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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  Amazing!!! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By L7jr - July 13 - 5:30 pm

  I feel I can now judge the car after owning it for about 1,400 miles. The performance of the engine is more than adequate especially when moving the shifter from D to D3 and back again to get that extra power when merging or passing. The steering and handling are amazing. The styling of this car, especially the front makes me want to drool when I gaze at it. Fuel economy is also excellent. I consistently average 30MPG between my fill-ups. The two-tier dashboard is perfect as well as the great stereo. I love the fact that I can plug my MP3 player into it and let the subwoofer do its thing. This car is defintely worth the money when broken down dollar for dollar against the TC and Corolla.

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  Wonderful car, we love it! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Thien - July 13 - 5:16 pm

  Excellent design both in and out. Very fun to drive and love to look at the MPG gauge to see how Im doing. Have to turn a 180 on driving habits. Just bought the car last week so I cant say much about the mileage. Currently the computer estimated at 35 mpg w/AC blasted all the time in city drive. Cant wait to get up to the EPA estimate.

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  Great car so far - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Thomas - July 13 - 3:13 pm

  Only had it a few weeks but its been great so far.

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  first japanese make - will never go back - 2006 Honda Civic
  By neilb - July 13 - 10:53 am

  the interior is very nice. i was going to purchase the prius until i saw the interior of the civic. it is more refined and the strange center console on the prius bothered me. i really like the exterior styling. my gas mileage has averaged around 48 mpg and i expect it to go up after the break-in period. the navigation system is a must have. i have the silver opal and the color is great. seems to change depending on the time of day. safety features are unprecedented: 6 airbags standard, abs, a.c.e. structure protects during collision, front seat weight and position sensors, active head restraints are all standard.

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  Ideal Small SUV - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Newbie - July 13 - 4:43 am

  Im a Toyota person having owned and loved my Highlander and other Toyotas over the years, but I wanted a smaller SUV. The Rav4 has a bit better "fit and finish" and lots to like, but I did not want the rear door that opens like a car door nor the tire there. The AWD CR-V handles very well in snow, and the 4 cyl engine performs well enough for me. The CRV is the perfect size for me. It looks beautiful to me and gives a panoramic view of the road like other SUVs. Its safety record is tops.

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  i miss my prelude - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By bluemerle - July 13 - 2:00 am

  Drove it for six years and loved it. Just bought an SUV and wish i still had a fun fast car. Not one single mechanical problem in six years! Amazing.

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  Best car - 1993 Honda Accord
  By Martha Marquez - July 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my car for three years. I needed a car that was dependeble which this one was. Im a single female that dosent have time to take my car in and out of mechanics. I never once took my car because it gave me problems. I believe that Honda makes awesome cars. I plann to purchase another Honda.

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  Honda Accord Hybrid May Be Best Value Honda - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Tom Hockman - July 12 - 7:30 pm

  I wasnt planning to buy an Accord Hybrid sedan. I was deciding between a 2018 Sport or EX, and casually inquired about the price of a Hybrid. To my shock, a 2017 EX-L Hybrid was only $26,500, about the same as a new Sport and and $750 less than a new EX. That price is at least $6000 off sticker price, so it was a deal too good to pass up. Ive owned a 2007 Civic Hybrid and a 2014 Toyota Prius, so hybrids are not new to me. I bought the car without too much analysis up-front, but have studied it more after buying it two weeks ago and putting about 900 miles on it. From an gas-electronic analysis, the transition between electric and gas motors are seamless. You can tell by sound which motors are invoked, but the car doesnt jerk when switching modes. Other than the information display indicating which motor(s) are active, you might not even know. I tested the car through one tank without Eco Mode on and got about 45 mpg in mixed driving. Within Eco Mode on, Im getting 48 or better in cool to cold weather. The digital dash displays take a little training to understand what all the icons and bar indicators mean, but that plays into a hybrid owners love of such a car (more on this in a minute). This redesigned hybrid for 2017 has a combined 212 horsepower, and combined with a midsize car, you wont believe you can get the stated 48/47 mpg until you see it for yourself. Those Honda engineers have really outdone themselves. The Sport mode is extra peppy and a nice treat for revving the engine up for acceleration. The eCVT transmission still doesnt jerk between gear ratios for a really smooth ride. I traded in a 2015 Accord EX for this hybrid and can tell definite improvement in the suspension and steering between this 2017 and my 2015. The leather interior is black, my first ever black interior. Im loving the heated seats in cold weather. Not sure how Ill like them in summer when its 100 degrees in the cabin after sitting in the sun, but the seats have ventilation holes that might make them a bit less scorching. Ill report on the summer comfort of black leather at a later date. The dual video screens take a bit getting used to. The EX-L has Apple Play integration which I love. With that said, its a bit finicky to work with. Ive had a podcast app go quiet through the system after shutting the car off and trying to resume the same podcast later after reconnecting the phone. The navigation of the video screen is not intuitive, but you will learn the main menu paths pretty quickly. I know which options Ill be picking most often, so the lack of intuitiveness is not a show stopper. The touch volume control is not preferred over a physical knob, but I can live with it and the steering controls. The XM radio is a welcome addition, but still deciding if Ill continue to subscribe after the trial. With the 2017 hybrid, you lose the fold-down seat capability compared to the gas Accord, so thats a small drawback. The car feels very solid and well-built. Time will tell how the mechanicals hold up over the long haul, but I have a good feeling that it will be reliable. Some other reviewers have complained about Hybrid reliability and have had many issues with the systems. With my two previous hybrids I did not ever have mechanical failures of the hybrid technology or gas engine components. I will update my experience with the car as I drive it further. The Eco Score on the MIDI is nice, but a little hard to figure out until you read the owners manual; it is both a current drive and lifetime score of hybrid efficiency. As far as all the information provided for gas mileage rankings and driver information, Ill say that Im the perfect type of owner for a hybrid because I like playing the game of getting the best possible gas mileage in a car. Many drivers might be happy just to get 150% better mpg than a gas equivalent model, but I think a lot of hybrid owners like the challenge of driving for ideal gas mileage with every tankful. Its a game of sorts, and the numerous gauges and measures keep the driving informed of their success if squeezing every drop out of the gas tank. Range on a tank of gas is around 700 miles, so youll be spending a lot less time at the gas pump with this car. Very happy with my impulse purchase!

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  Very Satisfied - 1992 Honda Accord
  By Rocky M - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle, 120,000 miles and still origional brakes, it doesnt burn any oil and there is not rust. What can I say the only problem I had was an Oxygen sensor in the exaust failed and that was covered under warrenty. Ive had the car 11 years and look forward to another 4-5 years easily. Ive even spoken to people who have over 300,000 miles and are still going strong!

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  Best In class - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By DaCarMan - July 12 - 2:00 am

  I have to say, we have never owned an SUV but have owned several Honda Pruducts. I originally wanted an MDX but the Pilot is such a better deal. Rides good, excellent gas milage for an SUV. Huge inside and looks small out side. How do they do that????