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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  My Accord is NICE! - 1990 Honda Accord
  By admiralshaw - November 13 - 2:00 am

  The Accord is one of the most reliable cars out there! I have about 112 thousand miles on mine and its running beautifully. Granted this gen is a little lacking in power, so I added an intake and exhaust! It runs great now with about 150 hp! Im keeping this car as long as it runs! If yours is falling apart, you probably arent taking care of it.

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  2016 Pilot Elite - great cars, two improvements - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By li so - November 13 - 12:20 am

  Bought 2016 Pilot Elite. Pros: lots of cupholders (that are lit up), lane keep assistance, automatic cruise control. Major selling point: one touch 2nd row in/out (no other manufacturer has this for 3 row SUVs) and spacious 3rd row. Cons/improvements: right turn camera does not exist (in the touring model, there is a camera on the right side mirror that shows on the display when you turn so you can see the blind spot) in the Elite there is a sound indicator but no camera (one would think for the next model up, it would have been included), backup camera only (no 360 view camera) with all the "cameras" and detection in the car one would assume a 360 surround view camera, DVD play works great but one has to use the remote in the back seat - no menu options from front console (have a heck of a time turning on subtitles, hitting the play button, skipping chapters, and theres no memory play) one has to pull the car over and set the dvd to the correct setting before driving or one has screaming kids. (Note: use case is 3 kids, husband and dog)

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  Good car but . . . - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Kendoll - November 12 - 2:00 am

  There is lots of room for improvement. I have the EX model with 15,000 miles on it and I get very poor gas mileage no matter how I drive, (17 mpg). At 61" tall, I barely fit in this car. I have one in black and the paint appears to be very thin and shows swirl marks and scratches easily. I added the aftermarket leather and aftermarket 16" wheels with Bridgestone Dueler tires to make the ride a little bit smoother but it is still rather punishing on the freeways. Overall I think the car is very good but I think the engineers at Honda could have put a little bit more thought into it to make it a really great little SUV.

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  1997 Honda Odyssey - 1997 Honda Odyssey
  By ppatterson - November 11 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in 2000 because new ones were not available. Were sold on Honda products. Undoutbedly, our next vehicle will be a new Odyssey or Pilot. The only problems have been a door actuator and broken engine mount. Have not had any other problems at all with this vehicle. Averaging about 22 mpg on long trips. We typically travel from Atlanta to Indiana or Ohio twice a year with our 2 children. Room is good, power is kind of on the low side.

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  Little dissapointed - 2006 Honda Civic
  By remoteraycer - November 9 - 1:50 pm

  Great style, excellent handling and superb fuel economy. More problems then people told me Honda should have. Glove box replaced due to a rattle. Fuel cap went bad and made the check engine light come on. And now I believe the rf motor mount is failing. This car has more problems then the 99 Taurus I traded in for it.

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  Honda Touring - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Quinton Green - November 9 - 12:40 am

  Overall great car. The one negative is it easy for the paint to chip.

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  dissapointed - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By rob4248 - November 8 - 4:35 pm

  car is disappointing. the rpm is to low when stopped at lite with car in gear, vibrating a lot. also while excellerating between 1000-2000 rpm the car vibrates and moans. it seems like it should be downshifting but is not. it is not there just riding with the cruise on.i test drove 2 different 2015 crvs that were fwd and they were fine. mine is a awd.

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  good truck - 1995 Honda Passport
  By CMcFadden - November 8 - 2:00 am

  My husband purchased this truck brand new and loved it. Have had no problems, now has 86,000 miles. All maintenance done at dealer, including timing mechanism change. Excellent car for teenagers to drive, still going strong after 7 years.

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  Great car for anyone - 1995 Honda Accord
  By dvd - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I got this car when I graduated high school and have driven it for the past 5 years. Its hard to believe that the car is going to turn 8 this year. It has been a great vehicle (though one would expect a bigger pickup in a V6), but it drives much better then the 4 cylinder. Its a good, dependable car that I expect to last another 5 years.

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  Great Car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Don Clark - November 4 - 10:23 pm

  I have had the car 6 month and taken 2 long distance trips. Overall, the car is great. I have has numerous other Hondas and this one is at the toip of the list. I traded an 05 Acura TL for the gas mileage savings. While the Accord is no Acura it is a close relative in terms of quality and comfort. I am averaging 24-25 MPH in town and get close to 32 on the highway. I miss my Acura, but the Accord is a good substitute.