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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  The Fit is indeed go! - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Christian - November 24 - 12:40 pm

  Great vehicle for the price and (in my opinion) competes with vehicles costing much more. Ride is quiet, (given wheel base and vehicle weight) seats are comfortable, available seating and storage space is amazing (given the exterior dimensions) and the car is just plain fun to drive. Automatic is not fast, by any means, but more than adequate for around town driving and highway cruising speeds. Some interior materials are flimsy, but the main gear (AC and radio controls, gauges, dash) is very well put together and solid to the touch. Everything is well laid out and easily accessed from the drivers seat. Overall build quality appears to be excellent. Honda has really done a great job!

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  Great Car - 2003 Honda Civic
  By pvaultguy - November 24 - 10:58 am

  Great economical car. Great fuel economy and low cost of ownership. I have had no problems with this car. Very reliable. The ride is a little firm but it is the Civic not the Accord. Acceleration is decent. Parking is very easy. The interior is very nice. The back seat has decent room for a coupe. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for an economical and reliable car.

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  My first and last honda - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Mark A. - November 24 - 3:33 am

  This was my first Honda purchase and it will be my last due to the poor performance of the V-6 variable cylinder management engine. When I bought the car the salesman and the brochure indicates that the VCM will work unnoticed. However after driving the car for awhile now that is not true at all. I complained to the dealer and the service manager indicated that they have had a lot of complaints about that engine. He put me in touch with the Honda Regional representative and he told me the same thing. He also told me that the V-6 engine has been "disappointing". However, Honda wont do anything about it, Im stuck with it. I will be getting rid of this car this spring.

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  Great car for the money - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Motor_Street - November 24 - 12:53 am

  I bought it two weeks ago and am very pleased. 29.4 MPG in second fillup on city/country roads (no highways!). I looked at others but decided on the Accord due to fuel economy and roomy interior. I was willing to spend a few thousand more if I could get more value but couldnt justify it based on what I was getting with the Accord. I went out with my wife and another couple last night and they couldnt believe the comfort and room in the back. On the downside, I wish they would have a thermometer that it easy to access. Other annoying omissions include no mute button on the radio, no fuel economy guage and no compass!

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  Fun to drive pocket rocket - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Al R. - November 23 - 11:36 pm

  I enjoy my S2000 to the limit. The seats are as comfortable as any seat could ever be. The power isnt bad at lower RPMs but the car is awesome when revved to 6800 RPMs. Brakes are very good, the car handles like nothing Ive ever driven before. The Prelude was a fun car to drive, but a Prelude could never satisfy anyone that has driven an S2K! The S2Ks mileage is extremely good considering how much power it has and how I end up high revving it fairly often. It has all the power you need to come up any hill in any gear you choose without losing speed.

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  Uncomfortable, noisy, problematic - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By unhappy - November 23 - 7:09 pm

  Drivers passage is very uncomfortable for anyone over 6 feet. Others have commented on head rests being poorly designed - I agree 100%. Highway noise is quite annoying, needs more insulation. Pickup is OK at best, but what do you expect for a 4 cylinder. My biggest complaint is that I have had to had the brakes worked on twice with less than 30,000 miles. I have minivans that are far heavier that dont need brakes until 50,000 miles or more, and I drive them the same way. I also had to have the differential serviced. The service people basically said you cant leave the car out in the rain because the brakes will collect water, which led to my problem.

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  So Far So Good - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By michelle - November 23 - 4:56 pm

  I just traded in my 2006 Pilot for the 2009 because I could not find a 2008 SE in my area. That being said, I read all of the reviews and was quite hesitant, but so far I am pleasantly surprised and happy with the vehicle. It is definitely geared more toward its competitors of the Pathfinder and 4Runner in that it drives much more like a truck which will be a disappointment for anyone looking for the new Pilot to be exactly like the old. With that being said, its overall functionality is much more than the previous models in that it is much more spacious, heavy duty and an "all around" family vehicle.

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  Great Car with low Maintenance Costs - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Syed Asif - November 23 - 4:20 pm

  Bought it brand new and now have 104K miles. No trouble other than a AC switch ( $450 ). Low cost SUV and a pretty safe one at that. Love it.

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  Supercrew Convert - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By R Nuckles - November 23 - 4:00 pm

  I bought my Ridgeline about a month ago while traveling with my family from Cincinnati to San Antonio. My 2001 F- 150 Supercrew 4x4 5.4L with only 79k miles experienced a repeated stalling problem that my dealer at home, and the one I stopped at in Memphis could not diagnose or fix. Being fed up with my second unfixable Ford of the year, I walked 3 blocks down the street to a Honda dealer and purchased my Ridgeline that afternoon. Though I had read its reviews,I was absolutely dumbfounded by how incredible it was to drive, how roomy its interior was. I own a boat, have a wife, 2 sons and 2 dogs and the Honda handles them all as well or better than my F-150, and handles like a touring sedan.

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  2009 Honda RT Ridgeline - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ed - November 23 - 9:38 am

  I bought a Ridgeline 3 weeks ago. Have used it for hauling dirt bikes, firewood and took it deer hunting in the woods. This thing does it all for the everyday man. Not for the contractor worker. Runs great, peppy, hugs the road - no lean. First out I did trip displays, got 18.2 - 20.3 mpg. Not bad for 500 miles on it. Compares to mpg on my Chevy silverado. Roomy front and back seats and lots of storage. Love the trunk idea. Works great for locking the chain saw in and other valuables. A good all-around multi-use vehicle for the everyday dad/man.