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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  POOR performance - 2007 Honda Fit
  By charlie - April 25 - 5:53 pm

  I replaced a 1986 Civic Si with this weak sister in April. Big mistake. My Si got about 15% better fuel economy and would run rings around my Fit. Top speed in 4th gear (5200 RPM): 101; top speed in 5th gear: 83. No kidding. 83 MPH. Disgusting. Oh, mediocre acceleration as well.

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  so so - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By brigs - April 25 - 10:00 am

  overall, has a pleasant and comfortable feel in driving aswell as riding the pilot. easy to manuver but somtimes I hear clicking sound under the vehicle even when the windows are closed.

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  Some what satisfied - 2002 Honda Accord
  By srikanth - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Very nice car... Air conditioning is not acceptable in hot weather... Dealer has looked at the AC and cant find any thing amiss... Freon is supposedly okay.. This spoils the way I feel about the car... I possible not purchase another Accord..

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  MOST RELIABLE CAR - 1994 Honda Accord
  By RICHL - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely incredible reliability. Zero unexpected repairs, only routine maintainance (oil chges,filters,bulbs timing belts, etc.) in over 365,000 miles. Starts better than my wifes new Accord, and drives like the day I bought it cloth seats show no wear. 2 failures in all this time: cassette player eats tapes so it now holds my CD adapter, and the electric antenna mast needed to be replaced ($25.). I kept it away from local Honda garage which has a reputation for creating problems. This has also been my experience with my daughters 93 Accord which has not been as trouble free (bought used).

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  New Styling. Tight Pkg. Still Popular! - 1998 Honda Civic
  By casper90651 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This was

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  It will run forever - 1992 Honda Accord
  By MLF_66062 - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This car will run forever. I have 235,000 miles on mine. It has some nuiscance items later in its life (oil leak, main relay (causes problems starting the car in hot hot weather), etc.). Overall, though, if youre a frugal person that will stay with a car for a long time, this is the one for you. I have had extremely low maintence costs and have really enjoyed owning this car.

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  A very nice car for the price - 2006 Honda Accord
  By vb - April 19 - 7:33 pm

  I had a test drive on 2004 BMW 325i, 2.5 L, - and, unexpectedly, was disappointed. The 6 speed V6 Accord is the best idea so far. This car is clearly not boring. Driving is GREAT!!! The only problem remains is the ROAD NOISE.

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  great for the money - 2003 Honda Civic
  By kimbot - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 2 jettas an 1985 and 1996. I had terrible experiences 2 years after i bout my used 96 jetta which scared me away from the newer volkswagens. i keep obsessing over jettas because they are so good looking , comfortable and fun to drive yet they are totally unreliable and expensive to maintain. Civic have always been my second choice and if i hadnt had a jetta im sure i would have been a bigger honda enthusiast. ( its hard to get over the interior differences even though the new civics are much nicer than they used to be they just dont compare to jettas.)

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  Not a happy camper - 2003 Honda Accord
  By brknardo - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Serious problems, fast idle when cold, car runs at 20 mph with foot off the gas pedal. Dealer cant fix. Gas milage is at 23-24 mpg, again they cant fix. This is my first Honda, I think it will be my last. After looking at the NHSTA site,others are having problems as well (including airbags that dont work on impact). Im more than a little concerned with the quality of this car. Suggest you do a lot of research before buying. Appears to have a rotten egg smell that enters the drivers compartment, nasty.

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  Excellent small SUV for cities - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Rockwell - April 18 - 7:00 am

  We are of a small family living in Houston and only have a BMW 325 sedan, which has limited carrying capacity (and not ideal for shopping at The Home Depot). We thus need something that can carry a lot of cargo, is easy to drive in an urban environment with reasonable gas mileage. We have tested drove both the RAV4 and the CR-V. We found that the design of the CR-V is very thoughtful for small families and for woman drivers. Thus far, we believe that we have made the right decision. Many people go with the RAV4 b/c of the V6 power but review from this web site has shown that the V6 produces too much power for such a small car to be stable at high speed.