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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  Rants and Raves - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By honda_5 - March 2 - 4:15 pm

  Plenty of space, enough power to do what I need, looks great, nice features and functions.

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  Uncomfortable Im giving it to my twins - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By husky46cc - March 2 - 12:58 am

  I cant drive this car on a trip. The headrest is tilted so far forward that I cant get comfortable. I have a neck ache for a week after a 300 mile trip. My advice: Drive this car out on the interstate for at least 15 minutes before you buy it. I wish I had. Also uncomfortable: The surface of the steering wheel is slippery plastic. It makes my hand ache after 45 minutes of highway driving. Again - DRIVE this car before you plunk down the money. Make sure you fit in it comfortably. I didnt drive it enough. I regret it. I should have gotten the Forester. Its too bad that the car is so uncomfortable. Otherwise Id keep it forever. One more time: Do NOT test drive this ca

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  This Car Helped Save My Life - 2008 Honda Accord
  By macy1022 - March 1 - 9:33 am

  I bought this car used with 14,000 miles on it in 04/2009. With the exception of a brake repair fairly early on I had no problems with it. The interior did feel a little cheap compared to my two previous Honda Accords (1994, 2000), but it didnt bother me too terribly. I was driving this car home when I was rear ended by a distracted driver. I was stopped in traffic, and he hit me at around 50 MPH. The force of the crash deployed the airbags and totaled out the car. It was unrecognizable. Yet despite the severity of the crash, I had few injuries thanks to this Honda and its safety features. That car saved my life, and I will forever be grateful that I was driving it that day.

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  A real world vehicle - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By northstar243 - February 19 - 9:56 am

  This one does it all. No, it does not handle like a sports car nor does it get the mileage of a hybrid, but if you need the space for 8 people and still like a respectable 30 mpg while cruising at 70 mph, then it does what it needs to do. Like a circus clown car, the outside dimensions and driving experience do not begin to tell the full story about just how much space is inside and how much you can do with it. The Honda Odyssey gives you all the minivan benefits while offering the least "minivan like" package.

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  Used to love but no more - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By sandy2001 - February 18 - 1:04 pm

  Brought my 2007 Pilot brand new. Now February 2013 with only 64,000 my spark plugs are gone and coil burned. The dealer told me it will cost $4500 to fix. I am very disappointed and upset with Honda. The technician told me they dont check spark plugs until 100,000 miles. So I would have no way on knowing that there is a problem. It give no warning. I was sitting at the traffic light when the Pilot starting shaking and making a noise as I drove off. I had to pull into a shopping center and have it towed to the dealer because I could not drive it. I have owned 4 Hondas but I think this will be my last.

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  The Good and the Bad - 2007 Honda Accord
  By joe287 - February 16 - 11:03 am

  The Good: Reliability, low repair costs, comfortable cabin, satellite radio The Bad: poor turning radius, long delay when putting car in reverse gear, transmission acts funny at 60MPH (RPMs are too low causing car to shake and vibrate as if the tires are flat), really poor mileage (gets 25MPG on highway but when car idles it gobbles gas fast causing city to be more like 17MPG), responsiveness is just ok. Overall: Would not buy another. I expected more from this car. The worst part is the turning radius, for such a small car I would expect to zip in and out of parking spaces, just canÂ’t happen which makes the car ultra-ultra uncomfortable to run around town with!

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  Best SUV out there - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By ssmith000 - February 15 - 6:34 pm

  Looked at several different SUVs including the Volvo XC90. The Volvo XC90s ride was too rigid and the design was very outdated. Also, not a lot of space. Saw the Honda Pilot at a local auto show and fell in love. Had all of the features you could ask for. Not to mention the Hondas reputation of being very reliable. The Pilot does not feel like a large SUV when driving, but the cabin space is huge! Plenty of room for 8 adults with plenty of storage. Took it on a long distance trip that was about 7 hours and was completely satisfied with the comfort and drive. Love the navigation, rear entertainment system, backup camera and hands free bluetooth. Overall a great vehicle.

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  Defective CRV 2013 - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By customer126 - February 14 - 6:50 pm

  This car lacks power, it is nice looking but it came defective. at 500 needed to be repair for defective components that made the check engine light go on, then i found water in the trunk. The car needed to be sealed and after the next rain, there is water again. Not recommended!! Although the sticker says it may give you 25-30 miles per gallon, it never does. The max was 22 mpg

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  A lot of things to like except transmission/power - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By carmen22 - February 13 - 6:56 pm

  I have owned my 2013 for 3 weeks. I love the interior. Its roomy and well designed and the back seats fold down easy for hauling. Im doing mostly in town driving and getting a solid 22 miles/gallon. The seats I would give this car 5 stars except that it recently started making a rattle noise when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. Dealer says its normal. Sometimes power is an issue when needing to surge onto the interstate.

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  Battery drain problem? - 2013 Honda Civic
  By htnj1 - February 13 - 2:34 pm

  Love the interior and exterior quality. New civic has a comfortable ride and very good fuel efficiency. Also like the fact that bluetooth and rear view camera are standard on all 2013 Civics. However, in the second week after buying the car I didnt drive it for another week and the car wouldnt start. Turns out the battery was dead due to cold weather (around 10-20 deg F) After jump start everything was ok but for a new car this is quite unexpected. Will have to watch it going forward how it behaves....