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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  This is a Honda? - 2003 Honda Accord
  By AnonymousAccordDrive - November 23 - 2:00 am

  It seems Honda put all their R&D into the sedan and ignored the coupe. Problems Ive seen include bubbling side window trim, interior rattles, and random hard starting engine with plausible deniability from Honda (my money thinks Honda knows about the problem, but would go lose too much recalling that many vehicles. No way they wouldnt know would some many vocal drivers complaining about the same issue.) And to boot, this NEW car came with a unbalanced tire that loved pulling the car to either direction, To their credit, the car is fast, feels luxurious, and is priced very competitively. Steering feels good, but car feels heavy during quick turns.

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  Honest Pilot Review - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By akabob - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Well my wife got her PILOT. OK 34K$ for a honda, but thats what she wanted. Sure its a nice well made SUV, but 34K$ It rides nice and soft, turns nice, breaks are OK, engine has a lack of low end, ok after you hit 25mph. Basicly a large 4x4 mini van. My new 2003 5.4 expedition gets the same mpg go figure.

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  Honest Pilot Review - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By akaabob - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Well my wife got her PILOT. OK 34K$ for a honda, but thats what she wanted. Sure its a nice well made SUV, but 34K$ It rides nice and soft, turns nice, breaks are OK, engine has a lack of low end, ok after you hit 25mph. Basicly a large 4x4 mini van. My new 2003 5.4 expedition gets the same mpg go figure.

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  CRV - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By rbsomm - November 20 - 11:30 am

  I traded in my 06 civic for the 08 CR-V. I am not thrilled with the city gas mileage. Highway is averaging around 28. I thought I would get around 30 overall! It does not have any get up and go like my civic had. The arm rests are too short and uncomfortable. There is not enough storage space that is useful, no place to put CD,s. The seats are kinda hard and not comfortable on the back. My daughter had rhinestones on her jeans and it left some snags in the seat material. That made me very upset. I have to admit I like the room in it, the overall style and it does ride well. It is fun to drive, just not the most comfortable. I wish they would have offered the Navi system in LX

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  2004 Accord DX - an outstanding value - 2004 Honda Accord
  By redherring - November 18 - 10:00 am

  After recently comparing various cars, I was surprised to find what an outstanding value the Accord in the DX trim turned out to be. I originaly intended to buy either the Mazda6 or the Toyota Camry, but after test driving those models I decided to check out the Accord. While the base DX is somewhat spartan with some of the luxury items as compared to the Mazda or Toyota, it was also thousands of dollars less, and had a much more solid feel than the competition.

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  2k2 4dr automatic Honda comments - 2002 Honda Civic
  By james Carr - November 18 - 8:10 am

  Never been back to the dealer. Had no reason to do so.

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  CRV finally won me over - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Stew - November 17 - 11:46 am

  In years past, when ever I checked out the CRV, it lost to the Subaru Outback in many areas. However, the 2017 CRV Touring AWD made me switch. At first, I was skeptical of even giving it the once-over, considering the "small" 1.5L turbo engine. I was more than a bit surprised at the excellent performance of this engine, whether on the interstate or traversing the mountains of Vermont. This engine is terrific and you will not want for power. The CRV drives well and is comfortable. My steep off road test seemed to be on par with the symetrical all wheel dirve Subaru, which also surprised me - but winter will be the final test. My gas mileage is about 30 around town and around 34 on the highway. The CRV also seems quieter than my Outback. I had a couple of interesting options installed on my Touring CRV - the sport bumpers and the large body side mouldings. These options give the CRV a much more muscular look. My only real complaint is the itsy-bitsy gas tank - it could use another 4 gallons. Jeepers, Honda ... cant you find a spot for another four gallons? I guess I should also mention the funky two-tier storage arrangement behind the rear seat - what is up with that? I guess it is because of the design of the rear seat - when it folds down, it was at a different elevation (higher) that the storage area, so Honda made it so you could raise the storage floor to be at the same elevation as the folded seat.

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  My Fit fits - 2012 Honda Fit
  By Leon Nielsen - November 17 - 9:57 am

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  Great Minivan....but, needs better MPG - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By sdb - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I surpised my wife with the EX-L w/ DVD for our 6th anniversary. She loves it. Its fun to drive, great acceleration, roomy, fits in my garage, and the kids are SILENT when the DVD is playing in the back. We love it! One suggestion...the city mpg is horrible. I wouldnt think shed have to fill the tank once a week, but she does.

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  Love my Element - 2005 Honda Element
  By Terry Mull - November 15 - 1:10 am

  Great, affordable and useful vehicle. I needed a versatile car that could haul my hang glider and still cart my family around during the week and me to work. This car does it all.