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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  Not So Sure About Honda Anymore - 2003 Honda Accord
  By uthookem - November 9 - 9:14 am

  Bought this used in 2007 with 60, 000 from a Honda dealership. I always noticed that this car didnt have the smoothest downshifting, but other than that, it was great. Im now at 125, 000 and it shifts hard quite a bit. Within the past months on 2 occasions it has refused to accelerate with my foot on the gas, and the check engine and TCS lights immediately come on. After reading many other reviews and complaints about this car, Im sure I know whats about to happen...

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  Good ol car - 2004 Honda Civic
  By minitruckman - November 6 - 3:32 pm

  I bought a civc lx with 120,000 miles on the clock in early 2011. Before recently selling it, it had 155,000 miles on her. Never had a mechanical issues. kept up with the oil changes and brakes and a new set of tires and that was it. I drove it in heavy city traffic and got 31-33 mpg consistently. 5 or 6 mpg more than epa says. Overall, a great commuter car. This car is not comfortable for long 2 1/2 hr. drives, but going 400+ miles on less than 3/4 of a tank of fuel with speeds adveraging between 75-90 mph i couldnt complain!

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  Nice car, pricey, terrible gas millage for the segment. - 2012 Honda Fit
  By famercado - November 4 - 8:32 am

  This is a good and reliable car, with lots of security features, comfortable for its size, looks very good inside and outside (especially steering wheel and rims), reliable and well assembled. I use it to commute from my home to the metro station, and for that purpose is fantastic. On the weekends we use my wifeÂ’s car which is more spacious. The gas millage is horrible for a compact car and considering the price and the trim (sport) it is way under equipped. It is very pricey compared to other brandÂ’s similar cars.

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  First Car - 1998 Honda Accord
  By cosmicbrownies - October 28 - 10:26 pm

  This car was handed down to me in 2009, although its been in the family since 2001. It currently has 175k miles on it. Hoping for many more. Advantages: The build quality is fantastic. The power features still work like new, and everything in the interior has the feel of quality. Even the leather still looks nice. The car is very comfortable and stable on the highway. Steering is tight and suspension is firm. Also has a surprisingly huge trunk. Disadvantage: The notorious auto transmission. Was replaced around 110k, and if this one fails, itll probably be the end of the car. Thats a shame, cause otherwise its been great to me. Just wish it had the manual trans instead.

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  Transmission fails at 93k - 2006 Honda Civic
  By cchlebek - October 27 - 8:19 am

  I purchased this car new in the fall of 06 to enjoy more than double the fuel economy of my pickup truck. I was not disappointed as most tanks averaged in the upper 30s. I was considering a cobalt at the time but went with something that was predicted to hold its value better as I wanted to drive it until it died. It died at just over 90k miles with a bad transmission solenoid. (cost $3k to fix) I just couldnt believe a "reliable Honda" could require a rebuilt transmission with less than 100k miles. Ive been driving the Cruze for almost a year now and the handling in snow is so much more secure than the Civic.

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  Mile after Mile - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By alex33nad - October 25 - 5:13 pm

  This car refuses to stop running. Stick shift is the only way to go. -250K miles -The only reason Ive ever been stranded road side was due to a flat tire. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Typical Honda rust. 2 out of the 5 gears grind a little bit. 2nd and 5th. I would recommend it to anyone. For a 20 year old car with a quarter million miles. It runs like a champ with a chip on its shoulder like it has something to prove every damn day.

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  Titanic with yacht engine - 2012 Honda Crosstour
  By byronebarnes - October 25 - 12:04 am

  Bought this car back in July of 2012. Rides like a 5-series BMW, tight, strong, very smooth. Traction control on car is EXCELLENT. Idiot hit me in rear end very hard, few scrapes on back bumper, very strong car. Great on gas too, the only jab is the power in this car sucks. But if I wanted that, I would have bought a porsche, not a Honda. Even so, it would be nice to have at least 70 more hp in this 4 cycl. For sure when my lease is up, Im getting the 6 cycl. Great car though, 4 REAL size people can sit in this car, and I mean 62" 200 lbs dudes and leave plenty of head and leg room. Cudos to Honda on this car, but please, MORE POWER in 2014.

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  Its a great daily commuter - 2000 Honda Accord
  By annachen239 - October 21 - 10:49 pm

  I bought this car when it was on sale in 2000 it is very realiable but the seats are really uncomfortable and there is a a lot of wind noise and when you are going up hill there is no power at all

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  No more hondas for this family - 2009 Honda Accord
  By chicagotomtom - October 20 - 9:45 pm

  Like many reviews before me on this site, weve owned hondas our whole life, and bought the 2009 V6 Accord based on our the value and reliability that Honda built is reputation on...well, we were thinking about buying the new Pilot to replace our 2002 CRV, but after our poor experience with the quality of our 2009 Accord, its time to try another car manufacturer. Already have the rear disc brakes replaced due as a part of the class action lawsuit, the driver side lumber controls stopped working at 30k miles, and continue to have issues with the battery/starter. I had originally planned to drive the car into the ground like weve done with all our other hondas, but want to sell it now.

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  Makes a great first car. - 1994 Honda Accord
  By josh1189 - October 18 - 1:09 pm

  I bought my 94 Accord EX 4 cyl auto in July 2007, with 91K miles on it, had it for 2.5 years and it was great. A few problems occured, like the A/C went out, I replaced the exhaust sytem, the battery and a couple tires. For a car of its age, I didnt think that was too bad. It ran wonderfully, never broke down and never stalled on me. Finally, though, in November of 2009, the heater core went out, causing a nasty mess of sticky smog to enter the car through the air vents, so I couldnt turn on the heat...during the winter, it was NOT fun. So, since the repair would have cost me over $1,000, I had to sell it. It was just too much. Overall, it was a great car and I highly reccommend it!