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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  From Dodge to Honda - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Erin - September 17 - 4:20 pm

  I was a little apprehensive about purchasing my first 4 door car. I love the V-6 the Honda offers...definitely worth the extra money. Smooth ride and handles great. The sunroof is awesome and the 6 disc cd player rocks. I will probably be sticking with the imports for my next purchase.

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  Since a Volvo wasnt in the budget... - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Cadia - September 14 - 3:43 am

  Bought in June, 07, and aside from thinking Im cursed for buying a new car (Ive already been dinged, rear- ended, gently fortunately, and scratched by an eager canine at the dog park), Im happy to have my first Honda after years of Volvos (finally got tired of the repairs and new ones are budget busters for me). Tried the RAV but like many people, the swing back hatch doesnt work. Its my first Honda and so far so good; decent gas mileage, comfortable for the dogs (and me), and excited about the low maintenance and high resale.

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  Be Aware Tranny Recall - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Matt - September 13 - 7:17 pm

  Had the vehicle a few months and started having tranny problems (not catching going from 2nd to 3rd gear). This model (and similar Honda vehicles) have a recall on the transmission...it has to have a kit installed or the tranny replaced. Other than that, weve been satisfied, its very peppy compared to the Windstar I used to have. The engine is much quieter too, although, on the road it doesnt seem remarkably quiet.

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  1990 Civic SI - 1990 Honda Civic
  By ereimer98 - September 12 - 9:53 pm

  Bought this unit from my Mom when I was 19 years old and drove for 8 years with few problems. Great car to get through college as it looked good for its time, could get up and go and was still cheap to run and had good fuel economy. Finally sold with 209,000 miles as it was going to need its third clutch and possibly new valve guides and still got $2300 for it and upgraded to a 1998 Prelude. These cars are very popular to tuners and fetch strong money consider new it was around $10,000 new 11 years earlier.

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  1998 Honda Prelude - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By ereimer98 - September 12 - 9:33 pm

  I bought my Prelude with 42K miles. Has been a problem free nice commuter car and has needed very little maintenance over the last 4 years that I have owned it. It still drives and looks great at 125K miles and should keep on going. It is the Honda engineering that makes these cars seem to outlast most others. Good performance while still very reliable few complaints overall while owning this car.

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  Pleasure in a Small Package - 2006 Honda Civic
  By psychprofessor - September 11 - 6:40 am

  I traded an Infiniti G35 coupe for this car, so I went from the sublime to the less-than-sublime. However, I quickly found that this little Honda is a lot of fun to drive, plus it gets great gas mileage without much effort on my part. In a mixture of town/highway driving recently, I got right at 31 mpg; in the Infiniti I would have been doing good to get 20 for the same driving. Of course, the Civic has exactly half the horsepower of the Infiniti. I actually find that the seats are more comfortable in the Civic, and, wonder of wonders, it doesnt have any rattles. That was one thing that bugged me about the Infiniti. Bottom line: Driving green can be fun, if you own a Honda Civic, that is.

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  Very dissappointed - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Katinka2420 - September 10 - 3:55 pm

  I bought my very first new Honda and everything went wrong with it rotors, starter, emergency brake was never even hooked up. Every time I had to get its scheduled maintenance I didnt have my vechicle for few days due to mechanical probs. The civic w/ 227,000 miles I traded in was more reliable. I just recently got rid of it because Honda Corp. was willing to do NOTHING to help me with my issues. Very disappointed, always loved honda, had to switch to Toyota.

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  Still Looks and Runs Great - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Jeffrey - September 8 - 3:31 pm

  Bought my VTech new - the 6 cylinder engine kicks - a little jerky off the line but the transition between other gears is slick. The car still looks contemporary (the spoiler helps) and people cannot believe it is 5 years old. It is fast and handles well.

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  I wish we didnt buy it - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By 5052 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Our Honda has been in for engine noise. We like the vehicle. But we dont like the problems with engine ping. Between 2000 to 3000 rpms on stop and go driving.

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  Great Vehicle, But One Complaint - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Mitchell Pak - September 8 - 8:20 am

  We purchased an 03 Odyssey EX-L in June of 2005. It was practically new (6000 miles). So far, we have put nearly 3000 miles on it, including a family trip to Pennsylvania, and it has been absolutely perfect. My only complaint with the Odyssey is that the interior is a little rattly. When the road is somewhat bumpy, quite common in NYC, the interior shimmies and shakes and rattles. I had a 97 Accord once and it never rattled like that. I dont know whether this is endemic with minivans or just my vehicle. Otherwise, its a great vehicle, fun to drive, plenty of power and with numerous amenities. Typical Honda. I rate it 8 out of 10 overall.