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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  Too many squeaks and creaks!!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By LDR Atlanta - March 7 - 10:00 am

  We bought this Odyssey with the hopes of returning to a Japanese made car and limiting trips to the service dept. for oil changes- WRONG! We are taking our van in for the 3rd time today. Weve owned this van for 3 months- this is crazy. The front seat belts squeak and it is loud and VERY annoying. Honda replaced them- but they are squeaking again. We also have a creaking problem in the front suspension. It supposedly was fixed- but now its creaking again. This is such a huge pain and inconvenience. Its a pain to take the car seat out- be without a car, etc...

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  Rock Solid - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Dharvey - March 7 - 10:00 am

  The Accord coupe is good-looking, fun to drive, completely reliable (of course it is-its a Honda) car that gets good gas mileage to boot. My one complaint is the low entry height. Im 62" and its a little awkward getting in to the car. All the pluses more than make up for this, though.

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  Honda Civic Hybrid - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Ceriana - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I love this car for its fuel economy, but my husband finds it impossible to drive as his commute car because he doesnt have enough leg room. Since he drives 45 miles each way, this is very important to him. Hes 511" and 270 lbs. Its very comfortable for me at 54" and 160 lbs. The car has 13k miles on it and we have some rattling starting in the console and theres a very annoying whining from the engine since about 8k miles.

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  Great get around vehicle. - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By gocubbies - March 6 - 5:32 pm

  Great vehicle to get around town in.

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  definitely no loser (a tad expensive tho - 2001 Honda Insight
  By snoodle - March 5 - 10:14 pm

  60 mpg for the past 6000 miles, highest mpg on trips is over 100mpg one-way and in the 80s both ways

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  Good for Commutes - 2001 Honda Insight
  By Yvonne333 - March 4 - 3:53 pm

  All in all, the Insight has done well as a commuter car. I commute 88 miles each day. Gas has been great. According to advertisements, I should be getting between 62 and 68 mpg. Reality-I get on average 58 hwy & 52 city. Warning! I fell into the California clean air trap. According to California DMV, the Insight DOES NOT qualify for carpool status for clean air vehicles. Unfortunately, California made that a rule in 2000 and didnt mention it to dealers still promoting this perk.

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  1993 Honda civic cx - 1993 Honda Civic
  By shootset - March 4 - 1:25 pm

  We really liked this car. You wouldnt believe what we hauled in the back. Bricks, lumber, kitchen table and oh yah a little over a half a ton of flagtone. It was our truck! This car has been very reliable and has exceptional gas milage.

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  Great van with some problems. - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By HN - March 4 - 12:06 am

  Thiss a fun and powerful van with overall nice built quality. Few complaints are: 1) Road noise. Its bad enough that I dont enjoy my CDs during my travel any more so I shut it off. 2) The Hondas "gate logic" transmission which shift down as soon as you lift off the gas. I am sure there is a purpose but its annoying as if shifts down mostly when you dont want it to. 3) Its a 5 speed but you cant shift to 4th gear, like going down a hill where 3rd gear is too low. 4) The famous brake grinding problem that Honda, after a year, still cant figure out how to fix yet. 5) Lots of little noise everywhere in the cabin which I was able to fix myself with felts. Regardless, Ill buy it again.

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  Are you SURE theyre reliable? - 1991 Honda Civic
  By Mirage Convert - March 3 - 12:39 am

  In the last year: $600 Brake job, $500 radiator replacement, $400 exhaust, Hood wont open, water leaks short out tailights, $300 blower fan, $200 broken spring, A/C shot ($600 repair job we declined) and we babied this thing! Finally got rid of it at 115K miles, supposedly mid-aged for a Honda, or so we thought. My 94 Mitsubishi Mirage, spartan as it is, 103K miles, hardly any repairs at all. Dont be fooled by all the Honda hype.

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  What you would expect - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Doug Atkins - March 2 - 10:33 pm

  This is my 5th new Honda. I owned an Accord in 2003 and gave it up when my company offered me a company car in 2007. They gave me a Toyota Camry LE V6. The V6 Camry had loads of power. Got decent gas mileage as well. For some reason, I really missed my 2003 Accord LX (4 cylinder). The Honda was just put together better. I could tell the Camry was a mass production car. The floor carpeting came in several places, some of the plastic molding wasnt fit together very well, etc. Bought a new 2009 Accord EX-L (4 cylinder) to replace it. Fit and finish is superior like a remembered it and everything is laid out within easy reach and makes sense. Relatively noise free, ride is very stiff.