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:

• 

  Best Sports Car Of All Time! - 2007 Honda S2000
  By Sweet2K - September 10 - 3:57 am

  Owned many cars over the years, several being of the sports variety. This car smokes! The only bad point, if you could call it that, is everyone that sees you wants to race. Their mistake, this car eats everything alive.

• 

  AWESOME - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Jason - September 10 - 3:53 am

  This car is great. The LX has everything I would want in a car. The price may be a little more than the Corolla, but I feel the quality isnt even comparable. The ride is SMOOTH. I have the automatic and the shifts are so smooth you cant feel them sometimes. I LOVE everything about this. I have no complaints thus far

• 

  Great daily runner - 2006 Honda Element
  By W.Li - September 9 - 11:25 pm

  Best daily runner I have had since my first car in 1958. Quiet, strong, rattle-free, and stable at moderate speeds. Very good on long distance trips, only one my wife can actually get some sleep in on real long night drives. Getting 26mpg on a 5-speed in mixed 50-50 driving on a daily basis. Real easy to park.

• 

  Civic - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Azhar - September 9 - 10:45 pm

  Really nice and smooth drive. Looks good too.

• 

  Nice Car but Some Complaints - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Elena - September 9 - 9:20 am

  This to me seemed like a nice modest sedan, priced nice, safe, and its a Honda. I recently bought it and am disappointed. First of all I had my husband break in the first 3000 miles and I started driving it a little over a month ago. I got this car for mostly driving around town, a grocery getter for my family. Im a very conservative driver, the gas mileage is very disappointing, I am averaging 12 mpg city and 19 hwy, which is not at all what I expected. I brought it back to the dealer and the mechanic told me that all cars started like that, but it has not increased. I like the car, its very smooth but too much power for fwd. Its been in once for warranty for a leak in the weatherstripping.

• 

  Very Enjoyable - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Pablo - September 8 - 9:30 pm

  Got 25 MPG on first tank of gas during break in, taking it very easy. Now getting 18 MPG in easy city driving. You have to baby this thing to get the EPA mileage (MPG numbers are from EPA, not Honda). Ride quality, comfort and driving experience are excellent IMO. Very well engineered and designed machine. Assembly quality is not perfect, but better than most brands, and good enough for me. Interior area is very well layed out, practical and attractive. One small rattle in sunroof went away by itself after one month. No significant quality problems yet. Small possible valve tick is somewhat annoying but probably no big deal. This van is a pleasure to drive.

• 

  Gits R Done - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Jenflex - September 8 - 5:06 pm

  What Ive enjoyed most has been this vehicles "gameness." Last winter we had 3 separate storms of over 1 of snow apiece. Husbands pickup got stuck, but my CR-V just chugged on through. Short wheelbase means it will turn on a dime. Not sure about the rear differential. Im starting to hear weird noises at 66K miles. Still, Id buy it again, although I think Id go with a RAV-4 now rather than the redesigned CR-V. The new Honda is smaller, and doesnt have the table.

• 

  Fuel Consumption - Litres/100 km - mpg - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By disapointedone - September 8 - 12:29 pm

  I have been carefully monitoring and charting the fuel consumption for 2 months since I purchased the vehicle. The posted ratings on my window sticker were: City - 14.1 L/100 km (20 mi/imp-gal or 16.7 mi/us-gal) Highway - 9.7 L/100 km (29.1 mi/imp- gal or 24.2 mi/us-gal) The actual average fuel consumption for a variety of driving conditions is Actual - 16.6 Litres/100km (17 miles/imp-gal or 14.2 miles/us-gal) The best highway fuel consumption Ive had from a weekend driving trip just matched the city rating shown above.

• 

  A mature year - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By josamars - September 7 - 9:42 pm

  The Odyssey 2004, seems to be the model where the generation that started in 1999 got almost perfect. Most of the minor flaws that affected previous models were corrected, on the other side it does not suffer the early glitches of the new generation (AC failures). This minivan does everything right. Ive been leasing it and plan to buy. Zero problems in 3 years. Some friends driving Chrysler are already "pals" of the dealer technicians.

• 

  very nice car - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By John1007 - September 7 - 4:30 pm

  For what it is I think this is a great car. You sit up high enough that you are not being run over but not in one of these huge gas guzzlers. The motor is not very powerful which is one of the reasons for getting the manual tranny. You can set the cruise for 80mph and it will go all day. Good inventment