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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  Cool ride! - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Kevin W - November 9 - 9:28 pm

  Its really fun to drive. Comfortable and stable

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  2007 Honda Accord EX-L 4dr automatic - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Linda - November 9 - 4:36 pm

  Have been driving the car for a month. Seats are not comfortable, a lot of wind and road noise. The dash has a consistent rattle which Honda has worked on twice. Rep from company is coming this week. Well see what happens. Honda makes their cars so that they have a slight pull to the right which I do not like. This feature doesnt make the car fun to drive.Only the drivers seat has automatic seat adjustments and the lumbar control is on a different side of the seat.

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  Honda road noise - 2008 Honda Accord
  By JAMES - November 9 - 12:10 pm

  The car rides well and handles well. Honda still does ride as well as most American cars and the suspension is a little too stiff.

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  Love my Lude - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Silver_97 - November 9 - 10:06 am

  I bought my Prelude a few months ago. It was very well maintained. Apart from a few flaws on the hood which look like someone spilled brake fluid... It was nearly perfect. I have had no mechanical problems. No problems at all for that matter, and this is a 10 yr old car! The interior is very comfortable, and I have no rattles. Very fun when vtec engages!

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  06 S2000, RED - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Kat - November 9 - 9:51 am

  I am loving this car! I only wish it had a better place to put my coffee. A real attention getter, and performance is outstanding!

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  Beautiful face lift from older generations! - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Stacey Nguyen - November 9 - 5:05 am

  I was contemplating between Toyota Corolla Sport and Honda Civic for awhile. I finally decided to purchase the Honda Civic due to its great design and well-known reliability and performance. The test drive was impressive. With that said, after a few weeks of driving the car, it has its hiccups. For example, the drivers seat is a bit uncomfortable because of the angle and cheap fabric. The USB feature doesnt recognize my android phone or a USB media device, while the bluetooth capability stutters frequently. Noise cancellation is zero. I can hear the tires going over speed bumps, grooves on the roads, and uneven pavement. The radio does help mask the noise a bit but nothing impressive. Pros: all the entertainment features, phenomenal braking system, and acceleration. Overall, the new Civic offers more than enough for money. Hopefully it will lasts through graduate school and then some.

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  Loved it! - 1993 Honda Civic
  By sanderbeck - November 8 - 5:08 pm

  Purchased this car used in 1999 with 80K. Drove it daily and never any problems - and I dont maintain cars until 150K. Loved it! Unfortunately so did the thieves - they stole it from my drive way. Cant say enough good things about my car.

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  Odyssey EX-L DVD review - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By jsabowabo - November 8 - 3:00 pm

  Weve owned our Odyssey for about six months. This thing is fast and smooth. My wife loves it having come off a 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is very comfortable, handles very well, rides well and is generally a lot of fun to drive. Since weve owned it we have had a couple of problems. The brake safety switch went out, locking the vehicle in park, and Ive had to replace all of the rotors. Weve been averaging about 18.5 MGP in combined city/freeway driving, with a bias towards city. Overall we love the van, you just cant beat the versatility of these things and still have something fun to drive.

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  Im back Honda - 1991 Honda Accord
  By PickHonda - November 7 - 11:59 pm

  3 yrs ago I sold my Integra and have missed it everyday. I bought a Mazda/Ford 626 and regret it. Since its sat broken for the last yr, I needed something to get me to work and school. I found my Accord for sell for a scamp $900. It had a dented fender and a $100 paint job. Its got over 220k, but that didnt discourage me. It runs like a Honda (like a Swiss watch). Balanced and beautiful. Its not the most powerful, but with the 5spd, it makes it fun. I love the sound of a high revving Honda. I dont like having the same car as everyone else, but there is a reason for that. You dont mess with perfection. Im not saying Hondas are without fault, but compared to everything else, it almost is.

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  Gonna hang onto this one awhile - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Buffalonian - November 7 - 2:28 pm

  We bought ours new in 2002 and have loved it ever since. OEM tires are no good in snow after a few thousand miles (we live in Buffalo). Replaced with good all season Yokohama tires, which are now going on their 3rd winter. Interior plastic does scratch/show smudges a little too easily, as does the exterior paint. Seats are a little uncomfortable on long rides. Storage is great. We use the picnic table when we camp. We use this over our Accord for vacation road trips because its so fun to drive! Good mileage for a ute (we get 24-27 MPG). No mechanical problems at 50,000 miles so far except dealer recalls which were fixed very quickly.