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 noisy - 2001 Honda Accord
  By John Kent - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Road noise on coarse pavement at highway speeds is deafening, making conversation or radio-listening an unpleasant chore. Engine noise is pronounced during moderate-to-hard acceleration, and the motor does not sing a sweet song. Intermittent rattles and squeaks are annoying. The car is dead-solid reliable, but I wont buy another one.

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  Very Good MinvVan - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Heckler - October 4 - 11:13 pm

  Weve had our van for over a month now and we are very happy. Weve had only one issue with it, a whistling noise coming from the passenger side, did my research and there is a fix for it, re- designed wiper cowl. The gas mileage is OK. Pretty close to the advertised EPA. This is the first time Ive bought a car on the first production year and Im not sure if Id do it again. There are some rattles from the sun visor on the passenger side when down. Overall its a great family vehicle. Its also the best value.

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  Great Car! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Aravind Raghu - October 4 - 1:06 pm

  This is a wonderful car to drive. Test for brakes, Engine and transmission before making the purchase

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  Truly a multi-purpose vehicle. - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Kim B. Foster - October 2 - 9:00 pm

  Handles and accelerates well while still being more economical than V-6 alternatives. Two wheel drive is more than adequate in northern urban areas. AWD would be better for rural commutes in winter or in heavy snow belt areas. Excellent heater and heated mirrors appreciated in Canada. Many thoughtful and functional items in the standard LX model. Our choice was between the Accord or the CRV. Both had nearly identical MSRP. The CRV is much more useful and has Vehicle Stability Assist included. Exceptional feeling of spaciousness for the driver and passenger. Residual value of the CRV has been excellent for many years I never truly understood the whole CRV thing until I bought one.

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  A few little quirks - 2008 Honda Accord
  By George m - September 29 - 3:53 am

  I have certainly enjoyed driving my new Accord coupe. The few areas where I have been a little disappointed is in the fuel economy. I have been babying the gas pedal for the first 1000 miles, but Im still averaging about 21-22 mpg. Some of that is likely atributed to warming the car up for about 4 to 5 minutes on cold mornings. Also, about 60% of my driving is on local roads. However, my old Audi A4(4cyl turbo) would average 26-27mpg driving the same routes (but driving a bit more agressively). My cd changer also makes some noise every few minutes as if its changing cds (even when the audio system is turned off). My overall experience is possitive, but I expected a little better.

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  Just picked mine up - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Hammer12 - September 28 - 10:00 am

  I just picked up my 2004 Honda Pilot EX with cloth interior. What a quality SUV the cloth seat are the best Ive seen yet from Honda and Ive owned two others. Very comfortable double stiched seams with a great gray color. Overall Im impressed with the entire package lots of nice features you can tell honda did there homework before releasing this SUV.

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  mpg very poor - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By chowdhury goffer - September 27 - 9:02 pm

  mpg only 12 to 15 mile.should be 22 but very poor mpg.

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  Terrible Gas Mileage/Sluggish Transmission - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By tammy - September 23 - 1:43 am

  I have kept a log on my gas mileage since purchasing my Odyssey in August of 07, and bought the Odyssey for its advertised gas mileage. I owned a Chrysler Town and Country for 10 years, and my 10 year old van got better gas mileage than this Odyssey. Im getting 15 city and no more than 19.5 Hwy. My sticker advertises 19/26. It is very disappointing! Also, I have had trouble with the transmission being slow to change gears from Park to Drive. Took it in today and they put a computer update on the van to speed the delay, but it didnt work. It is also sluggish from 10-40 mph with the so called Economy feature kicking on and off to save gas! Poor engineering for gas mileage and transmission!!

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  Mother of 3 Teenage Boys - 2003 Honda Element
  By Joyslee - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Love, love, love this car. Backing out of a steep gravel driveway, my friends SUV slipped and kicked gravel, and almost didnt make it. My Element just slipped a half second, kicked into 4WD, and I cruised out. I cant wait to drive it on snow. If you live where these cars are few and far between, be prepared to be stared at (and maybe laughed at) for driving such an unusual looking vehicle.

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  Its great for what I need. - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By buffybay8 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Just bought my CRV and Im really enjoying it. Dont like the heastation on shifting from 1st to 2nd and I wish the cruise control buttons, on steering wheel, were lighted. I love my CRV!