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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  The Best SUV on the road - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Tom Adamski - November 21 - 10:00 am

  The Honda Pilot has the capability to be used as a truck, lots of room. You can put allot of stuff in the SUV and still be able to find it. It rides like a Ca---- and gets great gas mileage, 25 highway for me . My wife and I feel safe while driving this vehicle. Buy one you wont be disappointed. Fraternally, Tom

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  This is the the best SUV ever! - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Meg - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my Pilot very much! The ride is very smooth, the interior is roomy and very user fiendly design. The look is so cool, much better than almost all the SUVs on the market except MDX.

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  Love everything! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By jag-wolf - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Looking for all around best value for Mid-sized ALL WHEEL DRIVE SUV with the BEST Fuel economy...usually around 27 per gallon.

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  fast and smooth - 2003 Honda Accord
  By usmc909 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Very nice, fast, smooth vechicle. Reliable fun to drive. CHicks dig it! Beats getting a BMW with the same features at a more expensive price.

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  Wow... - 2003 Honda Accord
  By LadyKat631 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my new Honda Accord EX Coup for a few days but it is awesome. SO FUN TO DRIVE. I love the sleek design and functional interior.

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  Excellent Car for your Money - 2003 Honda Accord
  By BroHammer Lou - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car since it was released in March of 03, going on 11000 miles. Coming from an S2000, I wanted something that was less noisy, could fit more people, but kept the fun-to- drive factor. I got exactly that in the Accord Coupe 6-speed. Amazing package. Ultra-quiet; while the suspension is "sport-tuned", it doesnt take away from the exceptional level of silence this car exhibits. On local streets, I find myself forgetting to shift, because the car sounds like its idling when running at around 3000 rpm. On the highway, 80 mph sees the tach at a mere 2500 rpm in 6th gear. I totally agree with Edmunds in saying that this car is "deceptively quick".

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  Hondas Winner - 2016 Honda Civic
  By tony j - November 21 - 12:00 am

  Great car with euro styling not a typical boring japanese style of the past models, fun to drive, relatively quiet inside, lots of features even on base LX model. Handsfree blutooth phone connection works well with most phones including older generation LG G2, even budget Blu phones. I like the smaller screen on the LX model and has everything I would need and is easy to navigate plus it has good ole dials for selection and volume control which is what I prefer instead of ackward touch screen volume control on upper models. I am 62" and there is plenty of leg room in front and in back seats. Very good size trunk also. Acceleration is more than plenty with one or two people on board, with four adults however you can feel a slowdown. Blind spot visibility may take a week or so of getting used to due to sloping rear coupe type shape especially if you are coming from more boxy sedan designs. My MPG is roughly around 29mpg but I drive over 90% city and like zippier acceleration more often than not. With Econ mode turned on I tested and was getting 33-34mpg in city which is pretty good. On freeway it can easily do 40-43mpg.

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  Great SUV all around - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By fabjudo - November 20 - 9:39 pm

  I bought the 07 Pilot EX-L RES in May 07. I have put about 12k miles so far and have been very please with the vehicle. Its comfortable, very agile (for an SUV)very surprised with the handling, not that scary feeling on the curves, very roomy. Not as good on gas as I tought but hey its an SUV. The only thing I would have liked is the ability to have both RES and Navi, power front pax seat and memory since both me and my wife drive the vehicle and its kind of anoying having to re- adjust everything, other than that Ill give it a 10 !!

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  Mileage as advertised - 2007 Honda Civic
  By bdpecci - November 20 - 7:10 pm

  I was skeptical of the mileage, but I was getting approximately 40 mpg in the coldest part of the winter and 42 mpg when the temps were in the 40s. Recently the temps were in the 50s - 70s, and Ive been getting 49 mpg. The Civic is my commuter vehicle and I drive 42 miles to work and back each day on country (45 mph) and highway (65 mph). Im in Ohio so its generally flat. I also do not accelerate rapidly.

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  Old mule never dies - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Wayne - November 19 - 7:45 am

  I have a 2005 Honda Pilot with 226,000 miles on it. Had to replace one speed sensor in all this time. Great ride, a lot of room and a great car.