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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  I love my Honda - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Marco Gonzales - January 25 - 11:38 am

  My 2003 Accord LX is as good as it was when I bought it in 2003. With 267,844 miles it still runs like the day I bought it. Of course I kept the maintenance and changed the timing belt and water pump every 60K miles. I will be buying 2016 Accord in April.

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  2011 Honda Fit Review - 2011 Honda Fit
  By Chris - January 23 - 10:56 pm

  The car rides very sporty and handles very well on the road. Good acceleration and braking. Very efficient fuel wise. Can put much larger things in the hatchback cargo area when back seats are pushed forward. Much larger cargo area than regular sedans. A fun car to drive.

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  great little car - 1998 Honda Civic
  By andy birmingham - January 22 - 5:51 pm

  my son and i purchased this car in 09. he was a junior in high school, now he is a senior at unniversity of ar, started out at 28,000 miles now has 112,000 miles. we have replaced radiator, 2 water pumps , 2 timing belts , head gasket job, thermo stat , brake pads, right front door window regulator , new, interior, new hubcaps and $200,00 econo paint.................. the honda is just like new and we sure enjoy it........................ my son charlie likes it and loves the 35 mpg .............. he stated that he would drive it another 7 years and then apply for antique plates................. one of the best vehicles ever built . sincerely, andy birmingham

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  Honda Odyssey is a must for families - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By MGO - January 20 - 8:48 am

  We have gotten every penny out of this car. It is 11 years old and still only requires routine/expected maintenance. It is great for packing in a bunch of people comfortably. My only criticism might be that the middle seat belts (2nd and 3rd row) hit too high on neck even for an adult (58"). That is something to consider when you count out how many people/kids you will routinely transport. Really cant go wrong with any Honda, in my opinion.

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  Love it! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By ishanklin1301@yahoo.com - January 18 - 12:11 pm

  This is a great car for the price.

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  Great little car, not up to brutal winters - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Johannes Smith - January 17 - 10:56 am

  So, I should start with the positive - bought a 2010 Insight EX in 2015. On the used market, theyre going for sub 10K, and that means that entry level combustion engine cars are the same price as entry level hybrids. I had to give the hybrid a shot! In all the classic measurements of a car, the Insight excels. Acceleration is solid, it gets on the highway comfortably and can speed up to avoid hazards. Food for thought here, this car does 0-60 in 11.9 seconds. That compares to the gasoline Lancer of the same year at 11.4 seconds. The difference in fuel economy is a staggering 26MPG vs 43MPG. Ill leave you to do the cost/benefit analysis there. The interior is very comfortable, I love the seats. Safety features are cool (Im upgrading from a cromagnon car with 1 airbag, so Im excited to see 5 obvious airbags). The headlights on the EX are dazzlingly bright. For issues, there are 2 minor design flaws. Cabin view is not great - rearward visibility could be better with better pylon placement. The hatchback could also be roomier, it gets pretty tight back there. These are minor flaws - the view is most of the way there, and the hatchback is a great feature decently executed. The most perplexing issue with this overall great car is the winter performance. I am a Chicagoan. Sometimes, Chicago winter is colder than the dark side of the moon (seriously). This winter has been average. The Insights electric engine does not engage below a given temperature, usually below 20-30. The gasoline engine provides decent to good driving performance, but a much lower fuel efficiency. Im averaging 31MPG in January. Also, the A/C unit is relatively weak, so it takes a significant amount of time to get the car hot. Maybe its attempting to route heat to the hybrid drives battery, Im not sure - in either case, winter performance is out of line with general performance.

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  Very clean and fun car hard to find si jdm - 1990 Honda Prelude
  By Ricky - January 17 - 9:25 am

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  LISTEN TO ME - 2013 Honda Accord
  By John B - January 14 - 8:28 am

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  Rock solid,easy to drive,great family vehicle - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Bob Kroha - January 14 - 7:18 am

  We bought this 2006 Honda Pilot with 14,000 miles on the odometer and could not be more pleased. The Pilot now has 216,000 miles on it and runs as good as the day we bought it. Maintenance over the years has been brakes , rotors , a timing belt at 140,000 miles. Other than standard upkeep , the radiator was replaced ( pin hole leak ) and an alternator around 200,000 miles. We still make comfortable trips from Ma to Nyc.It is still the vehicle of choice when transporting the grandchildren to various functions ,soccer and hockey games. We have even had two adults in the third row seat for one of our evenings out. We will now look at a 2016 Pilot because my daughter wants this one. Great Car. Hope the new Pilot is as good.

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  Love my new car - 2015 Honda Fit
  By Joanna - January 13 - 11:42 am

  I test drove all the compacts on the market and this one was the best on my key factors. I wanted good pickup and fun to drive and 2 full size adults to fit in the back seat. The Honda Fit has all that plus more! I got the 6-speed manual transmission because its so fun to drive!