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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  A Great Car - 2005 Honda Civic
  By allie9_21 - September 18 - 10:00 am

  I actually purchased my car in July of 2001. Not much of the interior or exterior has changed. I love my car. It has held together very well. You can not tell by any means that it is 3 years old. It has great fuel mileage, very reliable, and excellent in comfort. Everyone always wants to borrow my car.

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  honda van - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By charlie - September 18 - 8:56 am

  I just traded my 07 van. The in town economy is 16 mpg. The road noise was more than my 02 [same van]. Highway economy, great [26 mpg] the van had 6500 miles when traded. Both bought new. Window sticker said 19 mpg in town

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  Excellent Family Sedan - 2008 Honda Accord
  By williamf - September 18 - 7:20 am

  Purchased this vehicle 3 days after it was introduced. Was able to purchase appox $1000 below sticker, even though other dealers in Houston quoted $2K to $3K over sticker. The exterior of the car is a real head turner. The interior is a step up from the previous Accord. It is not lacking in anything, but it is also not extraordinary. It is what it is, a family sedan. I choose this car over a Camry, Aura, and Civic because it has the best combination of reputation, performance, price, and initial quality

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  We love our new minivan!!!! - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By DTW - September 18 - 5:47 am

  Downsized from a 2002 suburban due to poor mpg and costly repairs and wanted something smaller than a boat to drive every day shuttling kids around town but yet still have enough cargo room to haul our stuff to frequent soccer tournaments. We really love our new minivan!! Have two boys - tall teenager and a 10 year old that need lots of leg/head room and the second row seats are WAY MORE comfortable than the suburban since the seats can recline all the way back to third row. The kids actually prefer to take the minivan over the suburban when we go to tournaments!! Cargo space, fuel economy and comfort were tops on my list of must haves for our new car and the Odyssey has them all!!!

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  Nice Compact SUV - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Ravi - September 18 - 4:06 am

  Ive had this CR-V for 4 months with 3500 miles. I have not had one disappointing moment. Im getting 20 mpg in city and 27 mpg on Highway . Im yet to go for the first Oil change / service.

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  Good body, poor shoes - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By nsguy - September 17 - 5:47 pm

  The crv is a top car when you have all the boys toys installed, but the downside I have recently experienced on my less than 22months vehicle is that both my front Yokohama 245/45/19 inch tires had to be changed due to the service dept inspecting the tread and recording the tread at the limit of 1.6 mm. I find this disappointing given that I have done only 13,000 miles from new and no erratic driving. This is too costly.

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  Honda Pilot EXL 2007 Model - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By George - September 17 - 4:46 pm

  Previously owned a 2003 Pilot. We now have the 2007 EXL 2 wheel drive. Excellent vehicle all the way around. Great acceleration, comfort, space and looks. Compared to our previous SUV which was a 4 Runner from Toyota, the Honda Pilot appears to be a more solid vehicle. It gives you a great sense of security.

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  Lemon, will not honor warranty - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By cawood - September 17 - 11:40 am

  Van drives like a truck. Bad front end. New tires did not help. Dealership just makes excuses. Brakes squeak and factory rep and dealership say to read the owners manual and it will say you may have squeaky brakes. They will not correct them. Owners manual comes after the purchase. How dumb is that?

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  2006 Civic EX - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Randy - September 17 - 8:26 am

  The civic has poor visibility, is uncomfortable, and seems to have air conditioning problems which the dealer has been unable to diagnose.

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  Touring w/ our Pilot - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Jerry - September 17 - 3:50 am

  We test drove all comparable SUVs (highlander, enclave, etc...) and found this vehicle a perfect fit for our family of 5. Others may have better gas mileage, and looks good on the outside, but the Pilot drives much better. It feels solid and comfortable w/ enough power even when towing our 21ft boat. Tech gadgets took a little time to learn, but once you get used to it, it becomes second nature, convenient, and fun. I love the back-up camera on the Nav monitor. I now instinctively look for it when I use other cars. This is definitely way better than the minivan it replaced.