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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  Poor Quality! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Kim Laidlaw - May 11 - 2:41 pm

  We are very disappointed in this vehicle. So far weve encountered the PAX tire fiasco (tires wore out early and are over priced to replace). Under powered battery for the vehicle which gave out early. Rear backup sensors break easily and are also overly expensive to fix. Left rear shock is leaking. Also, in the shop for two recall notices so far (soft brake pedal, transmission shudder). All of this in a van only 3 years old and under 45K miles!

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  Great car for the price - 2001 Honda Civic
  By jurrylu - May 11 - 1:59 am

  Bought the car stock for under 4g back in 08 with 60k miles. I drove over 40k on it so far and no problems at all. I drive the hell out of it too, doing stuff like burnouts and dumping the clutch. First gear and second gears are really fast, but 3 and 4 are useless for acceleration. And to be doing 80 on the highway in 5th gear it will rev pretty high into the 4000s. The engine gets pretty loud at high revs just the way I like it, the car it self is actually very quiet inside. Bottom line: not the fastest or most stylish of cars, but it gets the job done at a good price and almost free maintenance!

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  Open your mind and think about this truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By boatshop - May 11 - 12:20 am

  Im one of those who has a lot of use for a truck, but who doesnt much like the traditional pickup arrangement. Honda did an intelligent job of rethinking the pickup and came up with something that for this user, continues to make a whole lot of sense. Ive hauled a great deal with it, from wobbly old wooden boats to loads of lumber, carrying 6500 pounds at 70 mph over hundreds of miles sometimes. This truck can do the work. Meanwhile, I can keep my tools secure in the trunk, not out in an open bed. I can carry long lumber and spars on the roof rack. Its awesome on snowy, variable roads, or blasting down a dirt road at 40 mph. 87k on the first set of tires. Dont get the RT--the seats stain

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  1st Civic. 1st Honda - 2010 Honda Civic
  By NEW_H_GUY - May 10 - 8:22 pm

  Just purchased new Civic LX 2 days ago. Really impressed with the build quality and overall value. Much better than 09 Corolla I traded. Hope to keep the car at least 10-15 years. Only potential issue is a vibration that starts at about 45-50+ mph (feels like a tire out of balance). Noticed it on 125 mile drive home from dealership. I was going to have it checked at the first oil change at the dealer, but now read someone else has had the same problem and a service bulletin has been issued. Other than that (hopefully) minor issue, Im very pleased with Honda products.

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  Paint Quality - 2010 Honda Fit
  By george clifford - May 10 - 5:39 pm

  The Honda Fit is a clever and useful car. This is my 6th Honda in 30 years. Like many of its kin, the Fit is easily dinged up in parking lots , so I ordered the side molding. Any contact with the bumpers is pulling off the Silver paint. Ive had 3 small spots rubbed bare to the black plastic by a carelessly opened door, a rubbing parking car tire and a leaning garden tool touching the bumpers. Its only 4 months old. This cant be normal. Painted bumpers are stupid anyways but this paint is too soft ! (Or not sticking) And there is a huge area of plastic surrounding this car.

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  Nice Car - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Mide - May 10 - 12:36 pm

  If you want a 34 MPG Mixed driving car that has a ton of storage room then this car is for you. Low insurance, Great exterior styling, nice 5-gear auto. You are trading off a bunch of interior features like the steering wheel audio controls and overall interior quality. Also the tires on the 16" rim are very unusual so finding replacements = not a fun time with no enough options. I like the car for what it is. A to B daily commuter but as a real "car" that you should be proud of, it is definitely not.

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  almost 1 yr old - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Billj9876 - May 10 - 12:32 pm

  I have driven in all 4 seasons and commute 75% highway miles. I am seeing > 50 MPG in summer, dropping to 46-47 during freezing weather. Max 1 tank average was 56 MPG. I live in the North East and dont see extreme lows or highs. I do have moderate hills to negotiate on my commute. Hwy speeds are typically 65-70 MPH. I do pay attention to acceleration but will blend with traffic as far as speed. I dont run AC or Defrost much (only at cruse speeds). I am outperforming the econo mode. It was useful for learning to drive conservatively but I have not used it for 6 months.

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  Decent but not great - 2003 Honda Civic
  By McSteve - May 9 - 6:35 pm

  This vehicle has been a pretty good day to day driver but the attention to detail is been lacking. Fuel economy is great and 7 years later feels tight and drives like new - but it is not without its issues. After two weeks of ownership, the interior fabric fell off the doors and need to be reglued. Stabilizer links failed at 80,000 km. Air conditioner failed at 90,000 km (55,000 miles). Exhaust manifold was cracked at 100,000 km (63,000 miles).

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  5 1/2 years without a problem - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Arnie - May 6 - 12:11 pm

  Have owned my 2005 CR-V-SE since new and the only thing I ever have done to it is meticulous maintenance and a tensioner went bad while it was under warranty. Best car Ive ever owned. Have owned Camrys Maximas and previously American cars and would only buy Honda in the future. Best dealer I found for service is Coggin Honda in Orlando, FL.

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  Not worth the money - 2010 Honda Civic
  By ric7744 - May 4 - 11:13 pm

  I no longer own this car. I sold it one month after buying it. Road noise is horrible. The LX version lacks some features standard for a car in this price range like a pop trunk on the remote control. The biggest problem was this car had the worst air conditioning I have ever seen. When you have it on fresh air it blows warmer than normal and when the a/c is on the compressor cycles on and off constantly I guess to save gas and never really get super cold. At a stop sign it really is not cold. I took it to two dealers and they said that is just the way Hondas have it set up. I became fed up with the car in general and it is now gone. Also has a really goofy dash that I could not get used to.