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:

• 

  Quintessential Honda Engineering - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Bryan Lienesch - June 16 - 1:23 pm

  The powerful 3.5-liter, V6 engine gives the Pilot as much pickup as any Mid-size SUV out there without hurting fuel economy. A spacious cockpit gives the Pilots pilot roomy comfort whether they are 54" or 68". Functionality lets you flip seats up our down in seconds to meet whatever your demands are. But perhaps best of all, the Pilot rides smooth and is one of the more reliable models from a typically very reliable company. All in all, from its beautiful, edgy body to its fast and reliable engine, the Pilot will give you fun and let you keep it with few snags along the way. Maintain this vehicle religiously and the routine maintenance will be the only shop time it sees!

• 

  Its the Volkswagen Bug of the 1990s! - 1991 Honda Civic
  By Paul W. Routt - June 16 - 12:57 pm

  I bought my 91 Honda Civic DX Hatchback brand new in October 1990. I still own it and have no plans to replace it. Theres absolutely no reason to replace it. The engine and transmission are the originals with over 365,000 miles on them. My car runs as well as it did the first time that I drove it off of the lot. The keys to its longevity are: (1) engineering design, (2) respect for my car, (3) luck, and (4) oil and oil filter changes every 2,000 miles. I get compliments for it all the time.

• 

  Love My Element Except for AC Issue - 2004 Honda Element
  By Melissa - June 16 - 10:09 am

  I love this little SUV...the AWD is grippy when you need it, the performance is okay for what I need (it can get out of its own way at least), the roominess inside can only be described as CAVERNOUS. It is super fun to drive because you can turn it on a dime and put it anywhere...its very responsive for a box on wheels, surprisingly so. It has been reliable and dependable on everyday jaunts and on long trips. The seats, while not cushy, are VERY comfortable, like sitting in a chair rather than in a car. 1000 miles doesnt even fatigue you! One bad thing...AC compressor went at 36K miles and it will cost $1200 to fix (lowest estimate). CR-Vs and Es of these years have been known for this.

• 

  Evil Nasty - 2003 Honda S2000
  By hondacare - June 16 - 10:00 am

  The S2000 is the picture of absolute perfection! There are great lease specials right now!

• 

  I hate this thing! - 2003 Honda Element
  By pwhit - June 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive always liked Hondas, they have a great reputation for quality, but Ive never owned one. I thought this would be a great alternative to a minivan, and for about two days it was. The thing is about 70 percent plastic, and the looks of the interior is driving me crazy after about a month. I thought the exterior look was cutting edge at first, but I see people actually pointing and laughing at it while driving. It really IS stupid looking now that I have to see it in my driveway every day. Im hoping someone will steal it soon.

• 

  Element Radiators - 2003 Honda Element
  By dandy4650 - June 16 - 10:00 am

  Beware - there is no protection for the radiator! Mines already been bashed by road hazards!

• 

  Four Wheel Drive on a Budget - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Squash - June 16 - 10:00 am

  The 03 Honda CRV is a good choice overall,given Hondas well known build quality and high resale value.It is well engineered and has plenty of room especially for this class.However I do notice some cost cutting measures taken. I am disapointed that only the drivers power window switch illuminates at night.I believe the Honda CRV EX is a good value with the features it does include.However if I was considering the CRV 4WD LX model I would give the Subaru Forester 2.5X a serious look.

• 

  My Great Choice - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By warehouse - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I heard about it from my friends and was told to give it a try when looking for my SUV. I tried the RAV 4 but I knew right away when I test drove it, that it was the car to buy. Quiet engine, 5 star saftey, and Hondas rep. for being reliable sold me right there, and then there was the test drive...

• 

  Very Good Choice - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Maher Barsoum - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought the CRV - EX last months and I didnt regret having it. Fun to drive with a lot of room inside. I just expected to see more options in the EX model. The tire size look small on the bigger redesigned 2002 CRV. The sticker says I can have 22 miles per galon in the city, the best I got was 19.5 in the city. Acceleration lags for few seconds when using regular fuel

• 

  wonderful minivan - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By go_getter - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I picked up Odyssey EX-L RES yesterday (5/11/03) and gifted it as Mothers Day gift to my wife on our 1 yr old sons behalf. She loves this minivan. We got an awsome price, thanks to edmund.com and my lot of research on the net. We got this minivan for $2000 less than MSRP in Washington DC metro area. I went to dealer with complete info. (MSRP, Invoice price, tax tags frieght charges etc.) and all printouts so I was able to get all numbers correct from them cuz sometimes they agree on some charge but try to trick you on others. but my dealer was truthful and sincere - hard to beleive! We closed deal in less than 1/2 hour.