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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  1997 Honda Accord 4dr LX - 1997 Honda Accord
  By Robert Bloomquist - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Car is extremely reliable. I am 62" and I thought it was more suited for someone that was 59"-60". truck is roomy for this size car and it handles well in the snow. Very good car, we also own a Camry 1998 and I would pick the Honda over the Camry. I believe the Hondas construction is more sound than the Camry, the trim on the Camry seems less refined and much more chinsy.

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  Fantastic Vehicle, poor radio/entertainment system - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Brad P - April 16 - 12:20 pm

  Solid! I previously owned a 2007 Pilot, and the 2016 redesign is a major improvement. Side mirror camera, push button start, remote start are a few of my favorite features that I suddenly cant live without. Theres not much more praise I can add to the many positive reviews out there. But there is one huge letdown with the 2016 Pilot -- the entertainment system. 1. Gone are the days of a simple volume control you could twist if you suddenly needed a lower or higher volume. Honda now gives you an electronic slider thats sluggish -- like petting a flat glass caterpillar repeatedly hoping the volume will eventually change. 2. Everything is hidden behind slow/sluggish menus. Need to switch from radio to CD? Touch the screen, wait a bit, touch the screen, wait a bit, etc until you find the right option. 3. The FM radio. Oh the FM radio. Honda stocks the cars "premium sound system" with an FM radio that sounds like mono-AM, and fades out to a dull muffle a few times a minute. It boggles my mind. Just google "Honda pilot 2016 fm radio quality" to find various forum discussions about this problem, and Hondas (as far as I know as of this writing) lack of an official solution. Its bizarre for Honda to build such a great car, but include such a poor quality radio. 4. Playing music off of flash drives. Great in concept, but horrible in execution. Besides having to deal with the sluggish UI and lack of a decent volume button, there is also no pause/stop. Also, when you start the car, it begins automatically playing the first track (alphabetically) off the drive. Same song, EVERY TIME you start the car. We are thinking of recording a 10 minute song of silence called "aaaaaaaaaa keep your sanity" and dropping that on the flash drive to, you know, keep our sanity. 5. Have you parked the car but want to keep listening to the end of that song or news story (you know, NPR driveway moments)? Youll basically have to keep the car running if you want to listen without major interruption. There is no way to turn the car off while keeping the audio system powered. If you turn off the engine, to resume listening you then have to power the car up in accessory mode , but with a 10-20 disruption as the entertainment system must reboot (did I mention its sluggish?).

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  Not as expected - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Chris - April 15 - 7:16 am

  I am disappointed with the MPG. I am averaging 36.3 MPG which isnt far from its original non-hybrid. Honda claims its because I live in Florida and we use the AC year round and that lowers the MPG. Also, the AC doesnt work while the car is sitting idle.

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  I expected much better - 1993 Honda Accord
  By W Cooke - April 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because of its reputation. I was let down. 75k miles when I got it and the ABS pump was shot. $1300 to replace, no thanks. The counter balance shaft belt broke and now it shakes like crazy at idle. Trans vibrates bad between 35 and 50 mph like its trying to shift but cant. Oil leaking at every possible place. Both interior door hanldes broke. CV joints on both sides went this year. The factory radio was the worst thing Ive ever heard. Now, the engine is very strong and burns no oil. The seats are very comfortable. Everything works inside. The style is the best. Still a great looking car.

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  2003 Honda Odyssey - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By rabatson - April 15 - 2:00 am

  The 2003 Honday Odyssey is perfect except for one thing: road noise thru the sliding doors. Ive had my doors checked (the noise thru the passenger door being particularly loud) by the dealership I purchased it from and they say everything is normal. The front passenger often cannot hear a normal conversation in the van due to the noise coming into thru the sliding door behind him. Ive talked to other Odyssey owners and they say its not a problem for them.

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  Great little car - 1994 Honda Civic
  By jeffinsac - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Great little car. Only one problem (clutch master cylinder) in 10 years of ownership. Very reliable. I have the antilock brake option (with 4 wheel disk) and I have yet to replace the original brakes after 107K miles. Could use better front seats and a bit more power under the hood though. Great mileage although has dropped 1-3 mpg the last year.

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  Good Car - But Watch Rear Impact - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Brian - April 14 - 12:03 am

  I actually love my CR-V. I have had it since December. On highway - gets advertised mileage. Around town (with some highway), only about 17MPG (this is the Auto, 2WD model.) One thing that bothers me is there is no rear bumper per se. I was rear ended this week - Nissan Altima doing about 5MPH. Pushed the back of the CR-V in about 1/2". Crushed the trunk (the wheel well under the floor.) When I crawled under it, there really is no bumper. The back of the vehicle is the bumper. I do not like that - this will be a VERY expensive repair bill. Like others have said, road noise is L- O-U-D .... have to turn the radio up to 60% or more to hear it when on the highway.

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  EX-L 6000 miles update (4cyl/5MT) - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Hannibal Mike - April 13 - 3:46 pm

  I traded my 1997 Eclipse Spyder GST convertible (turbo 4 cyl/5MT) for an Accord EX-L sedan (4 cyl/5MT) when I turned 60. Aside from missing the turbos acceleration, Ive preferred the Accords better mileage, handling and comfort. I averaged 34-35 mpg after 6000 miles (~90% highway driving). Lowest mpg was 29 mpg (~50% local driving with A/C); highest mpg was 40 mpg (driving 60 mph w/o A/C on Midwest highways). This Accord is the only large car I found with upscale comfort/amenities and a good manual transmission. The manual transmission lets me control the car better and achieve higher mileage.

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  Buyer Beware - 2004 Honda Insight
  By GregL - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car, IF you live in a flat place with no snow like Arizona or Florida. This car is miserable in snow and very slow on hills (or anytime power is needed). You will note that the people who love this car the most and get the best mileage live in very flat, warm areas. In New Jersey or New York traffic this car is simply dangerous. It is too small to be seen and does not have the suspension or power to handle ruts, potholes, hills, crosswinds, etc. Remember: this car gets most of its efficiency out of extreme light weight and incredibly narrow and hard tires. This combo does not make for a very safe car.

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  1993 Honda Civic Sedan - 1993 Honda Civic
  By burbs - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car. I purchased it for just under three thousand dollars. After some mechanical work it was as good as new. The only thing that really bugs me is the rust around the wheel wells.