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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  Civic SI -Solid - 1993 Honda Civic
  By amistad - March 25 - 2:00 am

  My 1993 Honda Civic SI has been quite reliable, except foran ignitior problem in Florida, Cv Boots(65000), Muffler(two)-Ohio SALT Trucks, also the distrubutor(110,000) was replaced in Florida.All in all maintenance has been infrequent. Top Speed is almost scary for a lighter car! 115+ MPH

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  Some thoughts.... - 2002 Honda Civic
  By paul - March 24 - 5:46 pm

  The Civic is of course a very popular car. We see them on the road all the time. There is a reason for this. They are just good cars that do everything pretty well. Are there similar priced cars with more horsepower? Yes. Are there similar priced cars with rear disc brakes??? Sure. But I find that this car is as close as a economy car gets to not really feeling like an economy car. With a manual trans you can work the engine a bit which like most hondas is weak on the low end but better in the higher revs. Suits my style of driving fine which is a bit more spirited than average. Was mad about the crap Firestones that were OE but changed them to Bf Goodrich Traction TAs - big improvement!

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  check it out thoroughly before buying - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By slow learner - March 23 - 11:06 am

  We got our Odyssey less than two weeks ago, so were still learning about it. My wife loves it - she wanted a mini-van - whereas another Camry would have been my first pick. Theres a wind noise on the passenger side - we didnt test drive this car - it was located for us. With the radio on, its not noticeable, but otherwise, it is (maybe that can be fixed?) I did the test driving and never used the passenger seat - now I see that my left knee is on the dash - the seat doesnt go back far. Lastly, the radio controls are pretty far from the driver - need an extended reach to use them. We got 23 mpg (mostly highway driving) on our first tank of gas. My wife loves driving this van -

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  Honda problems - 2000 Honda Accord
  By b.young - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Honda. I have had excellent luck with my last honda. I went in to the dealer becuase my check engine light went on and strange sounds from the engine. They found that my a/c pully was broken. 1 month waiting for the part the dealer takes the car for an estimated 2 days. 7 days later they tell my that I need a new alternator and that there is a crack in the tranny casing.The next day my check engine light I go back in to find my fuel injectors failing. They dump in cleaner and if the light goes on again they will replace my injectors. I am $2500 in the hole and more pending. also, my leather is ripping and a lot of rock chips.

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  Excellent Bore - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Orlando Civic Driver - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Great fuel economy, ultra high reliabilty. Good interior room. Great all around car. But why does it have to look soo damn boooring?!? Is it a Civic? Accord?? Camry?? Corolla?? I cant tell. They all look like they came out of the same cookie cutter. The Civic is more like a Maytag refrigerator on wheels. It runs forever on almost no fuel, but how often do you say "Man, thats a cool looking refrigerator!"?

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  So far so good... - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By David - March 22 - 3:26 pm

  Took delivery of a 2005 EXL about 10 days ago. Initial impressions are very good with only a few gripes on this vehicle. The Pilot drives very much like a large car with little of the vague handling you might find with the more common body on frame type SUVs. Power is close to best in class, though torque data would suggest this isnt the SUV to buy if you plan to tow much and there is no hitch installed as standard. Overall styling in and out is a bit bland but can be helped with some of the dealer installed body options. Biggest issue I have is the large and heavy tailgate which opens very quickly and can be a bit of a handful to close. Overall I am very happy with this car.

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  Honda V6 Coupe - 2003 Honda Accord
  By James - March 22 - 5:16 am

  I love my V6 Honda coupe. It has the power to get you out of the way of traffic. The front of the car has plenty of room for two. I love the car because it is sporty and stylish. This car gets good fuel milage and has the look that turns heads. I cant tell you how many people have told me they love my car.

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  Honda Woes - 2005 Honda Civic
  By bobr - March 22 - 12:16 am

  I bought this Hybrid only becaue I thought the Toyota Prius was ugly. Well I had it for a few months and I like it. I received a recall letter from Honda claiming the hybrids computer software was defective and needed to be updated. I took it to my dealer and when they applied the update the computer crashed. My hybrid has been dead at the dealer for 15 days now while I wait for Honda to locate a replacement computer. I consider this service unacceptable and I feel that Honda should have shipped a new computer to my dealer immediately after then found out a new car they sold was dead due to a recall "fix". I should have bought the Prius. I am very disappointed with Hondas lack of concern.

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  04 Element - 2004 Honda Element
  By John Heim - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I was skeptical at first, but I bought the Element anyway. It is a unique looking vehicle as well as a joy to drive. It pulls my 4 wheeler on a trailer as well as my small pontoon boat. I have the 4wd version, this helps to get the boat out of the water. Nevertheless it has plenty of power. My Element has never let me down.

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  Civic just keeps on chugging! - 1993 Honda Civic
  By DallasKen - March 21 - 2:00 am

  This is a vehicle I never thought Id enjoy driving. I gave up my commuter car a year ago, bought my wife a new car, and inherited her Civic grudgingly. However, it grew on me... its spartanly comfortable, gets great gas mileage, drives and handles well. Although not powerful, the light weight of the car and spritely engine give it acceptable punch at expressway speeds. I compare the driving of a 1993 Civic to that of an imagined (although soon to be a reality) 1-series BMW!