousy Tires - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Rough Rider - November 19 - 7:32 pm

  I was surprised to find good power and handling with this small vehicle. I hope it will have a better resale value. My local dealer balanced the tires twice but I still find going over 60 mph is noisy and rough. Equipped with bridgestone duellers.

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  Ups and downs - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Ray D - November 19 - 10:00 am

  After long debate over the Kia Sedona and the Honda I finally went with Honda. So far, bad choice. Car pulls to the left in all conditions and while five weeks and tons of letters and phone calls yielded a Honda field technician to "make some adjustments" the car is still not right. Now getting clunks in transmission randomly at start up and Ive read about some transmission issues. I will not keep car past warranty. Wish I took a chance on the Kia. Still think the Honda is the best designed, but no longer am awed by Honda reliabilty or service repuation--at least I did not experience it!

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  My 2nd VX and better than the 1st !!! - 1992 Honda Civic
  By Ken was IL now MI - November 17 - 11:41 pm

  I owned my 1st VX for 10 years - see my 5/2002 review in this section. I was very sad when I sold it but I did because it started to rust badly in several areas. While looking at the bargain section of the car classifieds of the Detroit newspaper I found another 92 VX! for only $1500! Whats great about this one? NO SERIOUS RUST!! Three years later????? Anyway the new one (14 years young next month) is really fantastic. It has only 128,000 miles, doesnt leak/burn/use oil, the engine runs like new and the interior is in better shape than my 1st VX - seats and carpeting are mint. Still has the same advantages and disadvantages as the old one but if I could find another 92 Id buy it!!