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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  Happy So Far - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By photo49 - December 7 - 3:16 pm

  After driving a small Audi for 3 years I decided to go back to an SUV. I wanted three row seating, 4 wheel drive, good handling, and decent gas mileage. I had ruled out the 2011 Pilot because I had read so many complaints about road noise, which I hate. However, when I read that this issue had been addressed in the 2012 model, it moved it back to the top of my list. Ive had it for 6 weeks and have driven 4,000 miles. Its pretty quiet (for an SUV), it handles well both on and off paved roads, its comfortable, storage is great, and it gets about 21 mpg in mostly highway driving. Acceleration is a little pokey and braking distances a bit long, but overall Im really happy with my Pilot.

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  2003 Honda Accord EX V6 4dr - 2003 Honda Accord
  By hollandsc - December 7 - 11:32 am

  Background: original owner, 148k miles, new transaxle @ 45k, new output shaft oil seal @ 145k, new struts @ 145k, and every warning light that could have come on has come on. I need to mention that it has been in four wrecks – all due to being hit from behind while stopped. With this said, I do all repair work myself on this car and all of my other cars. This Honda is a little “touchy” because of the number of sensors. This is good or bad good if you fix the issue because the car knows if there is an issue or bad if you want to ignore the problem and don’t want to know about it. Parts are readily available, cheep & the car is easy to fix. No matter the car (I have had just about every

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  Trunk is leaking - 2012 Honda Accord
  By michael161 - December 4 - 11:54 pm

  My car is two month old, 5000 miles, so far I have water leak in the trunk during rain (brand new car) and some strange clinking noise when I drive on not so smooth road. I had some strange noises in my Toyota Camry 2006 too, but I was able to drive over 200k miles with that car without problem doing just regular service, may be my new Accord will last same number of miles also without problemsÂ… Who knows? I hope my dealer will figure out (eventualy) what is wrong with my carÂ’s trunk and Honda warranty will pay for repairs.

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  105000 miles and still loving it - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By idg914 - November 28 - 5:55 pm

  I bought this CR-V and I dont regret it one bit! At 65000 miles, the AC compressor blew up, I had been warned this might happen with this particular model. My dealer replaced the entire AC system under warranty with no problems after that. 100,000 miles rolled on by and I have never had any issues, mechanical or other with this car. The sunroof is still smooth, no rattles or noises, still solid and smooth. I do wish the seats were more supportive, but that is just about my only complaint. Im looking to upgrade to a new car next year, and Im looking forward to the 2012 model.

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  Even in 2011, still a great car. - 1998 Honda Civic
  By md1032 - November 23 - 9:56 pm

  At this point I am passing my 1998 Civic with 218k miles to my younger sibling since I bought a newer Japanese car. This car has been really good to us. We owned a 96 LX sedan, but that was totaled by a woman, so we bought a 97 LX sedan, which was also totaled by a woman some years later. That brings us to our current Civic, a 98 DX, Ive put about 80k on it. All are 5-speeds and I can tell you that all three have basically driven identically. If youre looking for a really cheap car that gets decent mileage, you can get one of these for next to nothing and you probably wont regret it at all. Its a great car, and very reliable (assuming you avoid the auto tranny...its a Honda).

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  37.2 mpg!!! - 2012 Honda Fit
  By crappycorolla - November 22 - 7:29 pm

  I had read they got great gas mileage and they do! It doesnt feel as small as it looks. Its fairly comfortable, but crowded with 5 people in it. It doesnt have a lot of power for fast excelleration. The stereo is nice, I like that some stations say what song is on on this radio. I wish there was an outsie temperature gauge. I couldnt have got into a dependable car for less. I had been trying to decide between a Kia and Fit and heard at work someones Kia stopped running the first week! There is more room behind the back seats than you would think, we put 250 of food and 50lbs dog food.The brakes work better than any car Ive owned. Visability is amazing!

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  My New Civic EX - 2012 Honda Civic
  By pantera1014 - November 22 - 12:43 am

  Just got it! Fresh out of the box with 12 miles on it. I am replacing the wifes 2000 Accord that she totaled last week. I am a Honda guy and a Michelin man. It is a beautiful car, and has everything we need except for XM, though we can stream it through BT audio from our Droids. Continental tires suck, but just put Michelin Primacys on it at 101 miles. Crazy expenditure?! Not for my wife! Result: Like night and day! I am all Honda and am pissed about CR reviews, but bucked the trend. This IS a Honda. The iMid is fun, stereo sounds decent, seats (cloth) are excellent. Paint is beautiful. Not fast, but trying to keep up with the Priuss, no batteries! Scrap Conti tires you will will enjoy!

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  Seats are the worst! - 2007 Honda Accord
  By clusterliver - November 20 - 8:33 pm

  An otherwise very nice car is spoiled by seats that are hard as rocks. The seatbacks felt as though they were convex rather than concave making me feel as though there was a fist in my back all the time. I bought the car in 2011 with 17,000 miles on it and sold it 8 months later after putting just 4200 miles on it. I preferred to drive the car that the Honda was to replace - an 03 Saab with 121K miles.

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  Tires and oil use - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By david1237 - November 15 - 9:27 am

  I have 54,000 mi on a 2009 CRV we bought new. I am happy overall with the vehicle. Get 24 mph running around and have gotten as high as 30-31 mph long trip babying it! I seem to use a quart of oil Mobil synthetic every 2000 mi or so! The dealer says anything over a quart every 1000 mi is within normal limits. The Tires that came on the vehicle are "crap". I changed them at 28,000 mi and they were nearly bald. Could have been changed several thousand miles earlier. I generally keep the vehicles for 200,000 miles. I change the oil at 15% averaging every 10,000 miles or so! A little scary, but this is OK with the dealer. I do feel better using synthetic and have used since the first oil change

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  Faithful Fiji Chariot - 2007 Honda Civic
  By 96xlsnoble - November 13 - 11:26 pm

  Coming from a 2008 S2000, The SI sedan has its cousins genes (vtec/i-vtec feel and sound, 8000rpm redline, electro speedometer).Of course the AP2 has better seats.My Si has a few mods that enhances its looks and performance and I love this car.It handles predictably and never complains for being FWD.It inspires confidence to push even harder.Cant argue that at this price point.Its no EVO, STI or 370Z Nismo, but its still fun to drive.