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 first Honda - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Shar - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I have only owned the CR-V for 2 weeks now and love it. I am looking forward the seeing how it handles in the snow this coming winter. I am disappointed in the gas mileage, and think some of the " options" should be standard.

• 

  Honda CRV SE - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By KVA - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The only complaint I could have is that it doesnt have quite as much "pickup" as I would like when climbing a mountain road. Still, it doesnt LOSE any speed. Its the most comfortable vehicle Ive owned. Beautiful styling overall. I feel that it has the best parts of station wagons, SUVs, and minivans put together.

• 

  05 odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By jjjjjjjjjjj999 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  wow! This our 3rd Odyssey(99and02)and the 05 is incredible. The only cons are unopening 3rd row window, shift lever position and no available 4wd.

• 

  Nice car for budget concerning people - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Benjemin - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The most impression to me is the gas milage which runs average around 38.Before i decided to buy this car,my wife and I did some research about civic and corolla.By comparing corner to corner I chose the civic.Its more style and fun to drive.Not like corolla,i never felt bumpy.

• 

  Great bang for the buck - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By Pete - January 26 - 7:49 pm

  Today (1/26/05) is my fifth anniversary with this car. It has 50,790 miles, and hasnt given me a minutes trouble. 24 mpg minimum, and a lot of the time it gets 26.5 mpg. I think its a very attractive car, perfect for short commutes. My only gripe is that it is not a very comfortable car, its noisy, and the ride is a little rough. I can last 30 minutes at a time before I feel the need to get out and stretch. Ill be trading for something more comfortable and more useful. This is flashy personal transportation that handles well. Enough room for a weeks groceries in the trunk. No room in the back seat for adults, so forget it, just fold the seat down and leave it that way.

• 

  Highly versatile, Honda quality - 2004 Honda Element
  By DrDM - January 26 - 3:29 pm

  Im at the opposite extreme from Hondas target market (Gen Y) for the Element -- I bought this car as an eminently practical solution to multi- function "retirement car" needs in rural Puget Sound. It regularly surprises and pleases with its thoughful practicality, abundant capacity, eager performance, and unperturbed handling on less-than- ideal road conditions. After 4 months and 5K miles it has yet to reveal a flaw in build quality. The Elements design requires some getting used to. The "window sills" are unusually high, and visibility on the flanks is iffy the wide-opening clamshell doors make loading tough in tight parking stalls. Overall, its a winner!

• 

  2015 Civic - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Jared Nelson - January 26 - 1:44 pm

  Its a great car. Occasionally theres a slight hesitation upon accelerating from being stationary, but otherwise fine. Great design, reliability (so far), performance, gas mileage, electronics, entertainment system, handling on corners, etc.

• 

  2009 FIT Sport w/NAVI - 2009 Honda Fit
  By chas0215 - January 26 - 11:16 am

  This is an ideal subcompact with a high fun to drive factor and great fuel economy (even though it is a bit pricey with navi).

• 

  I love this car! - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Dianalee Imondi - January 26 - 3:20 am

  This car is wonderful.Beautiful, roomy, and a very smooth ride. I get compliments on it all the time. And so economical .

• 

  My first car - 1997 Honda Accord
  By shaun - January 25 - 5:05 pm

  This is the first car Ive owned that I am actually paying for (I just got out of college) and I have to say its a fantastic piece of machinery. For being a "boring family sedan", Honda does a good job of making me like this car. Ive never had any problems with it in the past 9 months owning it, and will probably own it for a while to come.