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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  Excellent - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Cheryl - August 17 - 8:33 am

  This just might be the first automobile I can honestly say, "I Love." It handles superbly in bad weather. For a small SUV, it is amazingly comfortable. I highly recommend this truck.

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  Bobs Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By BobbyMello - August 17 - 4:26 am

  Best vehicle I have ever owned. I would replace with the same make and model.

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  Expensive for its class, still a value - 2000 Honda Civic
  By alpha_animal - August 16 - 3:00 pm

  Excellent ride for a car this size, quite supple yet controlled. Power steering a bit overboosted. Engine doesnt have much grunt down low but gets with the program over 3000 rpm. Engine is also quite smooth and car gets excellent gas mileage. No mechanical difficulties to date, though I do hear a noise when shiftin when cold (Im going to get this checked out). Other cars in this class may be cheaper, but this one is well-executed and retains value so its still a great choice.

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  2016 Honda Pilot EX - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Arthur Roan - August 16 - 1:33 pm

  I brought this car mid of last year and already put 21K miles on this car, recently the emission system failure light turn on and I already sent back to dealer for second time last week because light turn back again. Dealer told me Cata Converter cap needs to be changed, fuel injectors need to be replaced and also fuel line pips need to be replaced too. I am not sure what happened to this car and not sure dealer can fix the issue or not after replaced lots stuffs from car.!!! Tired of to keep bring my car back to the dealer and driving a small loaner car civic.

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  great minivan so far - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By ryan young - August 16 - 12:06 pm

  bought this one for $400 over invoice. this thing has more bells and whistles than one can ever realistically use. more things to appeal to people, but more things to break, i guess. this is a really beautiful minivan is there ever was one. adjustable pedals are a great help. power is adequate for most situations. handling is good for a minivan. it really does drive like a car. visibility is great. ride is relatively smooth and quiet. all seats are extremely comfortable to sit in. build quality in interior could probably be a little better (some noises on rough roads). dvd is a great occupier of the kids. lots of storage space and cupholders.

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  Gobs of Fun To Drive - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Larry S. - August 16 - 8:43 am

  Have the car for 7 months, for the price no other car company can match it for performance, styling, fun meter level. The Civic-EX isnt even close in matching the Sis performance... no auto tranny may be the reason for not getting Si for many buyers. About 6.6 seconds to 60 mph with a 4 cyl. engine (no turbo), and only 197 hp, 139 ft.lbs of torque! Im getting about 25 mpg overall with about 60% city driving. You have to rev this car above 6k rpm to find its "sweet" spot. If you want less 4.0 sec to 60 mph, then buy a Vette for $80+K! One car magazine rates it #17 for the most fun to drive for ALL cars on the road (including BMW, Audi, etc.) that are priced 2x+ the Sis sticker.

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  Honda knows what it is doing - 2013 Honda Accord
  By kalmanzar - August 16 - 4:28 am

  overall i like the car, very roomy, smooth, alot of features, decent power, good build quality and material inside. the cvt does getting use to, at first i did not like, but after 3k mi there are some situtaions that i think it is better than a traditional tranny. still prefer a traditional tranny but not by that much. And actually like the cvt much more than i thought i would. the other two faults are the sound system sub par, and the ride a liittle firm, not bad but just would like a touch softer over some bumps, but live in nyc and roads terrible here. overall i give it a 8/10. fyi drove the sport back to back 3 differnces are steering heavier, ride little bussier, and stereo even worse

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  Dont look for qas mileage - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By shoulda checked more - August 15 - 11:08 pm

  Purchased our Pilot in May of this year, while we like the ride, although the road noise is pretty bad, we feel safe in it and it is comfortable. However do not expect to come close to the EPA estimates on the window sticker, the last tank of gas was primarily in town driving, we got 10 mpg, the best we have gotten on the road was 18 mpg. We have 6000 miles on it and we are looking for something else in and SUV that will come closer to the EPA est. Our 36 foot motor home gets 8 mpg, so go figure.

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  i love it - 2007 Honda Accord
  By My favorite car - August 15 - 10:50 pm

  Well, I used to own many kinds of cars, that include 6 of them is Honda. In my own experience I would not own anything else beside Honda. Yes I heard all kinds of complained about gas, noise, performance so on, so what you expect the car under 30 grand. But my car very special, leather w/nav, dvd, premium sound w/6disc changers, 6 speed manual v6 with 245 hp, and 4 doors. Please note this : if you want a better gas mileage on your car that depend on how you drive it.

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  Sad - 1998 Honda Accord
  By SAD - August 15 - 9:19 pm

  Recap to earlier review. Approx 82k and even though maintained well. Its needed alt., vtec valve and pwr door actuator. Car still looks nice except for corroding wheels. Major problem has been the trans which started shifting bad at 18k and gets worse every year. Sad sad sad. Ive notified Honda about trans and they claim theyll help me