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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  07 Civic LX Sedan Review - 2007 Honda Civic
  By lhase - June 27 - 1:40 pm

  I agree the headrests are painfully forward (but I guess thats to help in a crash. May try the Accord headrest swap, thanks!) Road noise on certain surfaces, otherwise nicely quiet. Getting 28 mpg on my 60/40% city/hwy commute. Good handling (0.81g!) on Eagle RS-A tires. I like the surprisingly quick steering ratio for an econo-sedan. The digital gauges do work well - you can keep your eyes on the road ahead while checking speed/temp/gas. Accelerates quickly enough, esp. considering the fuel economy. Headlights work well with wide even light pattern and flat European cutoff.

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  Great car. Great features - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By JO - June 26 - 9:46 am

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  Whats that noise? - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Not so happy - June 24 - 9:36 am

  I have 12,500 miles on the Accord. It gets great gas mileage and love the car. I dont agree with the oil life gauge but the dealer said if I change it any sooner, Ill mess with the scheduled maintenance. How will an engine last 300k mles with the oil changed every 10,000 miles? The rock chips on the front of the car are annoying. Horrible road noise and now I have what soundss like a front wheel bearing gone bad! Also my lights dim every time the a/c kicks on! HMMMMMM!

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  bad fuel economy - 2008 Honda Accord
  By gary - June 23 - 12:16 pm

  I got fascinated by the fuel efficiency before buying this car. It was misleading advertisement. My car gives me 450 km with full tank (70 liters). Almost half the mileage as compared to advertisement. I have 2000 Toyota sienna, with 67 liters of fuel it goes more than 500 km. Bigger size, big engine and better fuel efficient than brand new 2008 Honda Accord ex-l (2.4l). I realize that I made a mistake, I should have bought the Toyota Camry instead.

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  Sweet Ride - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Vtecdude21 - June 19 - 6:46 am

  Dont believe those reviews of the car being anything less than great. Honda consistently builds solidly built products. This car really is a joy. I am a college student, so the extra space afforded by the 4 door is helpful, although if anyone is not restricted by space I would recommend the coupe. It is far more attractive and I will most likely go for that when the lease is up. The car is quite low on torque to be honest, but one the cams switch over the car really becomes a beast and the sound is beautiful. If you do not like revving up your engine past 6k then you will never enjoy this car, and you might as well look elsewhere. Great ride, smooth, reliable, decently quick.

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  Great ride quality, low gas mileage - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By briankyng - June 19 - 12:03 am

  I love this Pilot the more I drive it. I also have an S2000 and this is fine when the whole family has to go. It rides so well. I am used to my 4-Runner It does not even come close the performance of this. Even the new ones with the V8 engine. I only have about 3000 miles so far and have had not one little problem so far. Typical Honda quality.

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  Good so far - 2006 Honda Civic
  By sal - June 15 - 9:00 am

  Got 41 mpg on first tank of gas. I suspect that will go up slightly as car gets broken in. I dont know why some people complain about not getting 50 mpg. Those estimates are under ideal situations. You never can replicate those conditions exactly. Interior quality is very good, car is quiet , low road noise. Generous legroom and headroom (Im 62"). Acceleration from standstill isnt great, but once it gets going it does well. Going up on hills is fine, because the battery assists the motor. Overall Im happy

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  Bad Brakes - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Matt - June 14 - 3:10 am

  I love my 2008 Honda Accord EX- L with only 1 exception. The rear brakes need to be replaced every year. Honda has a Major problem with their rear brakes. Just do a simple search on the internet and you will found thousands of complaints about the rear brakes going out in their new car any where from 6 -18 months. Honda still will not admit to the problem and I still have to shell out $250 bucks every time to fix the brakes.

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  A Good Family Midsize SUV - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Jesse B - June 11 - 2:03 pm

  This SUV is very comfortable to drive. Leather seats are comfortable and supportive. Mileage is good for an SUV. The controls are logical and easy to operate. I like that the third row option folds flat on the floor. I bought the FWD because I never go offroad and mileage is slighly better than the 4WD. But during recent rainy weather the front wheels slipped frequently during initial acceleration. For safety reasons only I wish I had purchased the AWD.

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  "Its suppose to burn that much oil!" - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Cheeky - June 11 - 6:42 am

  Well, I have had my pilot since 09. I have enjoyed it so far, with a few exceptions. Around 80,000 miles my engine started misfiring. And I got a check engine light that came on. I took it to autozone were they pulled a code. The code confirmed my thoughts, it was a missfire in two of my spark plugs. I decided to save a little money and replace them myself. Figured how much trouble could it be. I pulled the plugs and two of the plugs seem to have been worn excessively. I started to do some research online only to find out that a lawsuit against Honda about this problem. Apparently the piston rings would shift and allow oil to enter the piston chamber, causing pre mature wear on the plugs and excessive oil consumption. Honda knows of the problem and is supposed to fix it. I brought this to the attention of dealership I frequently visit. I was told because I replaced the plugs and code was cleared I just had to wait until it happens again. Since that incident both catalic converters have failed, why you ask well because they have been coated with oil. By the way that will be a $1400 job please. Also, my Honda pilot if it sits running while parked for over a minute , and then I press the accelerator it blows out a large amount of smoke. I have since brought that up to the dealership. The mechanic told me I needed a new engine! Well, I brought up the leaking piston rings, the lawsuit etc. I was then told " That now I need to do an oil consumption test". Apparently burning three quarts of oil between oil changes is "normal" according to Gunn Honda. I havent changed the catalic converters on my pilot yet because I figured it would be a waste of money if they are going to get covered with oil and go out again ;I may want to wait. By not changing them keeps my fuel management system from working properly. For those who need further explanation if you see the green "ECO" light on! You are running on three cylinders and not six, which is "supposed" to be increasing your gas mileage. So if you are thinking of buying a used one understand this might be what you are getting. I will say other than that problem I have really enjoyed the ride and comfort of the pilot. If the new ones didnt look like the Honda Odyssey so much I might have upgraded.