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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  Awesome SUV - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By rsgnice - October 6 - 11:20 am

  We have owned our 2011 Pilot for over a month now. This is our third family hauler – and the best yet. Shopped around for over six months and finally settled with the Pilot. It has everything we had hoped to have in our family hauler. It has good exterior looks and finish – love the boxy/angled shape. Engine has a lot of power and provides a smooth ride. Interior is roomy, comfortable and quite. Seats are firm with excellent back support. Music system is awesome. We had 6 adults and 2 kids on a day trip and the SUV hauled without a fuss. The only quirk - features offered in EXL are very few for the money. They seem to have rectified it for the 2012 model. All in all, I love the SUV!!!

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  Back to my roots... - 2011 Honda Accord
  By thunderhexed - October 4 - 10:03 am

  My first car in High School was an Artic White 1985 Accord LX sedan that my family and I put over 200K miles on - it had 60K on it when we bought it in 93. The car I was driving before my 2011 Accord sedan was a 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe, which i THOUGHT was my dream car until I realized the headache it was to own - directional tires, premium gas, and electronic malfunctions galore - not to mention HORRIBLE paint that literally came off in chips - fast forward to 2011, and I traded it for my Accord. Its smooth, quiet, classy, GREAT on gas, gets compliments galore and I have piece of mind knowing that I have a reliable, quality vehicle to get me around town.

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  Best Honda yet! - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By our2kids11 - October 4 - 6:19 am

  We have owened two Honda Pilots, most resently a 2011 and a Honday Odyssey. The 2012 Odyssey beats our previous hondas by leaps and bounds. The comfort is unmatched and the room inside it is crazy! Plenty of pep and smooth acceleration when needed. Plus, 20 mgp is hard to beat in our mountainous region. We couldnt be happier with our new Odyssey! Cant go wrong here.

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  Glad to be back with Honda - 2004 Honda Accord
  By scottwax - October 3 - 10:42 pm

  I had a 1990 Accord for several years, sold it with 280k miles, current owner works at a tire store near me so I know it still runs! After the Accord, I had a 1999 626 and two 2002 Nissan Maximas (one an automatic, one a 6 speed). After I found out my Dad was replacing his 2004 Accord EX V6 with a truck, I offered to buy it. Only 75k miles and meticulously maintained. As much as I miss the acceleration of my 6 speed Maxima, the Accord is no slouch, runs about as well as my automatic Maxima did but with better mileage. Im averaging 21-22 in the city (and the Dallas area has no clue how to synchronize traffic lights) and a trip to Kentucky and back got me 30.4 mpg at 75-78 mph!

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  A "Me Too" Transmission Failure - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By surferboi - October 3 - 2:38 pm

  Add me to the long list of people who have experienced transmission failure. My check engine and traction control lights came on last week while I was on the highway to the airport. I figured Id take it in when I got back. Transmission started slipping and died less than 50 miles later, just this morning on the way back from a short trip to the airport. 135K miles on the car and it has been running like a champ. And now I get online and see that Im not the only one. I was always a little suspect about the speed at which they were making these models. Now I guess we are seeing the effect.

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  Love it! - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By case9488 - October 2 - 11:26 pm

  Ive had my CR-Z for over a month now and I still get excited every day to drive it. The handling is excellent and I feel safe, though the sport mode can certainly pick up the pace. The gas mileage is good but the great build, comfortable seats, and awesome technology make that just a bonus. Of course the only downfall is not having a backseat anymore, but there is plenty of trunk space.

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  great car, comfortable, best gas mileage - 2011 Honda Insight
  By jml16 - October 2 - 11:38 am

  We get 41 MPG in the city & up to 48 on the HWY. we dont find road noise to be excessive. we have had the car approx 7 months. the dealer is terrific. the mechanics are local & loyal. at least 1 has been there over 20 years. Only issue is people that are heavy & tall cannot ride easily.

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  yankeefan56 - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By yankeefan56 - September 30 - 12:32 pm

  a month with it and we still love it..still has that "new car smell"...as i said before we liked the rogue,but honda gave us a better deal and we are happy we chose the crv

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  Another rave review - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By noflash1 - September 29 - 4:13 pm

  The ride is very smooth and the van feels so solid, it really feels like you are driving an Acura. We got the EXL to get a ton of goodies and nothing too frivilous. I cant consider $2k for nav when I need it once a year and can buy an aftermarket for $200. And I dont want my kids watching DVDs the second they get in the car. The EXL has tons of great features my favorite being the CD Library -- itll record about 400 songs from your CDs to a hard drive. The safety is top notch, great crash test, large rear view camera is very comforting. Weve been averaging 24 mpg in mild weather -- no A/C. Its the only minivan you can fit 2 carseat and a Granni in the middle row. :)

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By daytonjohn - September 29 - 9:15 am

  The new Honda Odyssey is absolutely fantastic to own and drive. We had owned the 1999 Odyssey and drove it for 9-years, loving it. The new Odyssey is improved in every way. The ride is very comfortable even on long trips. The way the middle seats can be adjusted, including sliding outward toward each door is very innovative and allows for up to three child seats side-by-side if needed. We also have a 2011 Buick Enclave which has been excellent, but I enjoy the features and overall driving characteristics better in the Honda.