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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  Good Basic Car - 1998 Honda Civic
  By acroduster - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for a 124 mile commute per day and it has served well. I got a very base model, but Im still impressed. Off the line its not great, but thats the price you pay for the gas mileage. Good stock stereo.

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  Happy, though wincing from the cost... - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By acroduster - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Love the 5 speed and power - I love sucker punching sports cars in a minivan! The squeaks and rattles in the doors are bad, though, and the seats could be a little more comfy. Dealers could be somewhat more accomodating - laughing in your face when you say MSRP is a little disconcerting...

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  A good car - 2003 Honda Civic
  By luis - January 12 - 2:00 am

  good car

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  Rattel, rattle, rattle - 2002 Honda Accord
  By DPVW - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I love everything about this car, EXCEPT the rattles in: the stereo bracket, the passenger door molding, the rear passenger-side molding, the speaker covers, the driver-side dash, the right-hand vent molding, the sunroof hardware and the glove box latch. And no, Im not unusually picky about these things: everybody who rides in it says something to me. Ive also had bizzare noises from the rear brakes and the muffler heat shield. Only the latter two have been fixed - all the others are ignored by Honda mechanics, needless to say.

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  First Honda - 2002 Honda Accord
  By HondaDrvr - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Honda Accord for just over a month now, and what can I say about it, I LOVE it. This is my first Honda, I used to own a Chevy Cavalier which gave me lots of problems. So I decided to go with a Honda. Ive got 6,000 miles on my car and its only a month old! This car handles great on the highway, including the ability to shift the automatic into 3rd gear if you need that extra "get-up and go." Im quite impressed with the pick up, since this is a family sedan. According to the owners manual, you can shift the gears in the automatic, as if it were a stick. Ive done this a few times, from a traffic light and wow can this car go!

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  Excellent value - 2008 Honda Accord
  By wk - January 11 - 8:56 pm

  This is my first Accord and I think it is a great value. I have had other Hondas - the old Prelude and the Acura Legend. They were all very reliable as I expect this one to be. This Accord drives like my old Prelude and is quite fun to drive. It is noisier than my Lexus LX but not more so than my Town and Country Limited or my old Mercedes E. It gets good mileage on HWY = 30 but mediocre on local = 21. Everything else is great in the car for the amount of money paid.

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  Great Truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By chris g - January 11 - 3:25 pm

  Love this truck. It is more like an suv with a bed. So refined and powerful. In bed trunk is a godsend and fits alot. my brother has a new toyota tundra and was sorry he didnt test drive this honda first. Rides like a car. Not a vehicle for serious off-roading. But more then capable in snow and other rough terrain.Do yourself a favor and drive the Ridgeline before buying in other model. You wont be sorry.Also gets over 20MPG HWY.

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  Not as Good as you Think!!! - 2000 Honda Accord
  By J.C. - January 11 - 2:28 pm

  This car is appraised so much for its reliability...well its body hardware is horrible and there are better cars. There is 115k miles on mine, but still...theyre supposed to keep running...something electrical keeps going wrong...

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  Drive with confidence - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Robert Severin - January 11 - 10:12 am

  For me it is my first small suv . I had a minivan that had much more room ,that being obvious . The room in this vehicle is more than satisfactory in it class. I am old school and I find the ride a bit firm. I do like the vehicle and would buy again.

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  Once you go Honda, you never go back! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By ktreilly - January 11 - 9:26 am

  I bought my Honda Civic because I needed a reliable car to commute over 100 miles a day. I drove it straight for 2 and a half years with just oil changes and regular maitenance, I never even had to change a light bulb! Although a 2 door coupe, the back seat still has a lot of room. Also, the car is still heavy enough to be great in the snow. This car is practicle, fast and basically a commuters dream.. I will never buy anything but a Honda again.