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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  form follows function - 2004 Honda Element
  By bill jensen - December 7 - 2:00 am

  the honda element is the most interesting vehicle i have ever purchased. i have taken several long trips in it and enjoy the visability you get while driving it. it seems to keep you alert while driving and i dont seem to get tired like i normally do on long trips. though it was targeted to a younger crowd, i think the element will grow in popularity as time goes by.

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  Best Minivan - PERIOD - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Sheba099 - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned/rented just about every minivan known to man. The HOnda is the absolute best that there is. And talk about resale, there is nothing even remotely close to it in the industry. Try a Honda, and you will be a fan for life.

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  Nice Car...I mean SUV - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By John from Irvine - December 7 - 2:00 am

  My budget for this purchase was $18,000 -25,000 so I chose from Toyota RAV4 and the CR-V. American cars werent considered (bad experiences with Ford and Chrysler in the past). I liked the options included for one price for the CR-V so I went for that and I dont regret it at all. (side airbags, aluminum wheels, cd changer, ABS, moonroof). The car looks nice on the outside. Not macho, not too cutsie, just right. The inside is pretty plain, but has lots of space, relatively comfortable seats, and a great easy to read controls. Drive performance is nice as it accelerates quickly and handles on curves and sharp turns great. It is also easy to park.

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  Good economy car - 2005 Honda Civic
  By sunrup - December 7 - 1:10 am

  Traded in my 2002 Mazda Protege ES for a car with superior mileage. Was not disappointed. I get combined highway/city mileage of 38 to a gallon, which is about 13 miles more than my earlier car. Thought about the hybrid at first, found it difficult to justify the higher price in comparison to the gasoline engine. I paid 16,250 and get 38 to a gallon, the hybrid I would have to pay $3K more for 7 more miles per gallon. You do the math.

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  Civic Si Sedan Delivers - 2007 Honda Civic
  By gw - December 6 - 11:03 am

  When considering a new car, I needed a practical commuter/family vehicle but wanted a sports car. I cant imagine a better solution then the Si Sedan. The car is very practical with 4 doors, big trunk and good gas milage (assume Honda reliability will apply to my Si). At the same time, the car is just so much fun to drive. The high reving 2.0 L four is so smooth and the transmition is specd just right. I can stay in the powerband from 1st on into 5th (thats where my risk tolerance for speeding tickets runs out) The sound of the i- VTEC is totally awsome. The 17" wheels hint at whats inside. The fit and finish are high quality and the controls all fall naturally within sight/reach. Grea

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  Great Car - 1997 Honda Accord
  By jennie - December 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Honda, and I have been loving it. Great car!

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  I am waiting for this damn thing to break down - 1998 Honda Accord
  By kate - December 6 - 12:24 am

  Its nearly 20 years old and astoundingly reliable. Its also boring. AND I dont have any more tapes to play in it since that technology died long before the car. But it is strong, not rusting and just fine, thanks. I suspect Id have to drive it off a cliff to get it to break.

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  2010 Honda Accord - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Peter - December 5 - 6:16 pm

  This is no less than a stunningly great automobile. The handling is exceptional, there is plenty of leg room in both the front and back seats, the exterior design is very appealing and the comfort is outstanding. The 270+ HP engine is exceptionally powerful, and allows for easy acceleration, passing, and merging (the power, steering, and responsiveness is actually far better than a BMW 3-series that I used to own). The luxury features, such as leather, sunroof, and NAVI raised the quality of this car to an Acura or Lexus status--at far less cost. Overall a fantastic car and a great purchase.

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  Best Accord Yet - 2018 Honda Accord
  By ROMIL - December 5 - 3:50 pm

  I came out of a 2015 Genesis sedan lease and financed the 2018 Accord Touring the day it went on sale in October 2017. I test drove the 2018 Camry (Toyota missed a lot of the tech the Accord has, making it a no go for me, even in the top trim level...plus the Camry costs more), 2017 CR-V (nice vehicle, but Accord had a few features the CR-V doesnt, like cooled seats and the newer Honda infotainment system), 2017 Mazda CX-5 (nice, but missing some tech), and the 2018 Audi A5 Sportback (super nice, but with a price tag to go along with it...$57K). The Accord was the clear winner of the bunch. It is somewhat reminiscent of my Genesis from a tech standpoint, but for $20K less. The Accord is easily the most luxurious feeling midsize family sedan Ive driven, trumping even the Mazda 6. The material and build quality in the cabin is top notch; everything feels great to the touch. The active safety tech works well. The cabin is roomy and visibility is great. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are very useful and work well with Hondas new infotainment system (the 2018 Odyssey is the only other Honda with this new system). The sound system in the Touring is pretty good. Not an enthusiast-level system by any means, but certainly better than most non-luxury car "high-end" systems Ive heard. The heated and cooled seats work very well. The car is relatively quiet on the highway compared to the competition, although coming from a Genesis which was bank vault-quiet, it seems a bit noisy by comparison. I do mostly highway driving at 77 MPH and have been averaging 34 MPG combined which is good, but not amazing. My car is the Radiant Red Metallic with Ivory leather and the combo is quite striking. Ive been stopped by a few people who cant believe it is an Accord. On the negative side of things: power is just adequate. Its not slow, but compared to competitors with a V-6 or even the upcoming 2.0T Accord, it is a bit underwhelming. If you want performance, wait for the 2.0T at the end of Nov 2017. It is faster than the old V-6 Accord and even the new Camry V-6. The other benefit of the 2.0T will be the 10-speed auto in place of the CVT the 1.5T has. Its is okay as far as CVTs go, but not my favorite kind of transmission. Bottom line: this is without a doubt the best midsize family sedan on the market currently. Toyota tried with the new Camry, but failed pretty hard in my book. The Camrys 8-speed transmission is jerky, the interior is a bit of a chocolate mess, there is no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, no ventilated seats, and no memory seats at ANY trim level, even the fully loaded XSE V-6 which costs an unbelievable $40K. Every major auto publication comparison test between the two cars has given the Accord the victory at every trim level, so theres no doubt the Accord will continue its reign as the most winning vehicle of all time on Car and Drivers annual 10 Best List.

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  215K and Going....... - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By M.N. - December 5 - 2:45 pm

  Great car overall and still going with normal maintenance. It is on its 3rd transmission (2 paid for by Honda). Besides this, the car is built like a tank and keeps on going.....