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:

• 

  My Accord is Not Yours! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Marco - December 12 - 12:33 am

  I love this car thr fuel economy is great and fun to drive never lets you down, and looks good too, not as good as BMW 3, but it is roomier and a lot more reliable.

• 

  CRV ***5 STARS*** - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By LiSa - December 11 - 8:59 pm

  I am a former Civic owner and purchased my CRV last year and I love it! It handles so much better than my Civic and its fun to drive. It is virtualy maintainence free with scheduled oil chnages every 5,000 miles or 6 months. I think that its the best in its class.

• 

  Great car, my second Civic - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Steve - December 11 - 12:56 pm

  This generation Civic is the best to date. I owned a 1996 Civic for just over 12 years; I loved it before the wreck. I was just shy of 240,000 miles. My 2008 Civic is even better, more refined, comfortable, powerful and better looking. And most of all still have all the attributes that loved about my first Civic. To anyone who has driven other small cars in this class, its the best. To those who are down grading from cars like a BMW 3 series, come on, this is a Civic and goes for 20 grand less, dont compare.

• 

  Not your average SUV - 2005 Honda Element
  By Thomas - December 10 - 1:50 pm

  Not your average SUV. The Element is EXACTLY what a SUV should be .... versital, functional, and of course fun to drive. What more could one ask ?? And of course it is a HONDA !! Seeing that my first Honda, a 1990 CRX is still on the road that is saying quite a bit.

• 

  Love my 2016 Pilot - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Mark Behrendt - December 10 - 1:26 pm

• 

  Great car - 2005 Honda Element
  By F Smith - December 10 - 11:33 am

  I purchased the vehicle to carry college supplies on 5-6 hour trips. It has not disappointed us at all. The interior is spacious and holds a lot more than might appear from the outside. The front seats are very comfortable and it handles very well. Even on long drives, I do not feel tired and dont feel the need to stop to stretch etc. The back seats are easy to take out and then reinstall. Shortcomings include its seating capacity, which is only 4 people, and its donut spare time (the wheel well is not large enough to house a full size spare). I highly recommend this vehicle and would definitely consider purchasing another one.

• 

  Honda Accord - 2005 Honda Accord
  By David Rich - December 10 - 4:16 am

  First Class vehicle. Fit and finish is excellent. Performance is outstanding considering this is a 3.0 liter vehicle and takes REGULAR Gas.

• 

  MY LIFE=MY LUDE SH - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By John Smith - December 10 - 3:53 am

  I own a Prelude SH with 105k miles, it just runs amazing, in my school we have started a prelude team, we have in our school alone 5 preludes, each memeber put in alot of effort in finding one. i have to only SH out of the group, and even though i have the most milage i can take any of thier ludes, you just have to take care of them, u cant drive em like a camry, u have to have a compassionate love for the car so you will put in money and time, my weekdays are all school and work, and my weekends are all for my prelude. the ATTS SH is amazing, you will feel the difference people! over all it was my dream car and i finally got it, and people turn thier heads twice when my SH rolls by all stk

• 

  LOVE OUR CIVIC - 2001 Honda Civic
  By tanyaf - December 9 - 10:00 am

  We have nothing but great things to say about this car. It is reliable, sporty, quick and efficient.

• 

  Bragging rights - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Milton S - December 9 - 10:00 am

  The car drove like any other car except I saved LOTS of money.