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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  Not what I expected - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By The Shoe - July 31 - 8:23 pm

  Honda does not have a power adjustable seat for the passenger. The steering wheel controls do not light up enough to see at night. The instrument cluster and the radio and temp controls do not match. The radio and heater look like something from 20 years ago. (Dim and dull.) The gas mileage is not what they claim. I dont have a heavy foot, but can only get about 15 in town and 24 on the highway. The interior is very good for hauling 7 people, and comfortable. All in all, this is my first Honda, and with a few improvements I would buy another. I was afraid of the run flat tires, and it is too bad that you have to get them to get more bells and whistles. Lets hope they change.

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  Car, err, Truck, err.. ?? - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Chuck - July 31 - 4:23 pm

  I have had this car 1 month and have put 1200 miles on it. This is a great car err, truck.. ?? I hesitate because it rides smooth like a car, has plenty of room inside like a car, has a trunk like a car, duel ac, heated seats, heated mirrors, electric windows, all 5!, corners, has pick up like a car. But this thing has a 5 foot bed!. This is a great ride. I love it!!

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  The worst car I ever owned - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Daniel Allentown, Pa - July 31 - 1:33 pm

  You have heard about the Honda Civic lasting forever... think again. This has been the worst car I have ever purchased. My problems all began when I had to take the vehicle to get the rotors resurfaced at 7800 miles. They told me it was because of wear-and-tear. BULL. I had to replace the rotors three times w/in 50000 miles. I had to get the carpet inside replaced twice because it was getting a hole under the clutch because there was a piece of metal underneath that was not smooth. I also had to replace the button and locking mechanism for the lever that opens the trunk and the gas cap. That happened twice. The worst was when I tried to unlock it and the whole thing came out.

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  Accord is nice - 2008 Honda Accord
  By john - July 31 - 5:33 am

  After driving my old accord to almost 250,000 I bought this beautiful 2008 EX-L accord. What a car, design, ride, comfort, 270 watt audio system, I love this car.

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  Mid-Sized Have It All Truck - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Allan - July 31 - 3:11 am

  Traded in my 2016 Tacoma TRD-Offroad, Double-Cab, Long-Bed truck to get the new Ridgeline. I was forced to down-size after moving across the country to a house with a crowded garage. My F150 just barely fit in our garage and leaving it outside isnt an option due to the brutal sun and hail storms of Colorado. I had to choose between the Tacoma and the Colorado truck when I down-sized at the time. Definitely wasnt thrilled with either option, but the Tacoma edged-out the Colorado. My Tacoma (and the Colorado) have lack-luster acceleration. Driving the Tacoma to work and back on not-so-wonderful roads was punishing at times. Sure the Tacoma is a great off-road vehicle, but it needs much better manners to be a daily driver. I could go on about the Tacoma, but Ill stop here. The 2017 Ridgeline I was a little skeptical about, but I was really wanting to find a better mid-sized truck option. When the Ridgeline was available in my area for a test drive I had to try it out. My wife had a 2013 Honda Pilot that we really liked and I knew this new truck had the latest version of the engine from the Pilot. Wow! What a difference! Smooth, quiet, powerful, and much roomier inside the cabin. My son couldnt sit in the back of my Tacoma as his head would be touching the roof of the cab. The Ridgeline has plenty of head room for my son and in spite of the really cool stadium rear seating in the Ridgeline, he still has inches of head room to spare. The Ridgeline has already delivered as high as 30MPG for me on the highway and I can average 25-26MPG in mixed driving (I do use the ECON mode about half the time). The lowest Ive seen it get while driving in the mountains was a tad over 22MPG. This is using the lower octane gas (85). The ride is smooth, just a little stiffer than our Pilot due to have a suspension more suitable for a truck. The handling is awesome. The AWD and suspension made it a fun vehicle to drive on the twisty mountain roads. In fact, the AWD is full-time torque-vectoring, very much like what you would get in a Subaru. Before looking into the Ridgeline, I assumed it would be FWD by default and then the rear wheels kick-in when needed, but not so... We will be pulling a camping trailer later with the Ridgeline (probably one that weighs around 3200lbs as the max towing capacity is 5000lbs, also a trailer brake controller will be installed on the Ridgeline) and I will report on how that goes. The only thing about the Ridgeline that I find a little annoying is that the brake peddle is a little mushier than what Im used to. BTW...this truck is fast and highly responsive!

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  Great car so far - 2002 Honda Accord
  By pat357575 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Had this car for a couple of months. Great car. Interior quality is not even comparable to domestics, same with reliability and gas mileage. Engine power is so-so. it gives enough power to merge in, thats about it. It could use a few more horses. If you dont want to spend allot of money on repair bills and gas, then this is the car for you

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  i love my car - 2004 Honda Civic
  By shaye neal - July 30 - 10:00 am

  i love my car it is a great and very reliable car!!! :)

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  Wouldnt buy another Honda - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Mitsumi - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Immediately after the 36000 mile warranty expired, the doors started to rattle. The car is not even 2 years old. Honda is falling in quality work it looks like. I did a search on the Accord and a lot of people are having problem with this car. Wouldnt recommend this car to anybody. I will be ditching this car once I have enough money for a downpayment.

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  Increasingly Disappointed - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Conner** - July 30 - 10:00 am

  It is almost 2 years since we bought this car, and weve always been happy with it. But lately its been having some problems. When u shift from Park to anything else, sometimes the button wont press all the way and the car wont shift. Also the paint is just chipping off on the front bumper for no reason. This makes me extremely angry. The dealership still hasnt been able to fix the window rattles. I hope the problems go away when we get the car fixed. Or Ill be angry and filing the car under lemon law.

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  Awesome new design - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Chrissy - July 30 - 4:00 am

  We also own a 94 Civic and it has been a very reliable and economical car. We looked at the many competitors. The Civic was more stylish and comfortable than any of the others. We fell in love with the dash design on the redesigned Civic. We have owned the car for 2 weeks and no regrets. The car drives smoothly and draws second glances from people as we drive by. This car is of the same quality of cars twice this price. If you havent looked at the Civic yet, go for a test drive. (Try going for a test drive after the sun has gone down. The way the dash lights up is incredible!) Honda is a great company and they build a very reliable car. Bravo Honda!