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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  Now, this is a truck! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Marathonman262 - August 29 - 11:49 pm

  What a truck! I did a lot of homework before buying this truck. Ive had 2 f- 150s and it cant come close to this one. I like just about everything about this truck. One of my favorite features is the trunk. Everybody likes to complain and my complaint is the cruise control button is kinda hard to reach. The engine can use little more power. Thats about it so for. I have 6000 miles on it now.

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  Cheap, big, safe - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By lahiri - August 29 - 8:59 pm

  Its inexpensive. Its big inside. Seats are comfortable and roomy, and cargo room is huge too. Its safe - comes standard with seat mounted airbags, curtain airbags, stability assist, ABS.

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  3rd Accord - Love it and hate it - 2009 Honda Accord
  By SouthernYankee - August 29 - 4:36 pm

  Have been driving the 09 since December. Have approx 8,000 miles on it already. I previously drove an 07 and before that an 03. This is the best for interior and exterior design as well as standard features. However, I have steering wheel vibrations at highway speed (70mph) and steering wheel vibrations when braking on the highway. Have been to the dealer 2 times for this. Dealer said wheels were out of balance - still vibrates.

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  Little Big Truck - 2004 Honda Element
  By PFY - August 29 - 3:41 pm

  I just purchased my certified used 2004 EX and I couldnt be more thrilled. I realize I have not had the extensive experience with it some others have had, but simply coming from a very low mileage vehicle (Land Rover) to this, I was ecstatic the first time I had to go to the pump! I think the design is great and the interior is HUGE. Rides great and again, coming from the Land Rover, the wind noise is no worse, even with the less than aerodynamic design. If you are looking for lots of space and functionality, get one of these. It is fun to drive and the stereo on the EX is KILLER! If you are at all like me, the looks will grow on you too.

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  Great Little SUV! - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By newowner - August 29 - 2:01 pm

  I have only had my CR-V a short time, but I am very happy with it. I am amazed at how much pep it has. I live in a rural area with many steep, curvy roads and my CR-V handles even the steepest hills with ease. Despite the tough driving conditions, it is still getting 23+ mpg, which I feel is excellent for the roads I travel and this also includes city driving. It handles like a small car, has a very tight turning radius and yet has enough cargo room for hauling gardening and horse supplies and my 100-lb dog! It provides a smooth ride and has plenty of room for passengers. I think its a great little SUV and I feel I made a good choice.

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  Honda sensing is awesome! - 2016 Honda Accord
  By SANDIEGO12345 - August 29 - 10:26 am

