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:

• 

  Fabulous Van! - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By bruzoo - November 3 - 8:14 pm

  We LOVED our Odyssey! It never had ANY problems in all of its 8 years we had it! At the time we bought it, we had 3 small children! Great on long trips! Easy to park! Very comfortable seating... We just traded it on an SUV (Acura MDX) to do better in the snow, here in Colorado.

• 

  Best choice in segment - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Jeromey - November 3 - 7:48 pm

  The car has been extremely reliable. No maintenance required except oil, tires, brakes over 7 years. Handles well, agile car, fun to drive with 5 speed manual. Holds value very well, thus probably best choice in the segment.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Warren - November 3 - 7:10 pm

  Hey Guys, If you are looking for an Accord like mine then look no further. Hondas 05 Accord is one of the best choices to make for buying. I was in the market for the Civic EX but when I thought of only adding a couple of grand more I got leather, 16in rims, dual cliamte control, and my favorite the DOHC I-VTEC engine.

• 

  1st and Last Honda - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By gwal - November 3 - 6:00 pm

  I bought this van as our family grew and we needed more room and wanted it to be reliable. It was a certified van with 29,000 mi on it. After purchase, I immediately became unsatisfied with the amount of road noise and interior functions malfunctioning. Issues were fixed under certified warranty. At 50,000 mi (current) started to have transmission shuddering even though maintenance schedule has been followed. After 3 trips to the dealer and a call to Honda, they are replacing the transmission under warranty. Dont know how many miles this one will last, but hopefully until I can trade it. Van depreciated horribly and will probably have to keep it another 2 years to break even on trade.

• 

  Still a solid, everyday car - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Mark - November 3 - 1:02 pm

  Purchased the Civic based on its reputation above all else. Wanted a reliable, fuel-efficient, decent sized starter car. To this point it has not disappointed. It has a fairly roomy interior (can comfortably fit 4 people who are under 6 feet tall). The dashboard design is useful with the mph gauge sitting above the rpm gauge--have had no problems with it. If anything, it is more convenient because your eyes barely have to glance down to see your speed. I have been getting mileage along the lines expected: 28ish city/traffic driving and 36ish highway. The drive and handling is smooth enough, but Im no expert on that.

• 

  Go for the Stick - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Ran - November 3 - 11:00 am

  Car looks great in coupe form. Would recommend to get the stick, as the automatic feels quite detuned. There is also a lag on acceleration, likely due to the VEM. 2008 models have many problem areas; rear brake premature wear at 20,000, improperly installed headlights and taillights causing paint chipping around the lights. Seats are too firm and leather is quite "hard" in character and feel. Lots of room, especially for the driver and passenger. Radio works great. Gas mileage not quite as good as advertised. Quality does not seem to be up to par as previous Hondas. Resale value for the V6 is unacceptably low. Rear window should have a rear wiper.

• 

  The New Accord, 4cyl dohc 5A. - 2005 Honda Accord
  By John Overby - November 3 - 4:40 am

  The new accord is an amazing vehical. I have the 4cyl 5 speed auto. The one thing I really love is the 5 speed automatic transmission, very intelligent and the extra gear adds to the fuel economy too. I like Lincoln Town cars but the suspension sucks. The Accord is considered a luxury car but has stiff sport suspension which in my opinion is awesome. I drove it across country, North Carolina to Alaska. In the mountains there were curvey roads that suggested 40mph which I easily took at 95 to 100 mph! with ease. I was very impressed. First gear accellerates very fast and easily pulls ahead of all other traffic especially at tolls, my favorite. Steering is tight at 120mph.

• 

  Just got it - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Edward Phipps - November 3 - 2:14 am

  Still new and getting use to the vehicle. Bought it for the safety features and the AWD (NE Winters).

• 

  Good but needs some work - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Mr. G - November 3 - 1:03 am

  I am surprised about my honda pilot. What is surprising me is the extremely carlike performance. The brakes are excellent as well as the acceleration. I quite simply enjoy my vehicle. The navigation system is very easy to use and helpful. There are only two complaints that I have about my pilot.They are about the gas mileage and the transmission. I simply feel that the gas mileage in the city is HORRIBLE, especially when u take into consideration that the engine, while plentiful in horsepower and torque isnt as big as some of its competition. My only other complaint is about the transmission. It seems as though my pilots transmission seems to quikly downshift under acceleration on the road.

• 

  Excellent SUV - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By SatisfiedOwner - November 2 - 11:20 pm

  The 2007 Pilot is very comfortable, has excellent performance and handling. It could use a little better heating and cooling controls for use between the front and rear areas. Also when the windows are all down the reverberation is so bad it just about takes your ears out. These two problems are minor and overall I would definitely buy another and would recommend it to anyone who wants a comfortable SUV with room for 8 and a good compromise between size and economy. I get about 18.5 to 19 back and forth to work and about 22mpg on the freeway with the cruise on 80mph. No larger than it is I would think that Honda could make the vehicle get 22 around town and about 25-26 on the highway.