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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  Best Accord Yet! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By tstapleton - July 14 - 11:00 am

  This review is for our 2013, Accord V-6 EX-L coupe. We are third time accord owners, 1993 station wagon, a 2008 sedan and now our coupe. We purchased a V-6 EX-L coupe in March 2013. The Accord was purchased to replace our 2009 Infiniti G37S, and we are happy with the swap.

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  adequate - 2013 Honda Accord
  By mhubert1 - July 14 - 3:39 am

  13000 miles and going. Interior a plus (leather and all the bells and whistles) Software is lacking. Audio has demonstrated software problems. delay in the Wiper system has already malfunctioned. Gas Mileage is amazing @ 36 average...sometimes 39. Extreme delay in initial acceleration with CVT transmission-Would prefer the gears. Overall a sharp looking car. So far has proved to be reliable. 89 out of 100

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  Things I didnt think about FIRST - 2012 Honda Civic
  By schoolsh33 - July 13 - 12:50 pm

  Ive had 96 Civic & 98Accord. Bought 2012 Civic 4 door stick shift in May 2011. Ive always loved stick for the pickup & gas mileage. Big problems with this car. 1) NO pickup at all. Its embarrassing at a light with even slight incline & people are on your butt & go around u because it takes forever to get up to speed. If AC is on forget it, u have to turn it off until u get to speed. 2) Visibility sucks. There is a thick separator where side mirrors are making window 2 sections creating major blind spots 3) My kids cant have back window down, it causes this vibrating wind sound that hurts your ears. So, things I never thought about have made me unhappy with this car & Im trading it in

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  Another outstanding Honda automobile It - 2013 Honda Accord
  By jaacolumbusnc - July 13 - 10:28 am

  It is now time to rate my 2013 Honda Accord EX-L, 4 cyl CVT. The car was purchased on 4 Jan 2013 from my salesperson Sharon G. at Dick Brooks Honda in Greer, SC. Suffice to say the entire experience was outstanding in all areas. I now have 9,500 miles and it is a flawless product. I just finished a 430 mile trip on 12 July from my home in Columbus, NC to Canton, GA in the same day. The total consumption of gas was 13.4 gallons. Driving included interstate, city, A/C and heavy traffic plus heavy rain. I could not be more satisfied in the handling of the car.

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  A GREAT car! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By moderate1 - July 13 - 9:50 am

  I love my 2002 Accord sedan, but wish I had gone with the coupe :( and ABS. Its a great car I bought it used from the dealer in 2005 and luckily it still had some of its warranty left had it so when the trans started slipping they fixed it and gave me a rental car all for free and had it fixed in a day. The reason I love it so much is because its not like these new cars where you HAVE to take it to the mechanic to get it fixed because the engine is covered or its got comp glitches. I can change my spark plugs easily and that I like. Its very loud when driving on the freeway, you can barely hear the person sitting next to you. If you take care of your car you should have no problems.

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  Great on gas and reliable - 1993 Honda Civic
  By honda637 - July 11 - 8:50 pm

  I bought it when it had 97K miles original miles on it and at 130K miles I pulled out old weak motor and transmission aka d15z1 vtec-e out and put in a stronger sohc d16y8 and never looked back. I remember back then this car couldnt climb up a hill or beat my moms Geo Prizm, lmao! This car pays for it self within one year on gas saving powers! A die hard Honda fan! If you want a gas saver, this car is the way to go. If you want a monster horse power machine, this car is the way to go after a motor swap. What can i say this car is easy to fix/maintain and is awesome on gas. Plus mechanically, it will out last any other 1993 car, I swear! This car will probably be passed on to my kids.

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  Best Overall Value after Hours of Research - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By mtayub - July 11 - 7:53 pm

  After much research, im a CRV Owner. Gas mileage in town is 27 Avg. Gas mileage on 2000 mile trip from Michigan to Alabama and back 29mpg. Econ mode on whole time. MPG AVG 28.7. Very Comfortable seats. Lots of leg and storage room for all passengers. Rear seats recline, love it. Low interior noise. Very High reliability. Blue tooth works great, and reads my text messages to me. I love the plastic stays nice longer. Its soft where it needs to be. I did significant research on 2013 CRV and 2013 Rav, I went with CRV. For 2013 CRV LX AWD Paid 24000 plus tax and plate. American Made in Ohio is a plus. Im pretty picky and hard to please, im extremely happy with my CRV.

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  3 days in and loving it! - 2013 Honda Civic
  By cbadca - July 11 - 3:25 pm

  I just leased a 2013 Honda Civic Coupe EX, and so far Im loving it! Now, to be fair, I upgraded from a 2000 Ford Focus LX with manual everything, so being enthusiastic about a new car wasnt a very tall order. I probably would have been just as happy with a new Yugo if there still was such a thing. But overall, I love the body style and interior design of the Coupe EX. The dash is laid out very well and all the controls are within easy reach. The ONLY potential downside I see is the quality of the cloth seats...Im just not sure how long that fabric is going to keep looking good. Handles very well, and is a nice smooth, quiet ride. Pretty good stereo system too with the 7 speakers.

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  Great Car - 2013 Honda Civic
  By frne - July 11 - 11:12 am

  The consumer reviews dont lie. This truly is a great car. I would suggest not getting the hybrid because the regular car on the econ mode can get 45 mpg. I use to own a VW Passat and am indescribably happy to get rid of it for my new Civic. I will never stray from Honda or Toyota ever again. The Civic is fun to drive, has a lot of nice features (pandora interface, econ mode, back up camera, ect), and is reliable. I rented a 2012 Honda Civic when I was in Boston and was really impressed with it. I ended up buying the 2013 version since its more refined. There is a reason you see so many Honda vehicles on the road...because they make a solid car that wont leave you stranded.

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  Fun drive but audio and phone performance terrible - 2013 Honda Accord
  By mml43 - July 11 - 11:09 am

  Too many bells and whistles that dont work. This is my 4th Accord in 20+ years, and by far the worst, most annoying experience. Delivered with an inoperable CD player so the entire audio unit had to be replaced from the factory. Then the audio had to be repaired under a recall because the sound would fade in and out and be drowned in buzzing static. Virtually no bass/subwoofer - my 1999 and 2006 Accord had better sound. Will be going back to dealer for the third time in less than 6 months Ive owned it to find out why all speed dial settiings are sporadically erased but the voice tags remain. Also speed dial numbers arent always accessible even when theyre displayed/