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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  Sorry I bought it - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By mk - March 21 - 5:45 pm

  My old Pilot (2007) was perfect, it was powerful, had decent brakes and I averaged 18 mpg, this new Pilot is slow to start slow to stop and eats gas like mad! Looking at all the major reviews I now see Im not the only one who feels this way, my mistake was expecting Honda would only improve the Pilot not ruin it. Now I must live with it for a year, I cant stand seeing that little green light on the dash going out every time I push the gas, the only time it goes on is down hill with a tail wind, its a joke to make people think this SUV is GREEN, its anything but seeing my MPG meter show 16.3 MPG avg.

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  Utility vehicle after all - 2007 Honda Accord
  By smrth_gpt - March 20 - 7:19 pm

  I bought this car brand new. My experience with this vehicle has been as follows - the engine & transmission provide a smooth, powerful and reliable ride. The suspension is awful though - you can feel even the slightest imperfections on the road. The build quality and sound insulation is pathetic - too much road- noise and constant rattling and squeaking from the doors and windows is annoying

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  2004 cr-v - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By tom-cuse - March 18 - 7:30 pm

  Ran great for the first 40,000 miles. Fun to drive, great in the winter (central NY).

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  You will not get your money worth - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Not happy - March 16 - 2:06 pm

  I had to buy new tires after 20 K miles. Honda puts cheap tires on the vehicle (less thread) to get better gas mileage. Also, you will be very disappointed in the mileage. Very poor mileage in the winter.

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  never again - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Richard - March 15 - 8:17 pm

  driving 200 miles round trip to work and needing a car rated with a high mpg i bought the coupe. although it looked sharp the seats were horrible. everyday i would get out of the car with a terrible backache. my wife hated to ride in my car because of it making her back hurt. this was my first and LAST Honda. ive always had Pontiac Bonnibelles and NEVER had a minutes problem. but with Pontiacs longer being in production, Ive traded this coupe in for the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata. it is SO much more comfortable and i dont dread driving to work. never had any problems other than the seats being uncomfortable. Good luck to those of you who bought this car but ill never own another honda.

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  Dont buy a honda with pax system tires - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Paxhater - March 15 - 1:01 pm

  Do not buy Honda. Me and my wife thought we were getting a quality minivan that would last forever, than the nightmare began. We got a blow out on the rear and found out only Honda dealerships could replace these pax tires and it cost about $325 for the one tire. Then after about 15,000 miles the front 2 were bald and those cost about 650. And you have to replace them you cant put any other tires on those rims. They will last maybe 15,000 miles before they are bald and you are forced to drive on snow covered roads with 3 children on bald tires because you cant afford to replace them. And the brakes are garbage and the yolk in the front suspension snapped and is rattling around.

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  Front End - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Ken - March 14 - 7:42 pm

  We are having trouble with our front end the car wants to wander. We aligned it and it still has a wander and will vibrate When the wheel is turned there is resistance in the wheel like something obstructing the turning radius

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  Steering is painful on Expressways - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Paul - March 12 - 10:53 am

  I bought my Fit as a commuter car since I drive on expressways 70 miles per day. Had I known how heavily the FIT steers at any speed over 50 mph, I would have bought another vehicle. When driving in any lane that slopes from left to right or right to left, the car needs constant touches on the wheel to keep it in a straight line. At the same time, the wheel feels as if it is stuck in molasses. The car has 2,000 miles on it at this point. I have owned Fords, Dodges, Toyotas, Cadillacs, Lincolns subcompacts, pickups, vans, sedans and Town Cars and have never driven a vehicle that handled so poorly on the expressway. Driving it is a chore and I doubt I will keep it until it is paid off.

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  Steering issues - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By mgb - March 11 - 7:17 pm

  After steering issues with a CR-V I previously owned, I had some concerns about buying a Pilot but after some test drives and conversations with my dealer, my concerns were alleviated. Big mistake on my part. It just took one experience of accelerating while going up a fairly steep highway hill and trying to change lanes to the right to convince me that my Pilot is dangerous. It floated back toward the original lane I was in on its own accord. Since then Ive noticed that quite often when I accelerate going up a hill, especially coming out of a right turn, it doesnt stick to the road. Hopefully Ill be rid of it before I have to depend on it in an emergency situation.

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  Still Going Strong - 1998 Honda Civic
  By PSUEng - March 9 - 8:33 am

  I wrote a review on this car back in March 2008 after I purchased. I currently have 102,000 miles and this car is still cranking out the miles. Since last August(95,000 miles or so) I had a front passenger axle replaced due to CV boot/joint failure AC system serviced brake system serviced (but no new pads/rotors needed!) over the axle pipe on the exhaust replaced new spark plugs and my oil pan gasket was leaking. All this totaled about $800 parts/labor at my indy mechanic. I may have a front crank seal leaking and the clutch is going, but well see. It burns no oil and has yet to leave me stranded. Started every time this past winter in frigid outside temps. Fantastic little car.