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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  Great Value - 2007 Honda Accord
  By jedo97 - August 10 - 6:09 pm

  Great car for those on a budget. I have the V6 Special Edition, nice big 17" wheels, steering wheel controls and 6 disc Cd player. Ride is slightly firm because of bigger wheels, but trade off is excellent steering feel, superlative road feedback and above average acceleration. If youre like me and love to drive, then no other car in this segment fits the bill. Nothing could touch it for finish, reliability, sporty nature and good looks. The Camry doesnt look this good and definitely isnt sporty in driving dynamics. This car loves the backroads and twisties and the brakes are excellent. I dont agree with Edmunds rating for the brakes.

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  2005 Honda Accord EXL V6 - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Ray - August 10 - 2:26 pm

  I have only owned and operated this car for a week. My initial reaction is that this is one terrific car. It has the feel of a luxury car. It is solid, smooth, responsive, quiet and exudes quality. It is my second Honda and if the reliability experience with this car is similar to my first Honda, I will be one very satisfied Honda owner.

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  Smooth, spacious, safe and satistifying - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Hunter - August 10 - 11:42 am

  This is not a perfect car, but it has pleased my family of 5 for the three months and 4,000 miles weve owned it. Heres my opinion: The Negatives: * 9-speed transmission (found on touring and elite versions) can lurch when the foot begins to press on the brake in certain situations (around 30mph?), giving a surprising feeling of acceleration instead of deceleration. It feels like the transmission is going through neutral in these situations, thus the lurch, but Im still testing (and less alarmed about it because it has always happened with my foot at the brake and passes quickly). The transmission also may feel jumpy to some in the first few gears as it quickly moves through them upon acceleration. I dont know if the 6-speed transmission has these issues. * Touchscreen is a bit slow, shows fingerprints, but even worse for us - scratched after using the cleaning pad provided. This was most likely due to fine dust/sand in the car from a river outing so its probably our fault, but with gorilla glass these days I expected more resilience, not sure what the honda screen is made of but beware- a protector of some sort is probably wise. * Tailgate (rear) window does no open like the previous generation, just the whole tailgate which fortunately is shorter than before. * Keyless ignition requires one to cycle through power off when wanting to turn off the engine but leave on auxiliary power. * The new tech and sensing still feels a bit young The Positive: * The ride is smooth, quiet and solid feeling. Yes it does feel bottom heavy but to me that is a good thing, better than a top heavy vehicle. The Pilot honkers down while braking hard, and tracks well on corners, sure its not a Delorean nor even an Accord in that regard. * Good space with excellent headroom. Earlier this year I would have purchased an Odyssey but the limited headroom ruled out the second and third row for me. I can sit in every seat of the Pilot. The elite level trim has the two captain chairs in the second row which eases access to the third row, but third row access is easier in general with the one button fold and the slightly lower/wider access. In addition the reversible floor behind the third row seats adds some usable extra cargo room and does handle coolers well. * The improved small frontal overlap safety, better visibility (particularly A pillar), and the optional sensing help further evolve the attention to safety detail that Honda has. The cross-traffic sensor on the elite works so well it can get annoying, like when it picks up the opposite lane when you are trying to back-out. Not a bad thing to know about its just one doesnt want to depend on the sensing tech solely. I think of them as guardians that can help a driver out, but the driver must still do the normal driving safety checks. A nice thing is the sensing systems are highly configurable whether its turning them off entirely, desensitizing them or turning the sound off (and keeping visual feedback). * Gas mileage feels a bit improved over the previous generation even with a noticeably more powerful engine. The engine has no problem passing and getting on the freeway where weve experienced 27mpg with mountain passes involved according to the trip computer, but I need to yet verify the accuracy of the trip computer at the gas tank. * The navigation works real nice, but then weve never had navigation before. Notes: * The sound system is configured with a "neural" setting by default. I found turning that off to improve the sound drastically. * Adaptive cruise control (ACC) works pretty well on the highway, not so well at slow speeds (trouble following appropriately) * Lane Assist needs well painted lines to work reliably, but when it does its almost scary. * Idle off gets less annoying with experience. For example, pressing the brake lightly will prevent the engine from shutting off or pumping the brake will re-start the engine when stopped (see the manual). Summary: There is a lot of new tech to this car, and I would not recommend buying it for the new tech as its still a bit rough around the edges. In addition, the 9-speed transmission could probably stand some tuning. I suspect the 2017 or 2018 Honda Pilot will improve upon these weaknesses. However for space, AWD, decent mpg, and safety the 2016 Honda Pilot is a solid choice that both my wife and I enjoy to drive.

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  Element does well. - 2003 Honda Element
  By Steve D. - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Well designed function over form vehicle which just happens to look great.

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  Great car - 2000 Honda Civic
  By edsirya - August 10 - 10:00 am

  The civic SI is a great value. You cant beat this fun-to-drve coupe in terms of its combination of economy, performance and reliability. I highly recommend it.

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  My Family Loves Our Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Mr Notre Dame - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Very roomy and smooth to drive. Tough and solid! Feels somewhat luxurious yet so reasonably priced.

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  BEST HONDA EVER BOUGHT/THE PILOT - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By OLIVER - August 10 - 10:00 am

  WE DID A LOT OF RESEARSCH ON THIS HONDA,BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. IM 6 FOOT 3 AND I STLL HAVE 5 INCHES LEFT.

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  A year of enjoyment! - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By PleasedPilotOwner - August 10 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I have had our Pilot for a year and are extremely pleased with it. We just returned from a 3000 mile road trip to Seattle and back through Yellowstone NP. The Pilot never hesitated climbing the steep mountain grades. We passed many Toyotas and Fords as they bogged down on the ascents. The Pilot never flinched as the cruise control kept its setting. We find the Pilot to be very comfortable on long trips.

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  We vowed wed never get a minivan....... - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By NHMom - August 10 - 10:00 am

  This is our second Honda Odyssey, and we like this one better than the first! The built in DVD is great, especially with the wireless headphones, worth the extra $$ The six cylinder VTEC has great power and the transmission is much smoother than our first one. We vowed never to get a minivan, but this blows doors off our Jeep Grand Cherokee that we tried to stuff 2 kids and dog into.

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  love it - 2003 Honda Accord
  By matt H. - August 10 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Honda Accord and I love it! It dominates the other cars in its class. I like the new look - its sleeker and sportier than the older models. The power and handling is great. It has tons of features and the price I got it at was terrific.