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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  I LOVE MY CAR - 2004 Honda Accord
  By KEN PATTERSON - February 14 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS AN EXCELLENT CAR. FINEST CAR MADE ON AMERICAN SOIL. I LIKE IT ALOT

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  2004 ACCORD - 2004 Honda Accord
  By PAUL BAMBACH - February 14 - 10:00 am

  THE 2004 ACCORD IS BY FAR AND AWAY THE BEST SEDAN ON THE ROAD. VERY PLEASED

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  Gas Mileage - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Emaas - February 14 - 4:56 am

  Overall a great truck. Im a contractor, home inspector and it works great for what I do. I have over 6K miles on the truck and I havent see any thing close the 16-21 gas mileage ratings.

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  Loving The Pilot - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By novol - February 13 - 5:24 pm

  We recently traded in a Volvo XC90 for the Pilot and are loving it. The interior is quite spacious and having a third row seat is a wonderful convenience. The interior integrity compared to other makes we looked at does not compare. I think we will keep this car for awhile.

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  Sad Day For Me! - 1995 Honda Accord
  By djohns - February 13 - 10:18 am

  I purchased this 95 in 1998 with 35k miles on it. Today (2/13/08)is my final day of ownership (going to the salvage yard) 205k miles and the timing belt/water pump came apart while wife was driving full road speed, so the valves are probably bent/shot. I had replaced timing belt and pump at 160k, so they failed before their time! Car value not worth fixing the damage, plus other things were needing repair also. Loved the car!

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  Great Truck ! - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By B Chase - February 13 - 10:09 am

  Use the truck to pull recreational vehicles. Works great. Drives like a nice car on the freeways. Has many great features in the interior and exterior. Best all around vehicle i have ever had !

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  On Noise and Stability - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Al - February 13 - 4:26 am

  I put 1400 miles on it in 3 months. So far I am very happy with it. Compared with other subcompacts and compact cars, Fit is very quiet and stable. The engine buzzes when its speed hits 80 mph and above, instead of 75 mph, as reported by Edmunds editors. I am comfortable with that since I seldom drive faster than 75. I found it runs very stable and well under my control even at 85 mph. Many compacts might be like floating in the air when you hit this speed.

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  The 100 mile per gallon car is here - 2000 Honda Insight
  By atlaw4u - February 12 - 5:39 pm

  As you probably know Honda did not make many Insights so I was unable to locate one locally and had to purchase one from another state and shipped home. The car has performed as expected which means giving up a few creature comforts such as ride quality and a little more road noise and gaining incredible mileage. If you drive this car like any other you can easily obtain the EPA estimates of 60 mpg. However, applying the hypermiling techniques you can easily achieve 80, 90 and yes, 100 MPG. I am averaging over 800 miles between fill ups of my 10 gallon gas tank. For ultimate MPG you need the 5 speed because the manual achieves better mileage than the auto due to operation of lean burn.

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  Still love my Pilot after 6 months - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By misswater - February 12 - 5:36 pm

  This is a great SUV, more comfortable than 2004 Toyota Highlander. I made right choice.

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  Best Honda ever in the world - 1990 Honda Civic
  By mimichar - February 12 - 5:07 pm

  Bought my Civic new, still love it after 252K miles. Nothing but routine maintenance and replacement of parts you would expect after that much mileage! Mostly city and highway driving.