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 - 2008 Honda Accord
  By jim stevenson - January 30 - 12:20 am

  This is the second Honda Accord I have owned and I have had the best all around service from these cars. I will not buy anything else.

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  MY FIRST HONDA!!!! - 2009 Honda Accord
  By LAM - January 29 - 4:20 pm

  I love my Honda accord V-6 with navi. Its a significant upgrade and my first. The acceleration and the power of the car is awesome. On the inside the navi among other features really makes long drives comfortable. Lastly, the gas mileage on the highway is pretty good too. I live in MD and went all the way to Boston on one tank! However, road noise is noticeable but easy to forget about and the drivers seat takes a while to get used to.

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  Really impressed - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Rob - January 29 - 3:48 pm

  I traded my 2004 BMW X3 for the 2017 CR-V. So far Im loving it. The X3 was a beast in terms of power so I was a little worried I was going to be left feeling underwhelmed by the CR-V. But with the CVT/turbo combination its actually surprisingly nimble. The CVT is an unusual experience too. It happily sits in the 2000-3000 rpm range (where the power is coincidentally) for most normal driving. That pretty much means you have power on tap whenever you need it. Linear and predictable which is great. The driver and passengers seats are really comfortable and the car is crammed with useful (as well as some not so useful) technology. The adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist really works well beyond what I would have expected. Ive so far only had to fill the tank yesterday after 2 weeks and 400 miles. The trip computer is indicating an average of 31 mpg right now and its still climbing although. I tend to do most of my miles on the I5 which is stop and go a lot of the time so that figure is actually quite impressive. The cabin is particularly roomy. We get two surfboards and gear in comfortably with way more spare room than in the X3. All in all I love my new CR-V so far! One minor niggle is that the push button on the overhead light in the cabin is stuck but Ill be leaving it in to be replaced soon so its not worth complaining about!

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  Great car .... were just getting a bigger Honda - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By Carlos Piad - January 29 - 3:00 am

  What a great car!

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  Best car I have ever had! - 2000 Honda Civic
  By rayv5 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Have not had any problems in 75000 miles.I still have the same brakes on it. I get better gas milage than the sticker said, 43mpg.

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  Si pride - 2000 Honda Civic
  By pchattysi - January 29 - 2:00 am

  this car is awesome to drive could use some more torque but for a 4cyl, 1.6 liter honda got the most you could which is pretty impressive for this engine! bought the car brand new and do not plan to sell anytime soon!!! :)

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  Great car - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Nat - January 29 - 12:50 am

  I didnt fit in the Corolla. I am 61" and I fit in the Civic coupe. My right leg does rest against the hand brake, but I can live with that. MPG on combined driving has been 35.2 and on more highway driving has been 38.9 with only 1800 miles on the car! Handles great and plenty of power. Ride is a little stiff, but the car is so fun to drive. In 90 degree heat the air conditioning has been great.

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  Great car - 2007 Honda Civic
  By JV - January 28 - 3:50 pm

  This car has exceeded my expectations. I have a lengthy commute (100 miles a day) and needed a car with good gas mileage. Gas mileage has been holding at 48 mpg for mixture of interstate, highway and city miles. At 55 MPH on the relatively flat Florida roads I can get about 55ish MPG. The Civic Hybrid exceeded my expectations in two main areas. First, it accelerates a little better than I expected. Maybe it just feels like it to me, who knows. The next area I was impressed with still amazes me. There is an incredible amount of room in the front seat! Im 62" 230 lbs used to a full size pickup truck but this car has tons of head room, shoulder room and my seat isnt all the way back! Wow.

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  2007 Honda Fit Sport Automatic review - 2007 Honda Fit
  By ralechner - January 28 - 3:46 am

  We had done our research and were waiting for the Fit to become available. One drive was all it took to confirm that it was well built, great looking, roomy and fun to drive. It has nearly the leg room of our 03 Element EX and a phenomenal amount of room overall. I am 64" and can actually use the back seat comfortably with the front seat slid all the way back. The only things missing as options are a satellite radio and a moon/sun roof. The Fit really wants to get up and go; its a blast to drive. It feels peppier and bigger than the Civic. It has side curtain airbags and numerous other safety features. I expect reliability to be typical Honda: excellent. Try one & youre hooked!

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  !!!!!AWESOME!!!!! - 1990 Honda Civic
  By Crinale - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love this car. Anyone who complains about the 92bhp obviously either doesnt know how to shift correctly, or is using an auto tranny (ewwwwww). The handling in this car cannot be beat, and it is 13.5 years old! My dad bought this car july 1990 with 11 miles on it (probably a test drive and driving it onto the lot). Now it has 238,000+ miles, and almost no problems at all! around 180,000 miles, the exhaust had to be replaced due to rust, and at about 220,000 miles the tranny had to be rebuilt. Other than that, no problems. was given to me 6months ago for my 16th b-day.