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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  Great Car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Tomwaits - January 16 - 2:20 am

  I drive ~90% city driving and just hit 31 mpg w/ 3000 miles on the odometer. Still no highway data, but mpg is still improving. Keeping the speed under 70 makes a huge difference in mpg. Great shifting w/ paddles and terrific handling. Interior design is excellent and w/ magic seats, I fit my 611" surfboard inside. Lack of dead pedal and center armrest was solved by buying after market from Zeta Products. Added Clear Bra and tinting to prevent chips and help the weak A/C. Relatively poor driving position and Honda needs to add telescoping steering column. Great car for the money and while inexpensive, the Honda Fit is in no way cheap. As basic transportation, its a good buy.

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  Unhappy since 2003 - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By DLP - January 15 - 10:22 pm

  Leased my pilot the first year out, and will never do that again. I have been unhappy with this car since the first month I bought it. There are things that you dont realize in your 10- minute test drive. My biggest complaint is the extremely poor design of the driver seat -it leans back instead of supporting your head,it protrudes behind your shoulders, and there is no lower back support. I get back aches whenever I drive more than 20 minutes. Also, very little leg room for us long-legged drivers. Other problems Ive had: struts were replaced after 2 years, shifts roughly going uphill, loud squeaking when backing up,front air-vents wont stay stationary. Cant wait to turn it in!

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  Decent Car - 2000 Honda Civic
  By Chopper - January 15 - 3:54 pm

  I got my 2000 Civic in Aug. 2006, and it is a decent car overall. I like that it gets good gas mileage and that it is very reliable, but Honda could have made it a lot better. First off, the LX does not have ABS brakes, even though my 94 Integra did (which is built by Honda), and my Civic does not have too much HP, its around 104 HP. The inside does look cheap, but its comfortable. The exterior design is nice, but it does scratch and dent easily.

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  Great tuner car - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By Sean - January 15 - 2:00 pm

  Ill start with this I got my crz in 2014 after gaulking at them on the road since my senior year of high school. Finally had one of my dream cars! It handles like a sports car should and for a hybrid it has quite some pick up to it if your looking for speed in this car you wont find it in the econ or normal mode but throw it in to sports mode and if automatic turn on manual mode and Ive out ran chargers on the highway. There any many downfalls to this car pros is quick fun to drive the navigation and sound system is on spot and you Def turn heads is one of those cats that make people go "thats a hybrid"?!? Cons like everyone else says yes it has a blind spot that can hide a semi truck all my windows are tinted to witch makes backing up at night quite the task in America us there are no back seats they replaced them with Extra cargo but if you buy pays out of Europe the car was originally designed with a 2seat back seat is only big enough for small children and I recently did my own oil on my z for the first time myself out was difficult since the ground Clarence is no more the about maybe 3and 1/2 in you cans drive it up on ramps or anything. But what about do people dont want to go through the trouble doing is the tuning of the car Honda made the crz as a throw back to the crx and it is just as customizable if you have some extra money to put in to it. Get a muggen or spoon or hks racing kit and youll have a car of envy at the Track.

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  Worth the money - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By NOLA Owner - January 15 - 1:11 pm

  I love my CRV. I will never own another brand vehicle. I have so many positives, so Ill tell others about my negatives. You cant roll down the back windows without hearing a horrible vibration. The exterior panels around the wheel wells are fading to a gray while everything else is black. The intermittent wipers need more variety/speeds. I would like another power outlet up front...for 2 cell phones. POSITIVES- very spacious, drives great, fast acceleration for a 4 cyl.,good gas mileage, quiet. I love my CRV

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By MyNewHonda - January 14 - 8:54 pm

  If youre looking for the utility of a truck with the ride of a sedan youve found the right vehicle. Its comfortable handles well, acceleration is more than adequate, has great visibility, and gas mileage is good for a vehicle of this size. Interior is spacious, having plenty of, leg, shoulder, and head room for all 5 occupants. Controls are well placed and made of quality materials. Side airbags all around, brake assist, and stability control standard. Its hard to beat this vehicles list of features for the price. Simply put, a great vehicle.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Honda Civic
  By igord7 - January 14 - 6:23 pm

  I am very disappointed in this 07 civic lx sedan with automatic. It does not have enough power, and does not feel stable on the highway. I drove 94 and 97 civics in the past and I am disappointed in this one. The fuel economy is a LIE! This civic only gets about 29 mpg on the highway and 23 in the city.

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  Id buy another one - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Happy Ridgeline Ownr - January 14 - 12:37 pm

  I use to own a Chevy Avalanche and I thought I loved it. This Honda is a far better choice for "me". I work in construction and the Honda was a much better work horse. The only draw back is the short 5 bed and the pass through cargo into the cab, but I learned to work without it. So far, other than scheduled maintenance, one headlight bulb burnt out, vs broken and worn out parts on the Chevy for the same mileage/time frame. I wish it had more horsepower for my own needs. Looking online now for a Turbo kit. In 2008 I will be ready for a new one - maybe they will change the style then.

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  Awesome Car - 2007 Honda Civic
  By revhighsi07 - January 14 - 12:23 pm

  I started working at a dealership and 2 weeks later I found myself trading in my 05 Si Hatch for the 07 Si sedan. Man what an awesome car everything about it is awesome performance, styling, even comfort and EPA is above average for the type of car it is. It gets better gas mileage than my 05 and the seats are much more comfortable, AND ITS GOT 4-DOORS.

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  Follow up - 1997 Honda Civic
  By 2nd Timer to Honda - January 14 - 11:02 am

  Follow up tp be to my earlier post, 12/28/06. Confirmed that this car has an ABS, another plus point. Came across an exhaust crack issue. That was fixed by the dealer, no charge. I came to know that Honda was aware of this issue and they have extended the warranty to 15 years or 150K for this issue. Please dont be fooled to pay dealer approximately $1000 for this repair. Fixed pulley in the engine and now this car is at a point that I dont need to do any repair. I like driving it. Yes, it would be nice to have a little more horsepower but overall I am happy with this car.