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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  Love my Honda Pilot! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By sastx - June 3 - 9:29 am

  We bought our Honda Pilot in May 2012, and absolutely love it! Its super roomy and there is so much space in the back (3rd row seats down) that we went on a road trip with 2 little kids and still had plenty of room to put more luggage in the back. I take it out to construction jobsites and love how it drives like a truck through rough terrain, but yet it feels smooth and sturdy when Im on the freeway. This is an SUV we are going to keep until the wheels fall off. If you have little kids, you might want to buy seat covers if you have the cloth seats, as they do tend to stain easily.

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  Horrible milage - 2013 Honda Accord
  By np070209 - June 2 - 10:18 am

  The car itself is a fun car to drive. Looks and drives great. My complaint is that it come nowhere close to the mileage they claim in the city, at least not yet. Honda claims you should receive about 20 MPG in the city. These calculations are also based without the Econ button you can use which also, is supposed to increase mileage. My first tank of gas I got around 13.4 MPG, this was mostly city driving. Of coarse I called the dealer and I was told the car needed to be broke in, the computer needed to learn my driving habits. This would take 5000 miles for the car to be broke in and learn my habits. so far, not even close to claimed mileage. Look forward to buying another Infiniti.

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  Just buy it already. - 2013 Honda Accord
  By barkman003 - May 31 - 5:07 pm

  Love the cvt. The black color is expensive looking. Attracts a crowd everywhere it is parked. I am 63" and have tons of leg room and head room. Stereo sucks when set on radio, but sounds good through Aux. or blu. It is just 4 speakers and reminds me of the sound of my car stereos from the 80s and 90s. It is fast and handles well. Ride is sporty firm, but still very comfortable. The goodyear tires are OK, but would rather have had the Michelins. The interior lighting is lacking and looks kind of cheap when the dome light is lit. Headlights are bright. Arm rest is perfect. Steering wheel is good size and easy to grip. I am thinking about buying a another one to drive i like it that much.

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  Glad I selected the Sport model - 2013 Honda Accord
  By mxi81 - May 31 - 1:15 pm

  I purchased my first Honda after trading in my 2003 Mazda6s and so far I have been pleased. It lacks the performance of my old V6 mazda, but still performs well overall. The mpg has been around 30 combined on 50/50 mixed highway/local driving. I tested the Altima, Accord, & Fusion and ultimately the Accord won for the value and what Im hoping will be long term reliability. The interior is nice and spacious, though the front headrests are a little uncomfortable unless you position the seat appropriately. I havent noticed wind noise with my vehicle as other reviews stated, so maybe it is not present on the Sport models. Take a hwy test drive if you can to test for the problem.

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  Great Car! Review after 8 months ownership - 2013 Honda Accord
  By william621 - May 31 - 11:49 am

  Im extremely please with the car. Ive got about 22,000 miles on it and its nicely broken in. On a recent trip to the Outer Banks, NC, I got over 600 miles on a tank of gas, averaging 38.2 mpg! Driving on NC 12 up Hattaras Island at 55-60mph, I averaged 46.3 mpg for the hour drive north to get off the island. Amazing!! I agree that the CVT will not be for everyone, but I like the fact that I get awesome mileage in a very well built, good looking car. Speaker quality is excellent with a digital device, so dont judge sound system until you plug in your own device!

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  Decent Car - 2010 Honda Civic
  By dendo1 - May 29 - 11:52 pm

  Ive owned for 13 months have driven it 23,000 miles. Gas mileage is awesome, usually 35-37. Visibility is pretty good. Stereo sounds like a more expensive car. I like the funky dash also. The car rides fairly well for a small car but you do feel some bumps. Is very light, which isnt so good in the snow or on windy days. Build quality isnt bad overall. My biggest gripe is that Honda apparently leaves out desirable features to keep costs down. My car has only two cup holders and I cant adjust the intermittent wipers. It appears to be a good choice, but the competition probably gives you more features at a lower price.

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  Gutless Wonder - 2008 Honda Fit
  By ronsbiz - May 29 - 10:30 pm

  I bought this Honda Fit in 2012 with 37,000 miles, and have since put 91,000 on it. Like some Hondas, this is a well built, functional car but not well engineered. I cant explain why Honda has a penchant for putting under-powered engines in their cars (like the 2.0L engine in early CR-Vs), but here they did it again. 109 horsepower and 106 pounds of torque may be fine for over-taxed and over-regulated Europeans, but when you are competing with V-8s for lane space on American highways, 109 horses relegates you to the slow lane. I understand the new Fits have 117 horses, but the vehicle has gotten bigger since 2008 as well,so youre back to square one. If Honda were to offer the 1.8L en

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  CR-V Is A Pleasure To Drive! - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By wds1 - May 27 - 11:14 pm

  My senior parents are the actual owners of this vehicle, but I have driven it enough and helped them weed through numerous other vehicles (months and months of research and test driving) to feel confident in making a review. My mothers strong pull to the CR-V was the actual deciding factor in the final purchase. I feel she made a great decision! This vehicle offers a lot for the money. We test drove countless vehicles and my parents kept coming back to this one. I was not as crazy about it as them, but see that it has many desirable features and feel it is definitely worth the money. Overall, it is a great little SUV!

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  Close to perfect!! - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By quintus1 - May 27 - 3:39 pm

  We absolutely love this car. I bought the touring edition and had the sport mats and a tow package installed on it. Went with black on black leather and I am SO glad I bought this car over the many many others I tried out. After test driving all of the other SUVs in its class, this car is absolutely the best choice. It looks really cool and serves its function as being a family/dog carting/get me to work/hauling vehicle. The fold down seats and the handling were what sold me. Once you take it out of eco mode it actually has some fairly good power. Great job Honda!!

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  Replaced my CRX - 2013 Honda CR-Z
  By karr3 - May 26 - 3:23 pm

  Purchased the CRZ to replace my old CRX which had 400,000 miles on it. I drove the CVT model and it was very dull. However, the Manual transmission is tons of fun to drive. I look for reasons to drive this car because it is so much fun to drive and the gas cost practically nothing. Price of the car was a bargain and with the 3 different driving modes I get the feeling like I purchased 3 different cars. I can drive fast and reckless in sport mode, or slow and fuel efficient in ECO. Overall this car is extremely fun to drive the instrumentation on the dash board makes me feel like I’m flying a space ship. But don’t expect the Porsche like handling that the CRX delivered.