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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  Best snow car I have ever owned - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By Cindy - December 9 - 7:14 am

  I live in Colorado and I have a 60 mile commute, so I need a car that can handle snow and a car that Im not afraid to put a lot of miles on. Ive had this car for 3 years and I love it. Im at 255,000 miles and I expect to get another 100,000 out of this car based on how it has treated me so far. MINOR CONS: It is noisy and my tall husband (62") cant get the seat back far enough for comfort, and the cup holders are shallow so coffee mugs have a tendency to fall out but other than those issues it is a great car. Its a nice size, wonderful visibility, and ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL IN THE SNOW, uphill or down.

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  AWSOME CAR - 2004 Honda S2000
  By LUKA - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I love this car its got the speed the handleing of a true sport car

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  Reliable and Fun to Drive - 1999 Honda Civic
  By mad_tea_party - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after test driving it. It was the fastest, best performing car I could afford at the time. Apart from a CD player that was repaired under warranty, NOTHING has broken on this car. I am still driving on the original brake pads. I also changed the timing belt at about 90,000 miles. At 108,000 miles I am still enjoying this car and plan to buy a Honda in the future.

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  Think Different - 2003 Honda Element
  By BOO - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Extremely confortable, great utility, very quiet at hwy speeds(80mph),great for long trips, quiet power train, super engine and transmission, kickin radio, low maintenance. FWD needs traction control. Great buy. Have a rattle the dealer cannot seem to find.

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  Overrated - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By mtheadjr - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. It has a transmission problem which the mechanic ackowledges but says cannot be fixed as the part has a faulty design. It knocks, or slips, at midspeeds. I also find the car to be very road noisy. The AC does not blow very cold and the gas mileage stinks. Wish I had never bought it - would not recommend it to anyone. PS _ this is my second one - the first was returned to the dealer after 2 days when it too had a transmission problem which required it to be towed. Should have taken the hint then and run.

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  Performance Guy turned into a Grizwald - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By chask - December 9 - 2:00 am

  We chose Honda based on three main variables: 1Roominess 2Reliabil.3Value I felt Honda gave us plenty of room(if not too much)The fold down seat allows for alot of storage.The reliab. of Honda products in our house has always been great.The Value was a big key to our purchase.We did not see the incentives given by the other manufac. to be real.A $32000 Dodge with incent. of $3500 still lacked many of the feat./perfor.we got in Honda.We found pricing the packages to be confusing and misleading.We like the fact that you had basically 3 packages to choose from and that was it.

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  Major regrets - 2001 Honda Civic
  By who knew? - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car hoping for good gas mileage and reliability and have been disappointed on both counts. The front struts have been replaced once already and probably need to be replaced again, given that it sounds like a gunshot has been fired everytime I go over the smallest bump in the road. Interior is very cheap - the cover for the door handle falls off about every week and has no screw to keep it in place. It is basically an embarrassment to let anyone ride in this car. Gas mileage is average (25-30mpg), at best.

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  01-02 Accord V6: A Car Anyone will LOVE - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Orko - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 01 Accord EX-VL Certified Used in January. Since then, it has been trouble-free, with no problems at all; legendary reliability, not to mention high resale value make this car a no- brainer. If you are considering an Accord, opt for the V6 and you will get a car that will make you happy for thousands of miles to come, just understand that you wont be first, nor the last one, to have one.

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  Honda CR-V rate 8 out of 10 - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By art_card - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my honda crv ex AWD 1 month ago, and its not so great as other reviews, Pros: great engine, fun to drive, Cons: bad windshield with distortions on the right side, bad off road capabilities, bad gear shift handle on the way of radio, bad seats very tight.

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  Blues Candy - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Blues Candy - December 8 - 9:16 pm

  This is an exceptionally built vehicle. The Honda quality is unsurpassable by many manufacturers. The ride is smooth and everything is laid out well within reach of the driver. It is a very user friendly vehicle and the 2.3L 4 cylinder engine is very economical especially in this time we are in now with soaring fuel prices. Modifications are abundant for this vehicle, but not necessary if youre like me and in your mid-thirties. The interior is spacious and has numerous features that come with the SE package. I am very impressed with this car and will be trading in my Ford Windstar for the Honda Odyssey.