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:

• 

  If only the seat were more comfortable! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Scott - December 7 - 5:56 am

  7000 miles on it since September, 2006. For travel convenience, space, interior flexibility, and features its a perfect 10. It handles well, has good power, and lots of cool features. So far, perfect Honda reliability. The kids can climb in without help and play Nintendo on the DVD player. The worst thing is front seat comfort, with not enough thigh support and a seat doesnt go back far enough. Temp guage and odo cant be seen together. Dash contols like rear AC system can be confusing. 28 mpg is a lie! We get 21mpg on highway at 75mph. DVD screen rattles/squeaks when down. Nav system boots up slow and repeat disclaimer a nuisance. Rear visibility not great, but rear camera helps.

• 

  Mixed Blessing - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Gohybrid - December 6 - 10:00 am

  HCH is peppy & responsive. CVT is much smoother than regular auto transm. Handles well on curves & highway. Brakes are right there. Actual mileage lower than expected (37-40 mpg, mixed suburban driving). Bumps on steering wheel (@10 & 2 oclock), plus its thickness & wide ribbing, interfere with hand placement for small-to-average womans hand. Even with seat cranked up, rear visibility is poor (Im 5-5"). Seat is uncomfortable on long trips. Passenger wipers sweep into drivers visual field has effect of narrowing view & is disturbing; transm. sticks chrome plate reflects sun glare into drivers eyes- a driving hazard. Exterior finish scratches easily.

• 

  Nice car, but some drawbacks - 2007 Honda Accord
  By dknight211 - December 5 - 5:46 am

  I purchased a 2007 Honda Accord Coupe LX V6 based on Hondas reputation for reliability and the good looking coupe. Its a strong car, but have discovered quite a few issues: (1) at 300 miles on the odometer, something inside the dash started rattling loudly, (2) when driving slowly (5 - 10 mph), the automatic transmission keeps jerking with a noticeable thud up and down, (3) the suspension is very rigid and you can feel all the bumps, and (4) seats are a bit uncomfortable. The jerky transmission makes me a bit worried that it will fail in a couple years.

• 

  7.5 - 2005 Honda Accord
  By babak khoda - December 5 - 3:50 am

  its a great car for an older person trying to look young, but for an enthusaist it falls short when it comes to proformance. the car doesnt bring the driver confidence and mores has really bad understeer when cornering hard. the car is fast though, in a srait line its a lot of fun but arounds turns im constantly afraid i might understeer and crash. the interior is nice and so is the outside.

• 

  Average - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By CoolDude - December 4 - 10:00 am

  1. There is not enough legroom for the third seat. Even the second row does not move forward so to adjust the legrooms between 2nd and third seats 2. The wheel base is not so wide which is essential for SUVs whose Center of gravity is generally eccentric. 3. There should be heated seats 4. Front passanger seat should be automatic 5. The vehicle should have Trip computer 6. Very very expensive (Dealer was asking $500.00 more than MSRP) 7. Dealer negotiatation is a pain. It is too much for a new SUV which is yet to prove itself on the SUV race. 8. The left foot rest location is under the parking brake making you

• 

  Loud ride - 2002 Honda Civic
  By lindsay - December 4 - 10:00 am

  When looking for an affordable, fun to drive car that gets great mileage, this is your car. Ive put 18000 miles on in 8 months commuting to work with no problems. Although I do like this LX, I find it clunky going through the gears and lacking the kind of power I enjoy off the line. There is alot of road noise and ticking sounds coming from behind the dash and God knows where else. Honda should pay more attention to making a tight car.

• 

  2006 odyssey with R&N - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By keny - December 3 - 10:56 am

  We love the van, only have about 400 miles on it so far. Just thought we can offer some opinion on the van for future buyers. First of all, for serious matter, the brakes make low noises at low speed; in addition, the pedals vibrate for about 2 seconds. Just spoke to authorized honda advisor, appearantly, it is a known problem and they dont have a fix to it. Said it is normal. Furtunately, she said it wont damage the van. She also has a honda accord and experienced the same problem. I was also told that the van will make the same noises when it is on reverse. LOL. But overall, we still love this van for its design, quality and reliability.

• 

  What a move fro a low riding sports car to an SUV - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Stephanie M - December 2 - 8:37 am

  I had owned a sports car for almost 10 years but as my 66th birthday loomed it was getting harder and harder to get out without difficulty. My son, who is an avid Honda fan and owner, had done his homework and highly recommended this model for me. It was love at first ride....so much easier to get in & out of and I was surprised that, even though it was beefier than my Mazda, it takes up less space in my garage. New rides always take a while to get used to but so far Im enjoying every moment. My small dog always loved to stand between the seats with her front feet on the console. Now she feels like a queen so high up. I was worried about her scratching the leather console but a neoprene sleeve fits perfect over the lid. Looking forward to many adventures in my new HR-V

• 

  Nice car, missing mini-extras - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Kathy - December 1 - 3:06 pm

  I traded in my 2004 Lincoln LS for this car and waited two months before writing this review to be fair. This car has a little better mileage than my LS and not require premium gas like my LS. Missing some of the little things that would make this car really special.

• 

  Honda Accord 06 - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Mark Moye - November 30 - 1:25 pm

  Great car. Good on gas. Bought it at 92,000 miles. Have 125,000 miles on it now and just replaced the timing belt and fan belt. Should get another 90,000 miles out of it. I deliver pizzas in it and it is excellent on gas. Synthetic oil only i use every 4,000 miles. Great car!!!