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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  Love, but... - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Gloria Liu - August 30 - 2:50 am

  Havent had this vehicle long enough to rate the reliability (repair frequency, dealership support, engine, transmission, electronics) or Value (maintenance cost, purchase cost, resale value, warranty). Previous car was a wider and longer, but lower on the road sedan. Glad to be in an SUV to be able to see farther among other big vehicles on the road. Road handling is stable. Tight turns. Glad theres am mpg meter which is already changing the way I drive. Nice to have rear camera for easier reverse & parking. Nice to have bluetooth to play music from portable devices. Nice to be able to place calls & receive calls through the car sound system. Not sure why occasionally the receiver has difficulties hearing me. When the mpg is displayed, the clock is placed low and to the right of the screen. While the driver can see the clock in this position, passengers in the rear seat cannot easily see the clock. Drivers side button window controls is next to and almost the same size and shape as the door lock button. Have to look down to see which button Im pushing.

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  I Love This Car!!! - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Melan226 - August 29 - 6:53 pm

  I have wanted the Pilot for over a year now. My husband bought me one and I love this car. It is comfortable and fun to drive. Lots of room inside for the kids. So much comes standard on this car. My only complaint would be that I dont get that great of gas mileage. It said 17-22. I drive streets and only average about 13-14 mpg. WhenI do drive the freeway, I get good mileage. Everything I was looking for in a car.

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  2008 Honda Fit - 2008 Honda Fit
  By chris - August 29 - 2:30 pm

  Just got my car last month. Ive put 1000 miles on it so far and I am rather pleased. the only item i have regrets with is not having cruise control. i am getting 30-32 mpg which is double what my previous car was getting. I only wish i could have waited to take a look at the 2009 fit.

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  Rusted Catalytic Conveter - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By alev - August 29 - 11:50 am

  This was our third Honda but we are very disappointed. We started to hear noises just before the warranty ended, when we took it they changed one of the catalytic converters and we still have the noise. It is out of warranty. They said all the converters rusted. Never will buy Honda again. You pay $35 K and it rusts in 3 years. Why pay that much?

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  mixed reviews with the 2010 Accord - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Enrique Gomez - August 29 - 10:27 am

  bought the car with a break problem (shaking/making clanging noise) and oil problem (using oil too quickly )from a gas station dealer at about 53k. I replaced all the pads and rotors at 53k before I realized the true cause of the braking problems is a bad brake system. The oil problem was fixed by a Honda dealer through a warranty/recall where the engine was pretty much rebuilt. The Accord is great because despite being quite large it has good acceleration and handling. Unfortunately, I gave the car low marks for Road Holding because the car is easily tossed by highway winds.. irrelevant to Road Holding but related on the highway the cabin is very, very noisy., otherwise, the suspension/steering are phenomenal at slow speeds (25-45mph) I have Good Year All Season Tires and they work really well in the snow. The Accord just hit 83k miles and the brake problems have returned.

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  Nice SUV for the price may need little more power - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Prasad Avala - August 29 - 10:12 am

  Super good mileage compared to other same line of SUVs. I have a 2002 CR-V with 250K miles still running strong. So i pulled the trigger for 2016 CR-V with 0.9% honda finance. Nice features compared to price for EX AWD. im getting 26-28 MP in local(if i watch my foot) and 31-33 freeway currently. I heard about vibration in 2015 which screwed the fame of CR-V . looks like vibration reduced significantly in 2016 but not completely. I have purchased all weather mats(OEM) , Trunk Tray(OEM) and body side moldings(OEM) online and installed myself and saved nearly $400. I got a quote from honda care(online dealer) for extended warranty of 8 years/100k miles for $950 which was almost 50% less than my local dealer price. Upgrading to LED interior lights and custom fit seats to protect the interior from Kinds. So far so good . Time will tell about reliability :). Looks like other features in touring are really good if the price is affordable for you.

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  Excellent! - 2004 Honda Element
  By Tanya - August 29 - 10:00 am

  Everything about this car thrills me, the styling, the handling, the interior space. I previously had a Saab 9-5 that completely fell apart before it reached 70,000 miles, starter, electronics display, rotor, turbo, head gasket. I had bought it to last. Never again. So much for German and American engineering.

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  love it - 2004 Honda Element
  By Meme - August 29 - 10:00 am

  I love it.. there never before was a car designed just for me. I sail, bike, kayak, windsurf and ski and this car lets me carry everything easily.

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  Love it! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Kim G - August 29 - 10:00 am

  I would like to just say that my car is awesome! I love to drive it, I save on gas, and its so cool looking. I customized it slightly to fit my personality, but it is one of the best cars Ive ever had.

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  Think again if you live in a hilly area - 2004 Honda Accord
  By spannertech - August 29 - 10:00 am

  Although Im overall pretty happy, I wish Id test drove this car up a couple of hills before I bought it. Living in a hilly area it just seems to make a big fuss getting up them. It also REALLY kills fuel economy, however gentle I am. Previously owned a Golf GTI 1.8T, so perhaps I just got used to about the same power moving less weight. On the freeway its quiet and effortless and thats great for long trips.