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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  Just OK - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Andy - April 11 - 9:27 pm

  A good truck to drive. Plenty of power when not pulling a load or loaded down. Mileage less than advertised. When pulling a lite trailer mileage at 65 mph dropped to 9 miles per gallon on a level road. Terrible wind noise. Has Honda heard of a wind tunnel? Temperature control/air flow instrument is ridiculous. forget trying to read it if you are farsighted. They are all clustered in a small poorly backlit gauge. Need reading glasses to see tiny icons. Same goes for for small compass in mirror. Need glasses to see direction.Lots of storage but layout is poor. Better if it had a single fold-down console. Thinking of trading it in for a Frontier.

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  My First Accord - 2006 Honda Accord
  By My First Accord - April 11 - 5:56 pm

  My first new car purchased and after five months of driving couldnt be happier with it. Overall its a solid car. Plenty of luxury for a nonluxury nameplate car. I decided to get the 6 cycl to be comparable to the power of my previous car a 93 Chrysler Concorde, but also for the better look of dual exhausts and stability control not offered in the 4 cycl. Love the driver friendly interior layout, from the white lighted dashboard to the intuitive controls. Folding down rear seats is rather cumbersome.

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  2002 4WD Honda Passport - 2002 Honda Passport
  By Jody - April 11 - 4:20 pm

  Except for substantial wind noise, and some body integrity issues, this has been a fairly reliable vehicle. I just got new tires and it has improved greatly. It runs great in the 4WD mode for heavy snow. The front seat seems to "fade" and needs adjusting fairly regularly. Gas mileage is average for a midsized SUV. Before I got new tires, it seemed to have several rattles, but this is improved with new rubber. I would recommend replacing the tires before you need to. There is plenty of room in the back seat, and lots of storage when rear seats are folded down. I intend to keep it til it dies, much to the chagrin of the mechanics. They dont like to work on them.

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  07 Ridgeline - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By JEFF - April 11 - 11:55 am

  Excellent ride, solid quality feel. Great engine, intake, and exhaust sound. Throaty V-8 sound. Fuel mileage is on the low side, but dealer says it will improve around 10,000 miles.

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  No way 21 mpg! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By john - April 11 - 4:37 am

  I average 15mpg with my 2006 Ridgeline. The service writer told me the best to expect is 18mpg. Low power and poor mpg. Cramped interior. I bought because of the truck of the year hype.

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  Greatest car I have owned! - 2005 Honda Civic
  By ssdavis33198 - April 11 - 4:10 am

  I purchased this car after putting 169,285 miles on a 1996 Accord. The Civic offered everything that I was looking for and more. I drive 40 miles one way to work, 6 days a week and I only have to fill up once a week. When I do fill up, it doesnt cost me a body part because the gas tank is small. My wife, mom, and brother liked my car so much that they went to the dealership and traded their cars in for Civics.

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  Liked Previous Gen Better - 2010 Honda Accord
  By azbosox - April 11 - 1:33 am

  Years ago I owned a 2004 Honda Accord EX 4cyl and I have to say I thought it was a much better car. The new Accord is significantly larger which is great for some but it shows when cornering and the body begins to roll. The standard amenities are fantastic, but the interior audio buttons are made for Mr. Magoo and just too large. The engine is peppy but performance of the car is boring and not involving at all. The exterior design of the car is mediocre at best with odd curvature lines in places. Seats hurt my back after a road trip from CA to AZ and the build quality feels very cheap. That being said fuel economy is fantastic.

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  Dont buy - 2000 Honda Passport
  By laura0181 - April 10 - 11:10 pm

  I have heard numerous horror stories that are so similar to the problems Ive been having my Passport. Lots of other owners have reported problems with a sporatic gas gauge, non- functioning intermitten wiper setting, ERG valve trouble, and oil that seems to rapidly dissappear mysteriously.

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  Sweet machine - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Jennifer Nightingale - April 10 - 8:23 pm

  Great handling, nice design style, great mileage (actually getting what the sticker indicated) and lastly, excellent dealer service (our fifth purchase from this dealer).

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  This is Elementary Dear Doctor Watson. - 2007 Honda Element
  By Ted - April 10 - 5:58 pm

  The Element has most beautiful interior (extreme?) . I like especially the heavy-duty flooring , removable back seats and the fabric . Element is very agile little SUV, it has excellent transmission. I really appreciate Honda for placing polymer panels in places where Hondas notoriously rust and get bumped - the fenders , front and back over bumpers and thresholds. Element is very roomy car , it handles very nicely and I love its Boxy Lego-like looks.. My element like to sip the gas though , I wonder why Â…. But since it has 75 cubic feet cargo room it is not a tragic situation. All things considered, the Element offers excellent value for the dollar and I am extremely happy .