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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  Good Rattle Box - 2003 Honda Civic
  By JohnSR - July 26 - 10:00 am

  Nice Car to drive, not extremely powerful but adequate for city driving. Excellent gas milage. Interior design is good, but oh my goodness what a rattle box. After 300 miles it had one serious rattle and several smaller ones - not what you would expect from Honda. I have to take it to the dealership to look at it, but I am not too optimistic about getting it fixed as rattkes are tricky to find.

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  Good overall - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By axr80c - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Good overall since bought. No major problems. Problems with door sticking, taken to dealer couple times. Rick Case is good about repairs etc. Stay away from Motor Cars Cleve Hts. They kept the vehicle all day 3 times for a clinking noise. They couldnt find problem. Eventually they wanted to replace my whole subframe to solve the clinking noise, which was repaired at Rick Case with a simple bolt tightening.

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  i hate the inside arm rests - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By albuquerque1956@yahoo.com - July 22 - 4:41 pm

  The stick arm rest have got to go, put on console with arm rest like I dont know the CRV. On long trips the stick arm rests dont work for me.

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  Overrated - 2009 Honda Civic
  By David - July 21 - 11:53 am

  Its Honda reliability and there is no disputing that. But in reality, the car is overrated. The car rides very rough and road noise is horrible. No vanity lights is an oversight on Hondas part. The car handles good but is lacking in some basic features like: vanity lights, power seats, in- dash 6 disc changer, and homelink. It has good power unless youre merging into traffic and need to get out there (you may be in trouble). When you compare the Civic, Corolla, & Mazda3, dollar for dollar and feature for feature I think Honda ends up in last place. I think they are relying too much on a legacy and have become too complacent. Would not have another one thats for sure.

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  My View - 1990 Honda Civic
  By Hitman450 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is bar-none, one of the best cars Ive ever owned. Nothing major has gone wrong with it that I didnt do, and yes, this car has been through a lot, but it keeps going and going. I must also say, for as old as the body design is, it still looks competitive on the street. It gets great gas mileage, considering todays gas prices. Rust? What rust? Even the smallest amount of maintainence will prevent any of that from happening on this car, and we are talking about an all minnesota car here, where rust is commonplace. I would recommend anyone to buy a civic, its one of the most reliable cars out there.

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  Not Bad... owes me nothing - 1994 Honda Accord
  By tommy10987 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  My main complaint with the 94 Honda is the rust problems with the rear wheel wells. However, I just decided to put some $$$ into fixing the rust since the car has been pretty reliable overall, and actually felt as fun to drive than a new one! In the 7 years I have owned it, have had two oil leaks (one reimbursed later due to recall), and have had to replace both window motors, clutch slave cylinder, and A/C condenser. Removed heat shield to get rid of the silly noise. Currently, the right door actuator keeps making a noise, the hood doesnt shut well, and in really hot humid weather sometimes doesnt start the first time.

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  Mixed Feelings - 2002 Honda Civic
  By deejay - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Faulty cab light was replaced by the dealer. Vinyl molding by the drivers side gets loose and have to be pushed in place. Defrot only with the AC on is very irritating. Sometimes fails to start for no apparent reason. Brakes jerk when applied hard. Apart from that, fun car to drive. Paid a high price. I have owned both domestic and imports, Ford to VW to Toyota. I believe this is the best.

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  First Van - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By nowavanguy - July 18 - 5:56 am

  We researched the Sienna and this one and finally went for the odyssey because it drove better and looks better overall than the Sienna, in my opinion. On the inside, they are both pretty competitive and I did not find anything that stood out that was better than the other. The Sienna had all these confusing package options with not all option packages that you like available in all regions. This is a mess. On the contrary Honda has implemented a simpler scheme where you have 4 or 5 basic packages and individual accessories on top on them to choose from. A nice van overall.

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  Leather seats - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Casey P. - July 17 - 3:05 pm

  This is my second Honda Accord. My first was a 1999 EX-L I never had one issue with my leather seats. They were great quality. It had 240,000 miles when I sold it and they had the normal wear but no cracks. My 2010 Accord I have now the seats are ripping and Ive already replaced one armrest and its tearing again. They are so cheap!!! It ridiculous you spend this much money on something and its junk!! Im very disappointed in the quality of leather. It looks like crap!!

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  Leather seats - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Casey P. - July 17 - 3:05 pm

  This is my second Honda Accord. My first was a 1999 EX-L I never had one issue with my leather seats. They were great quality. It had 240,000 miles when I sold it and they had the normal wear but no cracks. My 2010 Accord I have now the seats are ripping and Ive already replaced one armrest and its tearing again. They are so cheap!!! It ridiculous you spend this much money on something and its junk!! Im very disappointed in the quality of leather. It looks like crap!!