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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  A very nice car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By mep - November 6 - 5:40 pm

  Pickup is not as agressive as my former Taurus SHO, but adequate in our hilly terain with 4 passengers. More nimble and handles well. Im 64" and have head room. I measured driver side dimensions and its as roomy as our Lumina Van; adequate trunk space for most purposes. Very tolerable on cross country trips, even in the back. Quiet interior, nice stereo.

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  Great but too large - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Ysette - November 6 - 1:11 pm

  I bought this car used after my grandfather died. I would have never chosen a car this large, but in whole I am quite pleased with it. It is very well- built. Everything is solid and it rides well. It gives the driven a firm feel for the road which is important. The leather seats, while too large for me, are well-supporting and easily adjustable. The five-speed transmission shifts smoothly and offers a lot of fun acceleration. The air conditioning works well and doesnt draw too much power from the engine. The fuel economy, while not that of a Civic, is very respectible (~30 mi/gal for my driving). The especially enjoy the sunroof which is automatic.

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  New 2006 Civic Coupe Review - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Lady - November 6 - 6:00 am

  Good driving, great handling. Perfect small car to drive since it is good on gas mileage as well,

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  Reliable!! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Cody - November 6 - 12:17 am

  197,000 miles and still going strong. Have not done a single thing to this ride other than scheduled maintanance. No leaks. It burns a small amount of oil but its almost unnoticeable. Its smooth and spacious. Mpg is better than my 2002 civic. I can get 35+ with cruise control. If you maintain these they will go forever. Have full intentions on another 200,000 miles

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  Excellent overall - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By fosterdogg - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Researched SUVs for about 8 months and finally decided on the CRV after my wife asked me to test drive it. I loved it immediately. When I compared numbers on paper I was even more impressed, I will guarante that you will not find a vehicle in this class/range with the combination of efficiency, safety, reliability, affordability, and fun. Also, dont let some errors in recent advertising deceive you, the CRV tied with Subaru Forester for best in class for safest vehicle by the current IIHS data (www.iihs.org). This is my third Honda purchase (2 Accords previously), you will find better warranties out there, but you wont need one with a Honda.

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  The Perfect SUV - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By BuffaloNY - November 5 - 2:00 am

  This truck is a dream come true. It rides more like a car (being a Honda Accord / Odyssey underneath w/unibody construction) than a truck. It seats five comfortably and an extra three in the way back 3rd row comfortably, but with tight legroom. Lots of great cargo space. Lots of elbow room. Great seating position, comfortable front seats. Ergonomics cant be beat. Lots of handy cubbys in which to stuff stuff.

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  awesome suv - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By dicks - November 5 - 2:00 am

  just returned from my first road trip- freeway and oregon coast, far superior to my 99 Grand Cherokee and almost as much fun as my audi quattro.

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  Best minivan on the market - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By tyhyuj6 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle accomplished many goals .It is proven to be one the out of 3 minivans one out the safest. From all the minivans it is the most realiable

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  No regrets at all - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Happy in St. Louis - November 5 - 1:06 am

  The Honda Pilot is everything people say about Hondas and then some. The craftsmanship is superb, and I cant find a glitch with this vehicle. Friends and family alike agree that the car handles the road like a sedan, but then you have all of the utility of an SUV. I knew from prior experience that I could not go wrong with a Honda, but I am even more impressed than I expected. The car speaks for itself, because two of my neighbors, one relative, and one co-worker have bought one since I bought mine.

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  Nicest CRV - 2017 Honda CR V
  By RC - November 4 - 9:30 pm

  We are highly satisfied with the decision to pick the CRV from our list of three finalists. It drives really well, the safety features/technology work well, the ride is miles ahead of what we had with the 2013 Accord (rode like a truck), lots of room, turbo really takes care of hilly terrain. The interior is attractive and the car is well finished overall. The 2017 CRV presents a very convincing argument; it is hard to find a better engineered product at this price point and a vehicle that does what it is supposed to do, period. One negative item... Check the undercarriage; my Canadian made CRV had numerous rust spots on the suspension parts, such as bolts, struts and bushing brackets (anything made out of carbon steel), It showed evidence that it was driven over salted down road from the factory to the shipping dock, pretty serious rust despite of only having 18 miles driven when i picked it up. This is something that is not very evident when shopping around and easy to ignore due to the "new car fever" and other distractions. The dealer after some "friendly arguing" agreed to remove the rust spots and applied some preservative; the mechanic did a really nice job, helped us and Honda avoid unnecessary repairs/costs in the future. Another negative item...A month after with roughly 600 miles driven, the battery is dead after the car was parked at the airport for 7 days; a new battery was purchased (was not refunded). Two months after that the battery is again dead, this time in my own garage. This has been the only problem. A very positive item...Took the car to the dealer and they quickly fixed the problem by re-loading a new version of the software . The car has been parked as long as 10 days a few times, no more dead battery. Fuel economy is averaging 30 MPG (combined driving), worst in town only was 24 MPG, best highway only was 39 MPG. Regrets.... i wish i had purchased the Touring model with all the "toys". Great product, i recommend it to any one.