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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  Perfect commuter - 2008 Honda Civic
  By prairie - February 7 - 11:00 pm

  I drive about 20k which is mostly commuting and a mix of city and hwy driving. I traded in a Toyota matrix for this car and its really made the commute much more enjoyable. Although road noise is cited as an issue with this car, I find it far superior to the Toyota in that aspect. Instrumentation very handy and intuitive. It is clean, economical, commuter at a good price. Theres plenty of room and it actually feels like a midsize because of the dash and windshield configurations.

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  Overall just a barely average vehicle - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Jay - February 7 - 10:41 pm

  The Pilot looks great on paper and in pictures, but dont be fooled. The specs are good and it looks good in photos as most vehicles do however the reality is much different. While fuel economy and engine performance are good, those seem to be the only things that dont disappoint. But to get straight to the point, here are problems that Ive noticed: 1. The infotainment is a really terrible system. It is underpowered, unrefined, unintuitive and cumbersome. It is really slow and unresponsive, probably because of outdated/cheap components used to power the system. Every tap lags, every single one. The interface is also very unintuitive, common features such as playlists, albums, genres are buried multiple menu layers deep. When you plug in your device, it defaults to playing your entire library of songs alphabetically. I get random error messages that cause the audio or navigation to close on a fairly regular basis of about once a week. An error message will just pop up and close the current app. 2. The navigation, probably in part to being underpowered, has been terrible so far. Ive only used it a few times so far but each time is has incorrectly calibrated my location and it would take a few minutes of driving for it to properly recalibrate my location. Ive driven and used many vehicles with navigation and this is honestly the first time its ever happened, on each occasion. 3. The radio is complete junk. It sounds like listening to a 30 year old clock radio because the reception is so bad. Sound is constantly fading, crackling or has static. There has been speculation that this is something that has only impacted a few Pilots however I am convinced this is a design defect. The antennas on the Pilot are similar to the antennas on the iPhone 4 and consist of bands on the rear windows. Whats worse is that despite this being an issue since the release of the 2016 Pilot, there has been no official response or acknowledgment from Honda yet. 4. Because the radio is so bad on the Pilot, most people such as myself will often listen to the music on my device. There is nothing wrong with the sound system itself, just the reception. However, since the infotainment system is so incredibly bad, even trying to listen to the music on my device is a major pain. 5. The footwell heat simply doesnt work well. It seems like a minor issue until you have consecutive single digit degree weather and realize only a very small portion of the area above your ankles are warm. The footwell area never completely warms, no matter how high you set the temperature or how high the fan is. Your lower legs will always be cold, or at least mine have. 6. For the trims below Touring with the 6 speed, the shifter is so poorly and terribly designed, it looks like it came out of a 1990 Corolla. Above all, my impression of the 2016 Pilot is that it was severely rushed and a lot of cost cutting was involved. There really is no excuse for the radio to have such horrible reception in this day and age. The infotainment system is clearly the result of cost cutting as its so terrible. The main benefit of the Pilot is the engine performance. I highly recommend anyone considering the Pilot to take it on an extended test drive and really pay close attention to the radio and tinker with the infotainment. Drive it back to back with any other vehicle and Im certain most will recognize a clear difference in radio quality. However, if literally none of these things matter, than the Pilot may be a good choice, otherwise I would at least hold off until the 2017 models arrive before even considering one.

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  Fit is Fantastic - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Fit Fan - February 7 - 8:25 pm

  Absolutely love my 2008 Fit Sport. Such a fun car to drive. Gas mileage is close to 40 MPG. Cant beat that with high gas prices. Love the seat configurations. Work out really great bringing husband home from hospital with knee replacement surgery. Folded front seat back and made the chaise-longue position. He was totally comfortable for the 3 hour drive home. Heating and AC systems work great. Love the sound system. Plenty of drink holders. Purchased the cargo mat and it works great when hauling plants. I could go on and on about this car. Totally fun and makes you feel good driving it. Love my Fit! Honda ... this is a wonderful product.

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  One Of The Best Cars Ever Made - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Robert - February 7 - 6:46 pm

  My dream car for years was a Toyota Celica GT-S. This last year I was going to buy a car I could afford. I did some research and found a 2001 Honda Prelude SH. I never realized I would ever find a car more intriguing then the Celica. I bought my Prelude in May and now have added 10,000 additional miles. I love it. Its one of the best cars ever made.

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  Reliable gas miser - 2007 Honda Civic
  By MiamiBigDaddy - February 7 - 1:03 pm

  After driving my SUV into the ground, I decided to quit spending so much at the gas pump. I wanted the most reliable, fuel efficient (somewhat) inexpensive car I could find. At one year and 8,000 miles, it has fulfilled my expectations. I would highly recommend this car.

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  What will I do when it dies? - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By TEEK - February 7 - 12:53 pm

  I have never even been in a vehicle with better storage area that services the driver, as many cup holders for the rear, and overall family friendly design. If I were wealthy I would have bought two, so when this one wears out I would have another. There is no other vehicle you could GIVE me that I would like more. This truck fits family and professional life. It is quality inside and out. Go for it if you are considering the Pilot.

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  Disappointed - Will not buy another - 2008 Honda Accord
  By JTC - February 7 - 10:16 am

  Have been reading these reviews and I have same issue with dimming headlights. One dealer suggested it may be the power management system in these cars reducing alternator load to save fuel. Acts like engine cooling fan cycling, but also occurs at speed, below 20 deg. F with A/C off. Car has occasional no-start problem, like not getting fuel. Dealer checked and "unable to duplicate". Leased this car to get away from problems with an older car. Now issues are arising with the new one and no solutions. Very frustrating! Most disturbing is the large number of folks citing bad customer service. What happened Honda?!

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  No more Fords for us! - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By snowbill - February 7 - 6:10 am

  After 12 yrs of leasing Ford vehicles- Taurus, Windstar, Expedition... we went looking for another vehicle (other than at our beloved ford dealership) WOW! Great fit and finish-->we have become so used to saying-its a nice vehicle, but its a ford...rather, now we cannot believe how much more refined the Pilot EX/RES is! Great value for the money(my other car is a MBenz 500 SEL so we have the means)I would urge you to check out the Pilot - my wife loves it!

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  My White Honda - 1994 Honda Accord
  By Rick Haines - February 7 - 2:00 am

  It is a great little car with a big car ride. Great on gas. Inside has lots of room. and plenty of trunk space.

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  "Little Hummer" Turns Heads - 2003 Honda Element
  By mw1211 - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Not a 20-something. Not a surfer. Not likely to live in the thing. Drive it to work and back, have taken 1300-mile roadtrip to test its worthiness. Good in the slushy snow while in Richmond. Love the stereo. Needs a GPS. Only miss so far? A coat hanger hook! Dogs like it. Co-workers with either an "eek-thats ugly" or "its kinda cute/interesting/chunky" (never sexy or fast looking). So far (~3000 miles) a real mule for the hauling and nice leg room and comfort for 65" owner (no, not as comfortable as the Yukon XL, but much less money). LOTS of looks and "whats thats" from the stop light and parking lot gawkers.