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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  2005 Touring - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By TouringinGA - August 18 - 6:20 pm

  Excellent overall. Superior to all we tested.

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  The 2010 Ex got even better - 2012 Honda Civic
  By jabutix - August 18 - 5:03 pm

  The Civic EX 2012 exceeded my expectations. It drives well and is quite responsive, making it a fun ride. Mileage got even better and the Economy button works very well for slow traffic conditions. The interior design is attractive and the accessibility to all commands makes it quite functional. It is a good buy for the money.

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  Love it! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By K W Salisbury - August 18 - 4:33 pm

  The only way I give up my crv is for a new crv. Id like to go up to the ex model, but like to keep this one for my daughter when she is able to drive cause of the ease and safety. So I got three more years! If you got a small family (4), it beats all the competition hands down, and I previewed and test drove them all.

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  I love my box! - 2005 Honda Element
  By Jeff - August 18 - 4:05 pm

  Although some of my friends think its ugly, I think it is awesome. The design is love it or hate it, but the utility of this vehicle has no comparison. We take it surfing, to Home Depot, to the clubs, to the grocery store, and even on some road trips.

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  Absolute Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 1993 Honda Accord
  By Ken - August 18 - 12:15 pm

  Buy one. Watch for external rust, but other than that, it will be the best car you can have. Love this particular body style. Solid, solid, solid.

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  Bullet proof reliability - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Robert407 - August 18 - 11:13 am

  A 5-speed that almost shifts itself. Smooth is the word. Handles well, but 16" performance tires should be an option.

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  A little disappointed - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Doug - August 17 - 10:48 am

  I love the car, the design, comfort and reliability, but am only getting between 38 - 43 MPG. Not bad, but was expecting a lot better. I have tried to drive conservatively, but still got less than 43 in city driving. Highway seems to do better, but most of my driving is in traffic. So a little disappointed in the fuel efficiency, but overall I am enjoying the car.

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  Speedometers, spare tires and leather seats - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Floyd Sense - August 17 - 10:02 am

  (1). Leather seats in an Odyssey are uncomfortably hard and hot. The leather doesnt breath like high quality seat leather should, but rather its like sitting on 1970s vinyl seats on a hot day. Solution: opt for the EX model which has cloth seats that are actually comfortable. We compared the Odyssey leather seats to competition, such as Chrysler Town & Country, and the Honda leather was the worst. (2). The Odyssey spare tire (at least it has one) is stored INSIDE THE VEHICLE, under the floor between the second row seats. So, dont have a flat when you have the vehicle loaded with cargo or if its full of kids on a rainy day. And, you wont believe where they expect you to store the flat tire you remove - see the manual and be ready to laugh. (3). If you normally wear polarized sunglasses while driving, make sure to take them along when you test drive the Odyssey. On a bright sunny day, the numbers on the speedometer and tachometer are simply not visible when wearing polarized sunglasses. For some reason, the designer decided the numbers should be displayed on a shiny background, making the situation even worse. With all that dashboard screen real estate, youd think theyd have placed a digital speed display on one of the large screens. On the positive side, the Odyssey is remarkably quiet on the road. While Hondas and their upscale Acuras are noted for their tire and engine noise, you wont hear much of that in the Odyssey. You can actually carry on a conversation with people in the middle row of seats while traveling down the road at 70 mpg. And finally, youd think that after all these years Honda would have figured out how to make it easy for an owner to get the middle row of seats out of the way for handling large cargo loads. You still have to manually remove them and store them somewhere in the garage or ? If youre a small person or older like me, youll find that to be a difficult proposition. By the way, the gas mileage is a big surprise when compared to the competition. I can easily get 28 mpg on the open highway and rarely see less than 22 around town.

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  Toms Island Car - 2004 Honda Element
  By Tom on the Island - August 17 - 10:00 am

  To whom this may concern: First of all, after owning 20 cars since high school, my New Honda Element, EX 2wd, has to be the best car Ive ever had the oportunity to own/drive, show off! I live in Newport Beach, on Balboa Island. The popularity of the Element is really starting to show, The first of Feb, I was one of only two Element owners, here on the island, now its hard to keep up with all the new ones. The look, the "second" looks you get when driving, and all the questions about the rear suicide doors, I havent run into ANYONE who dislikes it. My biggest regret, this car didnt come in RED (bright Honda Red).Keep up the great work at Honda!! TOM

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  nice suv but horrible gas mileage!!! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By tylerfamily - August 17 - 10:00 am

  weve had our pilot for 11 mos. and my #1 complaint is the gas mileage. im lucky to get 17 mpg on the hwy. its a nice suv. however, i dont think i would purchase another one. ive already had something go wrong with the suspension, 1 recall, horrible gas mileage, and about 4 times a month it dies when you first start it. for a vehicle that only has 10K miles i feel that this should not be a problem. i totally baby this car, i try to go no faster than 70 mph on hwy and still get 17 mpg if im lucky. if getting good gas mileage does not matter to you than i would suggest this vehicle! it does handle well and is reliable.