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:

• 

  Came Back To Honda - 2006 Honda Accord
  By msiseng - May 3 - 4:03 am

  I came back to Honda after owning luxury vehicles for years. This is a nice car that needs a serious face lift. Ride is smooth and handling is crisp. Resale is fantastic and the value is superior compared to the more expensive "luxury sedans" I currently own or just sold. Why pay thousands more for an Acura when the Accord is very similiar internally? I looked "cool" and spent a lot of money to do it these past few years. Now it is back to basics.

• 

  Great Drive Train, Poor Interior Design - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Mike - May 3 - 2:53 am

  If you want a SUV with good performance and dependability, this is the one you should get. However, if you cares much about internal design, then get another one. This SUV has great engine/trans. and drives smoothly. I dont want to offend any Honda fans here, but the internal design needs quite a lot improvements. The Antenna is old- fashioned, Gas Cap Release is hard to reach, Gear Shift blocks the radio control, Rear Door opens to wrong direction (learned that since it was originally designed for Japanese market), Rear Wiper misses a large area, No Central Console, narrow and deep door pocket makes little things hard to retrieve, Arm Rest is uncomfortable, Fuel Tank is too small ...

• 

  Accellent Accord - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Harry Cullen - May 3 - 1:32 am

• 

  Loved our Honda Civic Hybrids - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Luke Vania - May 3 - 1:09 am

  Honda does not make a Hybrid Civic since 2015

• 

  Need something like it again - 1991 Honda Civic
  By remington raider - May 2 - 11:40 pm

  With 315,000 miles this car has always gotten me home, or at least to my mechanic, under its own power. Ive not babied it. Its gone 110 mph at least twice since turning 300K. Commuting or highway MPG is about 27. We have an 85 with fewer miles and a better styled interior with many more configurations than Ive seen before or since on any vehicle.

• 

  Great SUV for the money - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Asim - May 2 - 9:58 pm

  I am a big Honda fan and biased for Honda over any other car company. This is our second Honda and I love it. The engine is silky smooth and near silent. The ride is nice and quiet. The SUV is great for the family with eight passenger seating and room for everyone. I test drove new GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Mazda CX-9 and even new Acura MDX. But Pilot has everything these other SUVs have plus the great price. Great SUV for the price. Buy and treat yourself!!

• 

  If youre scared of a minivan, get this - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By DCMH - May 2 - 8:38 pm

  Im mad at myself that we didnt get this car sooner. Its got loads of space, performs well in snow, and is very comfortable for all passengers on trips, both long and short. If youve got kids, need more space, and dont want to be seen in a minivan, this car is worthy of your consideration.

• 

  From a Toyota Previa to Odyssey 2005 - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By naseeram - May 2 - 1:33 pm

  Excellent feature set - Honda introduced a minivan feature set that others copied, then Honda took it to the next notch. Good Power, excellent 0 to 60 for a mini van, interior room is good, lots of storage.

• 

  Loved it ! - 1990 Honda Civic
  By UDriveWhat - May 2 - 1:18 pm

  I loved the 90 hatchback that I had. Unfortunately had to sell it in order to make room for the 90 accord I am getting. Something about those old hondas really appeals to me.

• 

  Awesome car - 1995 Honda Civic
  By Civic4g95 - May 2 - 11:52 am

  I bought the car in August of 06. It had an aftermarket header and muffler. I have added rims, tail lights, neons and the interior has been custom painted. The car runs pretty good. It has the 1.6L VTEC-E motor, with a 5 spd tranny. I can run with my dads big v8 truck. The car is built extremely well. It has 190,000 on the motor and it has been put through a lot of racing as it was in a racing club before I bought it and I have been rough on it. I have no problems with the car, uses a little bit of oil and thats it.