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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  Will have to change tires in 1 year :( - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By hondaduras - August 23 - 12:28 pm

  I have had the CR-V for a year. I REALLY like it. BUT I was dissappointed to find out that I have to buy new tires after only 1 year. The original tires got cupped because they have the LOWEST possible wear-rating of 360. So, keep this in mind when buying. Otherwise, I am very satisfied with the CR-V.

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  Very good family hauler - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By lscico - August 23 - 1:26 am

  Bought to replace Toyota sienna. Owned two of those over 8 years. Never again. Bought for my wife but I use when taking older kids to games, trips etc. For long trips its excellent. Great visibility, very comfortable. A bit of road noise. Good power. MPG is good, considering. Ive characterized it pretty good over several trips. From Boston to central NY got 23-26 mpg @ ~75mph depending on weather, traffic. If I drop speed to 65 mph I get 27-28. Driving around NE I keep it at 60 and Consistently get high 20s. Around city its more like 19, if Im careful and 17-18 if not. My wife pays no attention to mpg and she averages 19 mpg over 3000 miles long term mostly city, some highway

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  Brake issues - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By ny99 - August 22 - 10:34 pm

  We just reached 16,000 miles on our 2011 Odyssey and I have mixed feelings. The modern conveniences such as the XM radio, rear view camera, heated seats, and hands free phone are nice. It has smooth, quiet acceleration and handles much better than our 2006 Sienna did. The interior is well designed and it proved to be comfortable on a recent trip from NY to Florida. However, the front brake rotors have had issues and recently had to be resurfaced by the dealer. This isnt the first time Ive experienced brake problems with a Honda vehicle, but it may be the last. The Sienna we traded in for this vehicle had 96,000 miles on it and never had any rotor issues. Fix the brakes Honda!!!

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  great drive, huge space, good deal - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By zimboy - August 22 - 5:15 pm

  had several hondas in my time so I expect great quality and got it. the Pilot has great space and features and is a sporty drive with excellent handling. i found out it shares the same platform as the Acura MDX and its no surprise. looks chunky and big on the outside, incredible space inside and drives like a crossover. some great technology which the dealers never seem to highlight like drive-by-wire accelerator, the 3-4 cyclinder shut-off for economy, tri-zone a/c etc. got the EX at invoice - $1250 after starting out looking at the CRV, the Pilot is so much more for a few extra $s.

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  fan of the Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By jtimotheus - August 20 - 5:30 pm

  My wife researched vehicles for two years before trading in her 01 Durango for the Fit Sport, and likes it better than any car shes had. Fuel economy is great-avg. 36 btw. TX and Vegas, driving 80-85. Rides fine, walks a bit. Better in town than hwy, only complaint-hard to get blonde hair out of upholstery. Took it camping, and were able to fit all our gear in it. Fun to drive, but Ive had to fix the front panel several times because she keeps backing over the curb on her way out of the driveway. Wish it had true intermittent wipers, but great sound system.

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  Before You Buy, You Might Want To Read On!!! - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By trron9 - August 19 - 2:26 pm

  Ive had my 2011 Ody for 4 months, mileage 10, 052 miles, this has truely been a Love/ Hate Relationship! You see my vehicle has been to the Service Department for various reasons more times than I care to remember, when you start to know your Service Advisors on a 1st name basis something is truely wrong! 1st I had multiple issues with the bluetooth requiring replacement of the Hands Free Module, requiring multiple trips before it was resolved, also Im a big man, the seat trim repeatedly continues to break as its held together by plastic clips a poor design, everone that buys a minivan is not going to be a 100lb Soccer Mom, Now Ive developed a creaky sound in the front of the vehicle!!!

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  every year something new - 2004 Honda Accord
  By rashadr - August 17 - 9:32 pm

  i like my 2004 accord but honda really mess up the electronics that comes in the car. like my radio went out in 2008 and now i have to get key because it wont lock or aything but my key light still comes on when i press a button and i already had replace it before.And i also had to replace the transmission and it only got 103,000 miles.its a fun car to drive and it get very good gas mileage the problems on this car is just not worth it.

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  Wish it was better - 2002 Honda Accord
  By davis262 - August 16 - 5:34 pm

  I owned this car starting at 40k miles. Seemed to be like other Honda Accords I have owned in the past (89, 98). I didnt realize at first how bad the transmission was because I was excited to have the power from the v6. Transmission was jerky from the beginning. I hated it. Worst driving experience Ive ever had. Never knew when it would accelerate. I love Honda but they lost me as a customer with this transmission. I was lucky and the car was totalled at 118k from hail damage. I know the transmission was going out soon. Also, the dash was squeaky. The 6 CD changer broke at around 80k. The dashboard clock was replaced. Not the quality I had grown to expect from Honda.

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  SEATS & CARGO Are Disappointing - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By kirbyfred - August 15 - 11:52 am

  Leather seats here are a joke- look and feel like vinyl, v. lo quality "leatherette" maybe? And sides and back of seats are clearly vinyl, leather is seating area only- cheaply done. Heated seats work poorly, v. disappointing. Leather and heat in my old BMW 325 seats are far superior- - Honda blew it here, and the "leather"/heated seats are clearly not worth the extra cost for upgrade. Cargo: rear seats do not fold forward far enuff they leave 6" of dead space between front and back seat area- - my skinny road bike does not fit well in here. Would be nice if rear seats could be removed & reinserted easily.

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  Great family car - 2011 Honda Accord
  By perunest - August 14 - 9:15 pm

  I have the 4 cylinder EX leather edition. My previous car was a BMW M3 that cost more than twice as much. I bought the Accord for its reliability and the reasonable price for all the features that are inculded. I have 24,177 miles on it in 11 months and I have had no problems. Maintenance on the BMW was minimal while it was in the "free maintenance" period. After that it became very expensive, so I traded it at 50,000 miles.