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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  CRZ in Miami - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By mellow joe - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 2007 Ford edge for the 2011 cr-z ex CVT. At first I had to get used to much less room and lower visibility but fun driving and spending 50% less gas money is great and helps to comfort me in other ways.

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  15 mpg! Be warned - 2005 Honda Element
  By crackrock - November 19 - 2:00 am

  My v6 Suzuki grand vitara true 4x4 is getting 17.5 and my 4wd element is getting 14.5. Measured both with a kiwi-mpg obd2 tool, so its accurate. The element really awful to me. Gotta get this off my chest. Low clearance - I already came within a 1/2" of basically ruining my car, the drive shaft guard got all bent up, luckily barely missing the actual drive shaft, this was driving to the grocery store in about 8 inches of snow/ice not true 4x4 - combined with the lack of clearance the real time 4wd is a joke compared to true 4h/4l, the element has to stay up on the road, whereas the gv makes it the whole scary way down to the beach and tears through the sand, downhill in snow? Ha ha

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  Disappointed in Honda - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Neil - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a year ago, thinking about trading. Drives nice, however there is a vibration under the car while accelerating through the lower gears. Honda recalled it for vibration judder software update - made no difference. Took it back - said they heard the noise and was likely due to poor gas. They actually recommended premium gas to remedy "spark ping". Funny since the car only requires regular gas. American Honda Corp then asked me to take it for a second opinion. When I was at the dealer, I saw a guy bringing his odyssey in for same problem. My 97 Sentra sounds better than this car. The car does drive nice, however cant stand this terrible noise. Wouldnt buy Honda again.

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  Nice car - 2001 Honda Civic
  By joe - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Civic with 40k on it. I had to replace the headliner because it was sagging. I am a hated car salesman so I do get a big break on items I also replaced struts a few and cabin filter. The car does very well in the snow and gas mileage is excellent. I paid 5500 for it. I will replace timing belt soon. I am very happy with this car

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  Great Car - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Michael Petersen - November 18 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Honda as a 2002 closeout and have never looked back. While the car has picked up a few dings and scratches here and there over the last 8 years, it has not failed to perform. We put 1500 miles on it over 6 days this past summer while running the A/C and got 36 mpg (all before the 110K checkup). Great gas and oil car. Only issues weve had were replacing the front struts and replaced the V-Tech valve. Only complaint is the front disk pads wear all too quickly (40K miles), but other than that, its a great car.

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  Reliable but has issues. - 2009 Honda Accord
  By run04 - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Accord Coupe brand new. Almost a year later, the clear coat and paint is starting to corrode. Honda is refusing to do anything about it and is blaming the issue on bird droppings. I have never had a car where the clear coat and paint just start to corrode this easily. The A/C really struggles in hot weather (90 degree outside temp)to make the cabin comfortable. Finally figured out that you have to run the A/C on max and recirculate the air for it to be marginally comfortable.

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  Fantastic! - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By Warren - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought the old girl with a little less than 30 000 miles on it. I was was warned never to buy a used rental. ten years later the car has 232,000 miles on it. In those ten years the car let me down once. (A freak electrical thing that ended up being a 50$ fix.) I have not been kind to this car. The thing is gutless (Good lord is it gutless) so I always seem to be over revving the car. I have towed WAY over its rated max weight. Im terrible at maintenance. NEVER changed the oil on time. The car has pocks from a Kansas hailstorm. I,ve been rear ended. I cannot kill this car for love or money. She is starting to show her years now. Just like her owner.

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  Great SUV for what it is. - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By TMG - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I have been very happy with the Pilot overall. Seats are comfortable, I dont think they would be if you are overweight, Im 62", 210 lbs. I dont find the ECO mode annoying, you can notice on the highway when it changes but, not after it rides the same, doesnt affect acceleration. It does have a rougher ride than I expected, more like an SUV than car or crossover. Gas mileage isnt great but you know that going in, we average about 17 mpg. The interior is nice and very functional. It is not a Lexus! To all the people complaining and comparing to other SUVs, spend the extra 10K, 20K or more and then youll have what your looking for. Great car overall, no mechanical problems yet.

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  Great vehicle, but ONE bad experience - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By Brian - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Had 2 Hondas in my lifetime. A CR-V wasnt what I wanted, but I decided to try it, vs. a car. Overall a great time. Short/long trips, hauled people and animals, towed trailers, packed it full, traveled in heat and snow (Great!). Overall reliable vehicle. Ive also enjoyed working on it (weekend mechanic) using Honda and Chilton manuals, saved some money. HOWEVER, Im one of many victims of burned valves (Gen1 engines). Owners were NOT notified of this issue, there WAS a bulletin A03-038 issued to garages, it WAS Preventable, but Repairs for this known problem were at owners expense ($2K+). HONDAS reputation has suffered - Im disappointed, not in CR-V, but in their management.

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  Great SUV - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By jjb4954 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall, the Pilot is everything I expected and more. It is a solid vehicle, like most Hondas are, and it performs as advertised. It is comfortable and solid. I took it on two long trips and it performed flawlessly. My wife and I love the navigation system. It is well worth the extra cost. Gas mileage could be better. I love this car.