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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  Hmmm.... - 2003 Honda Accord
  By M - March 1 - 7:23 am

  Well all Ive heard about it how "great" this car is. I liked it when I first got it, the Navigation has come in very handy; saved me from a lot of arguements! Well, yesterday the brakes, which are pretty new, showed how the perform when really needed.... apparently Im not the only one on here thats complained about the brakes. I had to swerve instead since the car wouldnt slow down and threw it into a spin and broke the back axle when it hit the curb. Not too happy with this car... very unresponsive brake system.

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  1997 SE - 1997 Honda Accord
  By rda - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Fine vehicle, good styling. Somewhat noisy on highway. Fuel economy in city poor. Gets 400 miles to the tankful on highway.

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  The Bigger Honda Accord - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Terri - February 25 - 11:30 am

  I upgraded from a 1999 V6 Accord. The bigger body style does not fit my frame. The window starts too high for you to rest your arm, there is little room for your fingers when you adjust the rear view mirror, console too far right, seat not all that comfortable, too long of a reach to the steering wheel (my shoulders get tired when driving long distances). The sporty feel of driving the car is gone. It handles great, performs great but the inside now feels like a grandpa car. I didnt test drive it enough to notice it at first. I miss the feel of the old car. Bummer. And, they limit how loud the stereo will go! That amazed me.

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  Prelude for life - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By Prelude - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I have owned three preludes and this is the best to date. Good performance, styling, quality. The best of all 5 generations of Preludes combined.

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  Nice car - 1992 Honda Accord
  By rcgus - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle used. I have put 42k on it in 3 years. Its a great reliable car. Only problems have been a cracked distributor, wiper switch is going bad, and the cloth cover over a speaker if falling off. But the car still looks new and drives great. I run this baby until the tire fall off ! 150k plus Im counting on

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  Great Handling but not very quick - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By fishboy - February 21 - 2:00 am

  This car feels like it is on rails going into a turn. It is the best handling car I have ever driven and can do some amazing things even in the rain. The ride is very nice, not jarring. Having driven V8 engined cars exclusively prior to this car I do miss the torque of a strong motor. The 2.2 puts out a lot of power for its size but that power doesnt come on until 5,000 rpm. It is hard to get a good launch off the line because you either spin the tires or you end up waiting for the rpms to hit the vtec range. Not a great straight line vehicle. The engine is very smooth even up the 8,000 rpm fuel cutoff.

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  CRV Review - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By purple88 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  The CRV is great to get around town, but due to its limited engine, highway driving is not as fun.

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  Technology Failure - 2008 Honda Accord
  By sailor14 - February 20 - 6:06 am

  I have the new Accord with all the bells and whistles and what a let down! The cellular system can not do what a Ford Focus does these days - automatically synch a phone book on ANY bluetooth phone, voice dial through the car using the phones voice recognition (Ford, BMW, Lexus, all do!) AND who in their right mind created a car that holds data you can not back-up? There is a CR reader, why not CR-RW- or a place for a chip in the dashboard? It has TWO phone books, the nav system and cellular, and they dont even synch! AND to add insult to injury they have a jack for your iPod but again it is a BASIC audio in - no tunes synching (again a Ford basic) and no display on your dashboard.

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  very good - 1991 Honda Accord
  By guilherme leite - February 20 - 2:00 am

  perfect, the only problem is the the antenna

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  You wont be disappointed with the Pilot - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By cl - February 19 - 1:56 pm

  I chose this vehicle due to the price, comfortable ride, and reliability and power it offers, Im already driving this vehicle for more then 7 month and I donÂ’t think that I could have made a better decision.