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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  Love My CR-V! - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Bride of Mookie - December 28 - 3:24 pm

  We have had this car for 8 months so far and I love it! Just took our first long trip (1800 miles) and thought it was time to write a review. There is very little we dont like. The CR-V replaced our Pontiac Montana - wanted something a little smaller, but not a car. For a long trip that we make once a year, we missed the extra space, but for the rest of the year, it is great!

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  Brilliant! - 1999 Honda Civic
  By rohan - December 28 - 3:13 pm

  I will never sell this car! I have had it since 2007 and a lot of people tell me I need to upgrade to a better car. I never will, here are the secrets: - They only made a few Honda HXs. Its got a unique transmission that gives it appox 38 mpg. They stopped making the HXs so Honda could come up with its Hybrids! - I got the stickshft. I did change Timing Belt along with all belts/sparks and the ride is great. - I can go from Cleveland to Chicago/New York on one full tank of gas (which is all of 12 gallons!!!) - I put the best/premium gas - yes, thats how much I love this car LOL. Its got 136000 miles on it currently and I plan on driving it least to 300000...

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  Bulletproof! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By borntodrive - December 28 - 1:49 pm

  There is only one word that describes this car... bulletproof! Im 18 and thus I have done things to it that I regret, yet barely phases it! It is a ballerina in the snow, and very comfortable for a long drive (I put 50 miles on it a couple days ago) and avoided an accident with my friend (AMAZING brakes). Excellent power too, great soundtrack when you step on it, and not bad mileage when driven correctly! Had a friend say she liked this car better than my friends 6 month old Grand Cherokee. Very roomy in the back, routinely transports 4 friends with no problems. Not another car among us that can do it so well (save for my moms minivan). Some of my friends call it "The Beast". It sure is!

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  2 Year Ownership - 2007 Honda Civic
  By mb0130 - December 28 - 12:25 pm

  I bought this vehicle because I needed one - before kids. Its better if you dont have kids. All I can fit in the trunk is a stroller and a portable crib and not much else. The ride was ok at first, but it has gotten worse. Recently, the bars on the gas gauge go up and down. I have had to replace the sun visors because the heat split the plastic and wouldnt allow them to close. The radio a couple of times has gone out for a minute and then will come back on and once the car wouldnt turn over and nothing was wrong with it. The up and down shift is also not the greatest in the automatic. Sometimes I have to press the gas pedal all the way down to get up speed to get on the highway.

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  Buy it for Speed, Own it for Life! - 2000 Honda S2000
  By bmoreys2k - December 28 - 9:32 am

  When the S2000 was launched I was fortunate enough to have been working at American Hondas headquarters in Torrance. Knowing that it was hand built along with the NSX in Japan is one thing but seeing first hand how the engineering of this vehicle delivered the highest horsepower per liter of any production vehicle at the time was just as astonishing. I have owned this AP1 for years and have enjoyed every minute of it. The AP1 S2000 have a 9K rev limiter and handle with precision. Buy it for speed, own it for life.

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  What a great car!! - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Mike K. - December 28 - 9:28 am

  I purchased my 1999 Honda 2Dr EX V6 new in April 99. I have 110,000 miles on this car and I must say that it is an excellent vehicle. I drive it daily and find it very enjoyable to drive. It has great performance and reliability and it is very comfortable on long drives. My overall average mileage is 23.5 miles per gallon. Which hasnt changed much since I bought the car. I plan on keeping this car for a very long time. I highly recommend it.

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  Great Family Sports Sedan - 2003 Honda Accord
  By ZHorton - December 28 - 8:42 am

  Im writing this review because Edmunds.com was such a valuable source of research when I was car shopping, and I wanted to return the favor. We recently bought a used 2003 Honda Accord EX v6 with 72,000 miles. Immediately I was struck with the aggressive acceleration of the Accord - this car is fast! I had driven Hondas in the past and always loved how tight they feel, both on road handling and interior components. Everything feels well considered and integrated. I bought this car primarily for my wife for her daily use. I drive it on long road trips (just logged 1,000 miles on the last one), and feel it is perfectly suited for our needs, reliable, safe (for when we have kids) and fun!

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  New EX-L - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By John - December 28 - 6:55 am

  Took a 600 mile road trip over Christmas. The pilot did great, we have one 15 month old and another on the way. The vehicle is roomy and very comfortable to drive. Love all the cubbies to store stuff in. The suspension is amazing and the highway ride is great as well. I did not notice any lack of power and got 21mpg as it is not broken in yet. Go drive one for yourself, I drove a lot of vehicles but none of them stacked up safety and feature wise to the Pilot.

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  My new 05 Civic is GREAT - 2005 Honda Civic
  By tim - December 28 - 5:43 am

  Qhat they did this year by adding in the ABS brakes and alloy wheels is perfect, they kept the comfort and style the same just moderized it, and its perfect... smooth ride, good pick up and go... right along with some of the best gas mileage avaliable on the market

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  Freakin Awesome! - 2009 Honda Civic
  By 2009civichybrid - December 28 - 5:40 am

  I test drove a 2008 model before the 2009, and the feel and acceleration is much smoother and noticeably more responsive in the 2009 vs. 2008. I did not want to rate reliability, as I have only had the car for a couple weeks now. But for the two weeks I will just say 10. The Civic Hybrid is rated better in crash test than the Prius, and gets comparable fuel economy. I truly believe the Honda Civic Hybrid is a far better value than any other small or mid-sized hybrid vehicle on the market.