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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  Gas mileage not as good as claimed - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By steve - June 13 - 4:16 am

  Has been a good travel vehicle in. However, is a little on the noisy side. Maybe when it is time to change tires. That will help!

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  coulda, woulda, shoulda! - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By oxygen177 - June 13 - 2:00 am

  Overall, this is an excellent vehicle that I purchased brand new at an excellent price (19500+ttl). I only have 2400 miles on it and already I hear squeaks from the back of my car & the transmission is acting up, this is going in the shop tomorrow. Believe it or not I really wish I had purchased a mazda protege ES, fully loaded you can get this baby at 15k it is very peppy and has lots of power upfront. I do love my prelude though, the sunroof makes it perfect. have fun with this baby

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  Great Value / Solid Buy - 2005 Honda Civic
  By David Cole - June 12 - 4:56 pm

  This is not the first Honda we have owned. With Acuras and Hondas in the past this model lives up to the best our Hondas reputation. While slightly underpowered, a fair amount of road noise and seats that could go abit further back as the negatives still the positives overwhelm. Price, features, MPG, realibility cannot be beat.

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  prelude review - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By ron page - June 12 - 2:00 am

  we love the prelude, fun to drive. sporty, and also has very good performance....

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  Best car I have owned. - 1991 Honda Prelude
  By Alexander Martis - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I found this one in excellent conditions. It has been very reliable. I have had three cars, a Ford, a Nissan and this one. The Nissan Sentra was brand new and it was a nightmare almost from the moment I bought it !!! Once I test drove the Prelude, I knew from that moment that it is real car !!! With proper maintenance it will run practically forever.

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  Great Car - 1993 Honda Civic
  By ransome22 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  In 1996 I could not get this car to start after having owned it for 2 years. Turned out to be carbon build up, to which I thought the car might be over-sensitive. Other than that, its great. -- My car has been on a ferry in the Gulf of Mexico, crossed the West Texas desert, taken me to Washington, DC, braved Manhattans rush hour, ventured to northern Quebec in March, plowed through a snowstorm in Maine, visited the Branch Davidian compound, and provided a makeshift camper for road trips. A very solid car with few worries. However, I highly recommend some high RPM freeway driving to occasionally burn out the carbon buildup.

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  1997 Honda Accord SE - 1997 Honda Accord
  By KKBama - June 11 - 2:00 am

  This Accord was my very first car and is an excellent first car for any high schooler. Its cute and sporty while still being practical and functional, especially on the gas mileage. I bought it at 29,000 and the only problems have been mostly small ones-- the power windows are sometimes slow, the A/C and defogging are sometimes flaky and I also have "phantom locks"-- whenever I lock my car, manually or by remote, the locks continue to make a sound as though they are locking. But I have never had a major problem with my Accord and I always feel safe in it.

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  A Pretty Good Value - 1997 Honda Accord
  By santaman58 - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Our 7th Honda. Overall, we are happy except for the drivers side power window failure that we experienced. Seems many others have the same problem. More road noise than I would like, but the overall value is still good and the dependability is good also. Drive power is adequate and comfort is good. Nice styling, except for the fabric covered side armrest, they would be better in a more cleanable material. Hopefully all these items will be corrected when we purchase our 8th Honda.

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  satisfyed - 2003 Honda Accord
  By josefa - June 11 - 2:00 am

  over all exelent car for its class

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  No Rear Brakes - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Loyal Honda Guy - June 9 - 10:23 am

  Good handling - solid performance - everything that you would expect from a Honda - my two sons are over 6 feet tall and there is plenty of leg room in the rear. And of course great gas mileage - however, watch out for the rear brakes on this car - I just had the car in for a 15,000 mile service and only had 5% left on the rear brakes - the mechanic told me the brake pad is a 1 inch by 1 inch pad that wears out every 12k-15k miles - Honda claims they are aware of the problem but no recall or service warranty issued by Honda yet? That is why I got rid of my Suburban - undersized brakes for the car - now it seems I have the same problem with a Honda??? Unheard of.