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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  excellent car - 2012 Honda Civic
  By edlchiang1962 - December 19 - 6:04 pm

  My wife and I purchased our EX sedan 4.5 months ago and we currently have 8500 mile on it. We both love the car. It drives well, it is quieter than our previous Hondas, and the fuel economy is excellent. It is true that the interior has suffered from cost-cutting such as the dashboard, carpet, and roof liner. However, I really dont touch the roof liner, our all season floor mats cover up the carpet, and even though the dashboard is all hard plastic it still looks o.k. to me. The stereo sounds pretty good and the bluetooth phone connection is great. I am very impressed with all the safety equipment that it has and the fact that it has great crash test results.

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  Love My New Civic! - 2012 Honda Civic
  By drewdiddy - December 17 - 6:05 pm

  Okay, so its a little premature to write a review about a car Ive owned for 6 hours, and 50 miles. However this is my fifth Civic and Im loving what Ive seen so far. The technology is awesome, the mileage has been outstanding, and to be able to see your actual mpg improve by my method of driving, and using the ECON button is short of a incredible. Ive owned a 1989 Civic, 1993 Civic Coupe, 2004 Civic Coupe, and most recently acquired my moms 1996 Civic sedan.

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  Great little suv but not a true suv - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By lillukas - December 17 - 12:01 pm

  I bought my car 2 years ago with 104k and now have 144k and really havent had any problems with it..just replaced tires and radiator..i needed something bigger for work and this suv was perfect..plenty of room inside..fit 5 ppl often in the car..awd works very well in all conditions, and is quite fun on a little bit of offroading..but you have to be careful with that.. its awd is good but its not 4WD..i didnt have success on the sand but havent tried it often..mpg are about 25mpg combined..my only complain with the car is that the engine is just too weak..yes its why it gets good mpgs but only 146 hp and 133lb ft..its peppy but just needed more power..but honestly its just so practical

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  From 2011 Pilot to VW back to 2012 Pilot - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By pa350z2006 - December 16 - 1:25 pm

  I have only had my 2012 Pilot EX-L 4WD for 1,000 miles but felt compelled to write a review since I had owned a 2011. I left the 2011 because the car was just too loud with road noise as I found myself turning up the radio to drown out the noise. I went to a VW and have to say that car was a very nicely built car, but the ride was just punishing, it had more of a sport suspension. I came back to the Pilot and it feels good to be in a smooth riding car. They really did address the issues for 2012, at least some of them. The noise level is down quite a bit from the 2011 model and they fixed the messy center stack of controls.

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  Not for everyone, but it is for me! - 2003 Honda S2000
  By revs29 - December 12 - 2:52 pm

  I have wanted an S2000 for several years and finally purchased one last spring. Owning the car is a little different than I had imagined, but not in a bad way. PROS: the car is absolutely thrilling, extremely direct/controllable with a perfect transmission and exciting 9000RPM engine. Great MPG (25-28), outstanding handling, very fun and agile. Makes every shopping trip feel like an adventure. It is a very special, hand built car and feels like it through and through. CONS: Terrible highway car - loud, obnoxious and buzzy. Very tight on the inside, feels great on a curvy road but not on the freeway. Burns 1qt oil/1.5k mi, but I drive it hard.

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  Good value but some serious drawbacks - 2005 Honda Civic
  By smore - December 12 - 4:24 am

  HEAT SUX (yes thermostat has been replaced with high temp). If you live in a cold climate avoid this car. This car is loud too, it picks up an unnecessary amount of road noise. Otherwise its a great car with great mileage and very reliable. The interior is very loud t

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  Nearly the Perfect Car - Beware of the Exterior Paint - 2007 Honda Civic
  By tommyboy23 - December 11 - 8:22 pm

  I bought my Fiji Blue Pearl Civic SI sedan brand new with 8 miles on it. After 5 years and 50,000 miles, Im still happy with my purchase, but I have had two major issues to deal with (see below). Both issues have been handled to my satisfaction by Honda, but I didnt expect either problem from a Honda product. Having said that, this is probably the most reliable sporty car on the market today. Im constantly asked "are you sure this car only has 4 cylinders?". Its probably the best sounding 4 cylinder on the market today. Honda also copied a lot of interior features from BMW, which makes it feel more upscale. A small mix of interior components, however, feel cheap and out of place.

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  2006 honda pilot LX 4WD - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By joeking79 - December 11 - 6:00 pm

  I purchase my suv brand new...After putting 76k miles the car still drives really good. Just the regular maintenance and havent have any problems. I notice a few a bad reviews about the SUV. Would it be possible that previous owner did a bad job on maintenance. I always follow the maintenance minder which saves me a lot of money. Sometimes dealership want you offer all this extra maintenance which does not require you to do it. I used to drive a X5 but the maintenance and gas killed me. I have no kids but i always enjoy driving SUV. A friend of mine drives a 2006 LEXUS GX470. I still like the ride on my awesome PILOT.

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  Good Value - 2010 Honda Civic
  By lizdriver123 - December 8 - 11:37 pm

  OK. so do I like my Civic, and it is a great car for the value (but there are a couple issues). Had it for a year, 16,000 miles, yet to have a break down or major repair. Tune up here and there, and thats it. Great for city and highway driving, great gas mileage. Pretty comfortable. I am short and small, but my dad who is 62" can fit in the drivers seat and passengers seat comfortably for long trips. The but: winter driving. Even with top notch snow tires (and yes, for the record I am a capable driver in the snow), I had one or two close calls and am now looking for an AWD vehicle. This car is not even slightly equipped for the snow.

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  Hands down the worst car Ive ever driven in the snow - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By mattpotvin - December 8 - 3:01 pm

  The Pilot was great to me. Super reliable, and I only ever had one problem outside of routine maintenance, a rear HVAC blower motor went out, which was replaced under Honda Care for no charge. I selected the FWD model after getting a CPO mouse infested 4WD model from a dealer. They upgraded me to Leather and Rear Entertainment. We average under 40" of snow here, so I didnt think anything of the lack of 4WD. Until the first day I had to drive in snow. Even with Michelin Xice 2 snow tires, I couldnt make it over small bridges, crossing a single lane train track. Cars with all seasons drove right past me. Id slide backward down the hill. Bit better w/ traction control turned off.