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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  Perfect Commuter Car - 2005 Honda Insight
  By HP Laborde - August 1 - 2:04 am

  Needed a daily driver: I drive approximately 40,000 year in Calif and need reliable, comfortable, peppy, economical transportation. The climate control is wonderful. If you dont try to get 65-70mpg the car hauls you know what! Ive already got almost 2,000 miles on it in 1 week of ownership with avg of 62 mpg even driving over 95 mph on some spurts!

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  Quick and Fun - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Mike - August 1 - 12:00 am

  The vehicle is sporty for a Honda Coupe as it is matched with the 240 HP and the 6 speed manual along with a modification of the suspension. However, gas mileage is not terribly good, although for long trips in the sixth gear, you can actually get close to the high 20s MPG. Vehicle is fun to drive. I wanted a NAV package with the vehicle but could not find one. Vehicle has potential for a popular sports coupe if it had more HP and torque.

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  Best Convertible Ive ever driven!!! WOW - 2005 Honda S2000
  By RodneyMullen - July 31 - 9:21 pm

  This is an absolute sling shot! I had no intentions of ever buying a car of this class and style, yet I was intrigued at the price and had to test drive. SOLD INSTANTLY! I had to have it, if youve never driven this vehicle go do it now... You will never regret the money spent I promise!

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  1.6 liters is pleanty of engine - 1995 Honda Civic
  By JAM from NY - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is a very peppy car. The manual transmission is smooth and the routine maintenance is easy since the fluid resevoirs are very accessible. Extremely reliable. Still gets 35 miles/gallon.

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  Great Car - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By rahilio - July 31 - 10:00 am

  dont go in there thinking this is an off road vehicle just go in there thinking the comfort as apposed to a regular car and size and protection the accelerartion is great very spacious inside and very unique

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  I love my Honda - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Geebo - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I have had the car for about 3 months now and I love it. Its by far the best car that I have had thus far. It handles well, it has excellent pick up, and I feel safe (especially with the crash test results). The only negative thing that I can think of is that the car is light. You wont find yourself all over the road, but you can tell that the bumps push you to the right or left a little. All-in-all, I give it a 9.4 rating. I wouldnt trade it in for anything else out there on the road.

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  Best efficiency by a long shot - 2001 Honda Insight
  By Charlie - July 31 - 1:22 am

  If you really want high mpg, this is the car to get. Ive got 83 mpg average since Ive owned it, and 93 mpg on the last tank. People worry about cargo capacity, etc., but Ive fit some pretty huge things in, and for the gas savings, you can rent a U-haul when you need it.

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  Sporty, faithful, low-maintenance car - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Samantha - July 30 - 5:26 pm

  I bought this car used from a friend who was upgrading to an SUV. It already had 165K on it with no surface rust (I live in WNY, thats huge). I was a college chick and needed a car that took me everywhere in every season and didnt break the bank. My family swears by Honda/Toyota. Honda never disappoints. PROS: This car has only been in the shop for a taillight fuse, has only ever needed oil changes and air filters. The mileage is wonderful, EXTREMELY safe. Its been hit by a snow plow. Its spun out on the highway going 80mph, with only minor bumper damage (we zip-tied the bumper back on and kept driving). Decent sound, roomy interior, I still get compliments on the sporty exterior and space-age controls even though its 10 years old. Ive camped in it, the rear seats fold down and you can layer some blankets in there if tenting in the rain is not your thing. CONS: You will need SNOW TIRES. I live in Buffalo, NY. I love driving in snow. I have Continental all-seasons and its no match for snow, lots of sliding around, I have to drive in low gear constantly. My old 99 Cavalier sliced-and-diced a foot of unplowed snow with ease, this Civic is hard to handle in a few inches of it. A bit jumpy on acceleration, decent road noise over 65mph (expected). OVERALL: All-around amazing car. Affordable, reliable, sporty. On a Honda, 180K miles is just breaking in the engine. I plan on driving it into the ground.

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  Plastic is not a good quality - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Devan From San Diego - July 30 - 9:33 am

  I like this car. But it is such a lightweight that plastic on left hand side makes noise on bumpy ride. I showed it to dealership. They fixed it. But it again started making noise after two days. Also power on acceleration is not good. It is not able to drive fast enough on hilly roads. It starts charging battery on the middle of the hilly roads, rather than waiting for a while. That makes cars power stink.

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  Best Sub-compact SUV in the City - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By BuckNC - July 30 - 9:03 am

  Ive rode it for over a 1k miles and I can confirm its truly the best City SUV out there. Naturally, if you live in the country or Iowa you probably should look elsewhere. Pros: -Looks great -Small turning range -Honda Lane Change (Life Saver) -Honda Back-up camera (Life Saver) -Ample cargo space -Ample Front Row seating (Im a 5 11" big guy and Im very comfortable in the driver seat) -Bluetooth -Touchpad Climate Control (Some stupid old school Auto Critic argued they missed the knobs. The thing to remember is the old-school Critics are the Knobs. Apparently, they never used a Touchpad or Smart Phone.) -Great Gas mileage (35 mpg on the highway as promised) -Sunroof Cons: -Hondas Android apps are useless (Dont expect Honda to ever upgrade them to being useful.) -Garmins Navigation that Honda uses (Honda give it up and just install Android Auto in every Honda so we can all use Google Maps or Wave.) -This is nit-picky but the front windshield wipers are both on the drivers side. The Passenger wipers uses an exceptionally long arm to wipe the windshield. Which when its not running during a rainstorm and youre speeding down the highway it shakes. Annoying. -Windows could be a bit thicker to keep out the road noise.