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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  bring back this car man!!!!!!!!!! - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By john - October 15 - 9:41 pm

  always wanted one, got a fictus green ss auto, and although a manual would have been a first choice i am still impressed with the auto, leather seats were a nice perk, the vtec is an animal and i would not trade her in for anything else. a sexy car to look at and to drive. the prelude hates to drive under sixty mph and you can hear it under the hood. once on the highway shes happy. domestic cars look out!

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  2005 Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Tim Ferry - October 15 - 12:40 pm

  Wonderful vehicle. Rides great, good gas mileage, comfortable, and reliable. Cant beat it.

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  I Love My Baby - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Marc - October 15 - 11:57 am

  The S2000 is a great car, if its what youre looking for. I get people all the time that ask me what kind of car it is, and about its stats. These things are very rare, which I love as Mustangs and Z4s are a dime a dozen. Its a true roadster thats best with the top down on an open road. Long highway trips can be tiring when cruising in 6gear with the engin humming around 4k rpms for hours. I highly recommend test driving this beast as well as the compitition to truly get a feeling of what its about. I bought mine as a welcome back to America present after being deployed to Iraq, and did several months of research before purchasing. You should do the same.

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  My 2nd Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By garlicgloria - October 15 - 7:53 am

  I paid $2500 over MSRP for my 2000 EX Odyssey, therefore paying MSRP for the 2005 Touring N/E was a bargin. I didnt even look at another minivan, my experience with the 2000 left me with no doubts that my next purchase would be an Odyssey. I only have 500 miles on the 2005 but I can say the changes made on the new model make this an exceptional vehicle. My daughter needed a larger car so she got the 2000 Odyssey along with the portable DVD.

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  What a Buy! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Nikki - October 14 - 11:13 am

  Once the design is seen in person it is hard not to marvel and once you get it home and are able to play with all the extras (like the aux input, seat folding etc) it is amazing that so much comes in small packages.

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  A nice car - 2008 Honda Civic
  By dan - October 14 - 10:40 am

  Been driving this for less than a month now, it has 1200 miles on it. So far it absolutely amazing. Its really fun to drive, Great care for a good deal. You can always buy more comfortable seat add-ons. Blind spot can be easily fixed. Just adjust mirror to see more of the next lane, so all you have to do is turn head once and look at in mirror. Parking is not an issue, can always reverse and re-park. Kinda huge, but its fine.

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  Hands Down!!! - 2007 Honda S2000
  By dgojet - October 14 - 9:30 am

  Hands down the hottest roadster on the market. Classic lines, great performance, Honda quality. Sorry to all my s2k colleagues......nothing beats Black on Black!

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  honda s2000 - 2004 Honda S2000
  By rpharm - October 14 - 2:00 am

  More fun to drive than anything i had ever driven before. I was deciding between the 350Z and the s2000 and after test driving them both back to back, I chose the s2000. I love the way it looks compared to the 350Z too. There are too many cars that look similar to the 350Z with its "bubble" look.

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  Honda Odessy - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By David Gouveia - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a Dodge Grand Caravan, best thing I ever did. The resale valus of the Dodge is terrible. Ill never buy anything but a Honda again.

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  First Year Has Been Great - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Steve in St Louis - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Weve had our Pilot for almost a year now, and the experience has been great. This is my 6th Honda, and by far the best. Handles like a car, not an SUV. Pickup is very good. Interior and exterior nice. Cannot say anything bad about it. After 11 years driving a Plymouth Voyager, my wife was WAY overdue. She is extremely happy with the Pilot. Once again, Honda has not let me down.