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:

• 

  Almost Pleased - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By amiret - July 31 - 7:43 am

  Ive always been a Ford person with excellent dealer service. The Honda Pilot was to be an interim car while I waited for Ford to put more towing capacity in the Freestyle. Ive have grown to like the Pilot, but the dealers dont have a clue about many things as compared to the Ford experience Ive had. They dont know how to fix things like rattles, poor gas gage calibration or back-up sensors. Also, they dont know if Honda put in brake-in oil. Want to change oil earlier than book. Had to give service people information taken off internet and Edmunds.

• 

  A Great - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By copilot - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought it for its great all around utility. It has a lot of interior room and a lot of thoughtful storage and tie- downs. I wanted a reliable, safe and useful "utility" vehicle. It isnt as quiet or luxurious as an Acura or Lexus; but I wasnt willing to spend the extra money to obtain this additional quiet or extra "plush" interior. It rides very carlike, handles well for its size and, if it turns out to be a typical Honda in reliabiltity, I will be happy with it. For its price range I think it is great vehicle.

• 

  Great Car for Both Hauling and Running Errands - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Tami Stukey - July 27 - 11:08 am

  Performs well. Easy to operate, good acceleration and braking. Excellent cargo space and very comfortable seats. Look is really nice and handles well. It lacks the blind spot blinkers and audible warnings but includes a camera for passenger side blindspots. That helps but can also be distracting. Doesnt allow voice commands for audio and navigation but does for phones. Good lane monitoring system, collision, variable cruise control and braking.

• 

  First and foremost, its a Honda - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By laweiner - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Great fit for someone looking for a reliable mid-size SUV with a peppy V6, and flexible seating and storage. We feel that we got great value for the dollar and would buy another one. This is not an SUV for someone looking for luxury (inside and out), seating for 8 adults, shifter in the console, or tall drivers. The latter is a nuisance issue to me since I am unable to fully stretch my left leg on long drives.

• 

  Only 25k miles w/ problems - 2001 Honda Civic
  By WIDEMIND - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought car brand new. Looked good, was fun to drive. Very soon after, bits of door panel kept detatching - particularly in the handle where a piece covers the screws to hold it in place.... it wont stay without glue. Comfort not all that great - was pretty peaved to find that only driver side had an arm rest. Material used wasnt the best. Just a typical interior design. Now at 25/k miles w/ rattles in dash. A/C could be stronger. Turning radius isnt very good. Older civics are much better.

• 

  Almost perfect - 2003 Honda Accord
  By JeffC - July 25 - 10:00 am

  The 2.4 engine on my EX has very nice acceleration from the line, but I find its lack of passing power a real drawback. At any speed above 45mph, there just isnt any go juce. I also find that it struggles with 4 adults. My biggest complaint is the rear bumper. It seems thin skinned. Someone backed into me and left a ugly crease in it. The damage was cause because of the supports under the bumper. More foam padding would have helped here. I also can feel engine vibration through the steering wheel at 1000-1200 RPMs. All in all, these are minor complaints. The car is excellent overall.

• 

  Improvement over 05 - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Chief - July 25 - 4:13 am

  My wife and I purchased an 05 Civic Hybrid. The 06 is a whole different car. Everything that could have been improved on the 05 was addressed. The only thing remaining is more power but that may be the price of the great mileage. Were getting 44 mpg now in the very cold weather.

• 

  A Very Nice Car Overall, but... - 2006 Honda Civic
  By RL Sanderson - July 25 - 1:56 am

  I liked this car enough to switch from twenty-plus years of VW Jettas. Its beautifully made. It handles nicely and the ride isnt bad, and its as quiet as Id want, even with the moonroof open. The audio sounds great, though radio reception isnt very good. The thick windshield corner posts (struts?) obstruct vision, quite seriously on left turns. The transmission has trouble deciding what gear it wants to be in on grades at speed. I wonder where all the reviewers reporting 35-40 mpg live and drive - I have to do a lot of maneuvering in and around traffic on long, stiff interstate grades, and even with a lot of more relaxed driving averaged in, Im getting 29-31 mpg city/hwy.

• 

  Its a great all around vehicle - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Rob Boling - July 25 - 12:29 am

  Hi, the new Honda HRV is a great value, for a little under 20k, you just cant expect more. My girlfriend has a 2015 Subaru Forester, it has more comfortable seats, its quieter, it has more acceleration, the all around quality is better, its a $32k vehicle and it shows. Well take that on the longer road trips, but the Honda H-RV is a lot of bang for the buck, a great commuter vehicle, which is what I use it for. The 1.8L 4 cylinder engine is very smooth and delivers plenty of power, and 37 mpg on the road. I bought a 2001 Honda CRV for about the same price the 2016 HRV goes for, and 15 yrs later, the H-RV is a better vehicle than the 2001 CRV was. I just gave the 2001 Honda CRV to my son who is in college, 208k miles and runs like a top. If you want a great ride, buy a more exp vehicle, but the HRV is a very good vehicle. To borrow a line - Its great for what it is.

• 

  Good Mountain Car - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By nomoreford - July 22 - 4:20 am

  This is a great all around SUV for hikers and skiers. We bought it to replace a very unreliable Lincoln Navigator and havent been disappointed. It is very capable in the ice and snow; even with the stock Bridgestone Dueller HT tires (I cant wait to put a set of Cross-Terrains on it). It seats five comfortably, with plenty of cargo room. The third row seat really is only suitable for kids. Performance is adequate. Gas mileage could be better, although it isnt all that bad for an AWD. It will tow a light trailer or boat to the mountains or the beach. Our biggest complaint is with the seats. They just arent very comfortable during long (over four hours)trips.