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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  My review after over a year with our 2012 Pilot - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By antons911 - March 23 - 12:11 am

  Love the pilot for the interior space, real SUV look, solid feel while driving on freeways. Amazing interior space. Fits what ever you wanted to haul. The reality is, there is no competitor with ability to fit your family or things like the Pilot. We tried everything, and if you want third row to fit three people, there is really nothing out there that has that room for legs (armada, sequoia, all horrible).

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  Battery Pack Failure at 90K! - 2007 Honda Accord
  By bchristianmdd - March 21 - 3:34 pm

  I picked up this car with 67K miles for $16,000. Fuel economy scrapes 40 MPG doing 65mph. My batteries have failed and were replaced under my extended warranty I purchased from the dealer. $2,700 to replace batteries with no warranty! I have also had a navigation button replaced and a transmission switch repaired under warranty. This car is a phenomenal value. Powerful, super efficient, roomy, quiet, loaded with tech, & visually appealing. The Apple/Honda designed iPod interface is a terrible design. A warranty is a must to much technology to possibly fail. Modern Honda achieve comparable fuel economy with no hybrid price tag. As why this car is no longer produced.

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  Not up to expectations - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By trollinthebox - March 20 - 8:42 pm

  Generally, I like the car. I see only one problem with it, mileage per gallon. On city/highway combined it makes 21 MPG, about the same as my 2006 RAV4. Economy mode doesnt do any good, just slows down the acceleration. Unfortunately, fuel economy is a big selling point, and its disappointing. Other than that, its nice car.

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  Overall Great Car - 2011 Honda Accord
  By edson1957 - March 20 - 3:05 pm

  The gas mileage on this vehicle is excellent. It is a very nice car to drive. However my one major complaint is that it noisy when out on the road. You can really hear a lot of road noise. Needs to be a much quieter ride.

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  Economic and reliable, but terribly built - 2009 Honda Civic
  By connorhol - March 17 - 9:51 pm

  The car handles well enough and has decent power. A 6th gear would have been welcome, but there 5spd auto is sufficient. Its a good looking car with good featured and it gets good gas mileage. The area where the civic FAILS is Im build quality. My rear LED brake light had to be replaced due to a bad solder point - a known defect. The interior rattles more than it should. The clearcoat on the hood was cracking and failing, but thankfully was fixed when I got a new hood due to hail damage. The driver seat has started squeaking loudly when I go over a bump, sometimes while entering and exiting the vehicle as well. This is a known issue with seat frame and Im working with the dealer.

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  Almost 220k and going strong !! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By clubber1 - March 16 - 6:25 pm

  2007 Ody, bought new in May of 2007, now has 218k (wife has long commute), had power steering issue a few weeks after purchase, dealer fixed. I have changed oil with Mobil 1 Extended Performance Synthetic every 10-12k miles. Been through three sets of front pads, rotors, rear pads and rotors replaced once, full timing belt service at 135k. Changed plugs myself at 176k, they still had more life, but changed anyway. Had tranny reflash, brake recall done (air in lines) , tranny fluid done twice so far, three sets of tires, two alignments, rear liftgate struts failed at 200k and five years. Looking to get at least another 100k out of her !!!

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  good value - 2007 Honda Element
  By boeserkritiker - March 14 - 12:38 pm

  I bought this vehicle new in 2007. got 97K miles now. It has served us reliably well as you hope from a honda with 2 exceptions. right after the warranty expired we had to shell out 500 bucks to replace a rear strut that was gone. and the original battery left us stranded multiple times when it was only 3y old. . i read on blogs that many people had that problem. since it got replaced, out of my pocket, that issue is gone. the door design is weird if you have people actually using the rear seats. especially in tight parking spots. you get trapped in the space between 2 doors. it gets worse if you have to get little children out of their child seats in the rear.

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  If you want reliability... - 2005 Honda Accord
  By stepay - March 12 - 2:44 pm

  ...get this car! Bought this car used in 2008 when it had 39,000 miles. Now has 78,000 and going strong. Have purchased new tires and then just oil and gas since. The Accord is just a great solid, safe, reliable car. If that excites you, then youre golden! Its not the most exciting car to look at, and its not all that fun to drive, but you turn the key and it starts and you get to where you want to be...that makes for a great car in my opinion. It has decent power too which is nice. Theres no reason we cant drive this car to 200,000 miles or more.

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  Noteworthy improvements and a great daily driver - 2013 Honda Civic
  By eldaino12 - March 12 - 12:32 pm

  The compact market doesnt have 2 or 3 clear cut winners anymore. Honda underestimated this when they designed the 2012 civic (which my wife owns). For someone like her, who just wants something that is painless to own and operate, and gets good mpg, its a great car. But for me, the improvements on the 2013 are a little more than subtle. the biggest and most obvious ones are with the new standard features and the interior quality. I never had a quiet honda until now. Its quieter than my buddies 2012 focus, which is something id never thought id be able to say. gotten nothing but compliments and it feels very germanic..more like my old golf than my previous civics

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  2013 "Pilot" ECO Mode Vibration - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By dr_frivolous - March 12 - 11:57 am

  This being my second new Honda Pilot in six years I would have to say Im somewhat disappointed. Even though the 2013 Pilot has been totally redesigned from my previous 2008 Pilot, Ive found serious flaws with the engine and transmission. The 2008 Pilot never had any noticeable "spark knock" whereas the 2013 definitely does. Also, there is a distinct vibration while in ECO mode when traveling on relatively flat roadways when applying light fuel pedal pressure. Lastly, the molding over the rear door is noticeable uneven. It appears (with the exception of the molding) these are things I will have to live with as the Dealership says they are natural characteristics of the vehicle.....