  Hi all,I am sharing my car buying experience with all , hope it will be helpful to those who are thinking of buying a new car. I live in California.Car purchased on December 28, 2015 : 2016 Honda Accord EX with Honda Sensing, White Exterior MSRP on this car was $28115 and dealer invoice cast was $25777 Price paid $24000+ DMV and Sales Tax = Total OTD -Out the Door $26302.15 I dont have excellent credit, but I was able to get %2.2 for 72 months from a credit union. My experience sharing with potential car buyers:Online research helped me a lot to select the car I wanted and to get the right price. I read many forums. I am trying to return favor to online community through this comment.I was doing online research for long time almost for 4 weeks. First up all I wanted to buy a 2-3 year old used car to save myself from big hit of depreciation cost which happens mainly in first 2 years, but then I wasnt able to find a car with all recent safety features. So finally I made my mind to get Honda Accord with Honda Sensing Features. I found these features are very cool and I am amazed to know how useful they are just after driving about 250 miles. I didnt wanna spend another few thousand dollars to get Touring or EX-L trim, I found EX with Honda Sensing is Value for Money package. Before settling on Accord I test drove many cars which were in my budget. On Truecar.com best target price was $24554. My target was to get a deal better than that. I read and experienced all dealerships strategies, marketing tactics. In beginning , I visited neighborhood dealerships tried negotiations, but was worthless. Dealers makes most of the money by selling you financing through them, by selling extended warranty , GAP insurance and selling(forcefully selling) accessories. I have seen dealers charge anywhere from $500 to $1000 just for aftermarket alarm security system. After you buy car you can get this system fitted in your cars for way less money. They try to sell you wax polish packages, now a days factory paintings is so state of the art, I personally dont think it is important, at least not at expensive price from dealerships. Their GAP insurance is always very expensive, I got one through my Auto insurance provider for $15 per 6 month. Anyways if you still want few useful genuine Honda (factory) accessories, you can always buy them later from any dealerships at discounted prices later, look for coupons on their websites under specials. Or just send emails to parts departments get quotations, ask for discount, and compare quotes. Most of the dealerships want you to invite you to store instead of giving you upfront quotation by using their marketing tactics , please dont fall to their tricks , be a strong buyer, your goal should be save your hard earned money. They try to focus on monthly payment, instead you should tell them I am focusing only on sales price nothing else, do your monthly car payment calculations on google. My advise to potential buyers:When I decided I want to buy 2016 Accord EX with HS , what I did is went on autotrader.com, cars.com and carsdirect.com entered the car, trim level and color I am looking for. I searched for 200 miles radius around my residential zip code. I found as many as apx. 50+ cars were in stock at different dealerships in Orange, San Diego , LA , San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Then I sent emails/messages to all these dealers through cars.com and asked them about my target price. I started getting email replies to my inbox within few hours. Few dealerships sent me there internet pricing with there terms and condition in smallest fond size. I went and visited one of the dealership which is about 40 miles away from home, found out they were playing games, when I went there they told me they did a mistake and accidentally quoted me different car, then finally agreed to honor the quote of $23500 but at condition to finance through them (Honda Financing) at ridiculously higher Interest rate, obviously I walked out of the dealership. Then I came home and emailed these dealerships who had this particular car in stock, about written quote with OTD pricing on it, clearly told them I will not buy any extras. I got 3-4 competitive quotes around $26300 OTD (~$24000+ tax and dmv) pricing in writing. So on Monday 12/28/2015 I drove into one of the dealership who gave me $24000+ tax and Dmv quote. Car had 2 miles on it, test drove it for 1 mile. Saw sticker had $995 alarm system added on it, told clearly to salesman that I am not gonna buy any extras. He said he will not change his words and there will be no surprises. Went inside after test drive. He printed the numbers on paper. The price he presented was exactly same as we agreed through email conversation. I signed the papers and option contract paid my down-payment through card. I reached at dealership at 7 pm and I was out with my brand new car at 8 pm.

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  CReView - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Dr Diane Schaupp - August 29 - 10:04 am

  Great handling. Good interior space. Nice interior.

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  Bad Fuel Economy - 2007 Honda Civic
  By degraff - August 28 - 10:50 pm

  Car drives and runs great. Good handling. The only issue I have is with the fuel economy. No matter how I drive I only get between 25-29 MPG now. This is not even near the 30-40 MPG sticker amounts. I was getting 33 MPG when I bought the car.

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  What More Could You Want? - 2003 Honda S2000
  By speedboy - August 28 - 9:31 pm

  This car is just about perfect, but know that it is a small, purpose-built sports car and does one thing very well - put a smile on your face. Better ride than a Miata but can still be choppy because of the short wheelbase, can out-accelerate 99% of anything on the road, bulletproof reliability, corners incredibly, chassis rigidity normally associated with steel I-beams, beautiful engine sounds that get even better the closer it revs to 9K rpm, even the top seals well. I even drive this thing in the snow with Blizzaks and it is useful. Like most Hondas, for the price this car is a no-brainer. Like a pair of favorite jeans, as the miles roll by this car just fits me better and better.

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  Quality Vehicle - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Robert Rentie - August 28 - 7:52 pm

  I love this truck. I have been waiting for Honda to develop a truck. I currently own a Honda Accord and I have also owned a Acura Legend. This is just another quality and reliable vehicle designed by Honda. I get stopped all the time and ask how do you like your truck and I say I love it!