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:

• 

  Best car period - 1995 Honda Civic
  By aj - December 29 - 1:10 pm

  Ive been selling cars for 14 years now, and not imports. First Honda Ive owned. Car was traded in and I didnt need another car but couldnt pass up for $500. It had 131,000 miles on it when I bought it. Now it has 208,000 miles on it. All I can say is WOW. I never thought 4 1/2 years later I would still be driving it. (It is my work car. 20,000 miles a year.) I change the oil every 5,000 miles, new exhaust, new radiator after it started getting hot because 1/4 of it was gone, plugs and wires, and thats it. All was cheap and did myself. Still has the same brakes front and back from when I bought it. I wouldnt take 2,000 for it cause I know I couldnt replace it. Most reliable car ever. :)

• 

  Settled for better - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Truck 2 car - December 29 - 12:46 pm

  I bought a Civic after reviewing every other car in its class. I used my NRA discount and saved another $1700.00. I was thinking I was settling when in reality I traded up. This car is solid, reliable, gets great mileage with my lead foot, is fun to drive, and comfortable on long trips. The USB port works with ipod, flash drives and external USB hard drives. The center console holds my work gear easily. The remote is handy and the open roof is great here in the south, as it lets out the heat. I just wish I could open it with the remote. I would love more power, and could have gone with the Si, but insurance costs are much higher. My EX only raised my rates a few dollars.

• 

  Excellent Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Barry - December 29 - 12:39 pm

  Best balance of comfort, performance, economy, utility and trouble free driving in this price range. The styling is Jazzy-Functional. Seats are supportive and comfortable for a 6 hour drive. With the A/T, highway noise is low at 70 mph (2500 rpm). Only gets noisy above 3000 rpm, which is apparently where the M/T cruises at 70 mph. Fun to drive quickly in the twisties- just keep it in S (1st-3rd) or use the paddle shifters and keep the rpm up. Only down-side is that it gets twitchy in 30 knot cross winds. This is my 5th Honda/Acura-none kept less than 8 years. That says a lot about overall satisfaction level.

• 

  Spend Your Money Elsewhere - 2007 Honda Fit
  By fit2006 - December 29 - 10:15 am

  Purchased Honda Fit 8/2006. LOCK: After 2 years, the drivers lock stopped working. Honda did not stand by the lock. Passenger lock also failing. BRAKES: Passenger brake caliper stuck causing the pad to wear down on that side only. Honda fixed it and promised it wouldnt happen again. This time, slider sticking, brake pad on passenger worn again! VISIBILITY: The side curtain airbags cause two very large blind spots for people my size (under 53"). HANDLING: The car has a high center of gravity. Wind causes the car to dance a bit on the highway. BODY INTEGRITY: Any kind of minor collision causes this car to crumple and the bumper to come off! The car is very boring.

• 

  My #2 car. The Z is #1. - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Zman - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, but way too small. The top does not impresses as much as the Z top. A good car.

• 

  Love my E! - 2004 Honda Element
  By louise in texas - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I love my Element. The ONLY thing I would change if I could is the gas mileage, which for my automatic transmission averages around 20 mpg in the city. But I wouldnt trade it for anything, and 20 mpg is better than my previous American sedans ever got!

• 

  2004 Honda Element - 2004 Honda Element
  By steer - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Drive it...youll buy it! This is the 1957 VW Beatle made for 2004.

• 

  Honda soso - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Nielsen - December 29 - 2:00 am

  The seats are stiff which goes along with the ride. The leather is not soft. I have decided that I really do not like the style. I have had electrical problems.

• 

  Pilot review - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By rtrnow - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Have only driven about 2500 miles so far, but love this vehicle! It is well engineered and manufactured. Lots of glass amd low cut hood allows wonderful vision. Very smooth engine and transmission. Very comfortable.

• 

  Pilot great all-around vehicle - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By lookdowntheroad - December 29 - 2:00 am

  We get 25 mpg/highway (70-75 mph), 19 mpg average. Plenty of power, plenty of room in front and middle row, although third row is strictly for kids. Handles well on the highway and secondary roads but its not made for driving fast on back roads. Uses 5W/20 oil, which might be hard to find. Changing the oil filter is a breeze, a first in 32 years of driving. We have the DVD player and the kids absolutely love it. We live on a mile-long dirt road and it handles that well, goes great in the CT snow. All the luxury of the Acura MDX with more room and a lower price.