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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  Quit whining! - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Joe - July 1 - 1:05 am

  Look folks, this is a sports car, and a four cylinder. The trunk has to be small, it has to be low to the ground, it cant carry four people properly! It is incredible at what it was meant to do which is move you with zest and smoothness. The handling is excellent, the engine very polished, visibility is great, and power features distinguish this car from the others. I always get comments and offers on the car. It has served me well in town and on long trips. It feels great the faster you go, makes all the right sounds, and gets all the looks. Yes, it uses 93 octane fuel exclusively, and it does so to maximize the power it produces if you dont, youll burn out O2 sensors!

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  Love the Car and Driving Green! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By ThinkGreen - June 30 - 9:43 pm

  The only thing I didnt like were the beige cloth seats -- they show the dirt. If the civic hybrid would have come in a hatchback, I would have purchased it instead of the sedan.

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  Grateful for our Honda and Honda Service - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Frank/Carol Speno - June 30 - 1:31 pm

  Our Honda Odyssey was purchased coming off of a lease. When we noticed that it had been used for towing we decided to purchase the extended warranty for peace of mind. So glad we did! The contacts on the sliding doors were replaced, also the transmission along with some minor things. Today the catalytic converter and the timing belt are being replaced at our cost out of warranty. This is our first major expense out of pocket. Weve gotten great service and care! We own a 1997 Accord. It is very reliable, but we prefer driving and riding in our Honda Odyssey for the comfort and ease of getting in and out and the ride. We both have back problems. We would again purchase an Odyssey. We love it!!

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  Most Un-Honda Among Five Others - 2007 Honda Accord
  By HondaVeteran - June 30 - 1:26 pm

  Among the five Accords and Civics weve owned, this one is the most un-Honda. At freeway speeds, the power train has a gear whine like an old bad differential. It whines under load and is quiet when coasting. So on the flat and level, as the load goes on and off, the whine flutters irritatingly. The acceleration is uneven when shifting from first to second. Over moderate undulations on the freeway, the rear suspension feels loose like the boulevard ride on a big, heavy GM sedan in the old days. The gas mileage barely makes the Maroni numbers (altho weve got less than 1000 miles on it.) The speed related power steering assists too much at freeway speed, and not enough when parking.

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  New To Honda Car - 2010 Honda Accord
  By MichaelFlorida - June 30 - 9:36 am

  Purchased Honda (Accord)fir the first time. Purchase experience was good. Elected to purchase the LX-P LX-P seems to be cost effective with a base of $24K, reasonable gas mileage and I hope a lower insurance cost. Driver seat LX was very hard & uncomfortable. The LX-P solved this issue with 8 power adj. seat. Mileage from the 2.4 4 is MUCH better than my 2007 Pontiac G6 3.9 6 Noise is a minor factor- you do hear & feel every bump and change in road conditions. Car is base but highly functional.

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  What a great little car. - 2005 Honda Civic
  By rrgy2k - June 30 - 1:00 am

  We bought it because were trying to get good in-town gas mileage in a car that has comfortable room for 4 adults. We havent been disappointed. Im the engineer, but my wife routinely gets the better mileage around town (41 vs my 40 on the trip odometer). Our mileage on the trip odometer is actually a couple mpgs low, because it over reads gas consumption a bit and because the speedometer reads 1.5% fewer miles than we really travel (measured on 100 miles on I95 in SC) (this also explains why it understates speed by 1.5% as well). Actual gas mileage, with 1000-2000 miles on the odometer: 37 @ 80mph, and about 44 @ 65mph.

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  Near perfect - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jefftonio - June 29 - 4:56 pm

  I recently purchased the Honda EX 06 automatic transmission sedan. I am very pleased with the car. I shopped this car and a few others. I was suprised how bad the Cobalt ran, it was awful in my opinion, noisy cheap feel. The next one was the Mazda 3 2.0. It was nice enough but was not as good as the Honda. What is love about the Honda is how quiet the car is on the road, the doors close with a luxury car thud. It handles and accelerates very well. It is roomy inside,is well-made and well thought out. The Sat radio is excellent The Nav System too although takes time to figure out. Living in New Jersey, the one thing I would have wanted was heated mirrors. Thats about it. An excellent car

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  Best vehicle ever! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By dpb - June 29 - 4:43 pm

  Really impressed with this vehicle. Certainly, it does not replace a Ford F-350 or other such trucks, but is an outstanding truck for people like me who need a truck part time to carry items too big or too dirty for a SUV and still be able to carry 5 adults in comfort. The ride is exceptional, and the creature comforts are more than enough. Love the satellite navigation and radio! Very comfortable driving position and firm but polished ride. Some reviews complain about road noise, but I certainly disagree; they must have been comparing this to a Lexus LS 430! This truck is fun and easy to drive.

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  range of keyless entry - 2007 Honda Accord
  By tbeezy - June 29 - 2:36 pm

  The range of the keyless entry and lack of horn or otheer audible single makes it hard to locate your car in a giant parking lot. the range of the feature is approx. 10 feet. If you have to be that close you do not need to hear the horn, you have already located the car.the the voice command system for other features is also poor.

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  Great car marred by infotainment & dim instruments - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Steve - June 29 - 6:18 am

  This is a great car marred only by a maddening and slow infotainment system and instrument panel lights that are difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. The infotainment would be okay except the touchscreen symbols frequently need two or three pushes to make something happen. The infotainment control wheel/button would make an acceptable substitute for dials except for the delay when you push the button to change from, say FM to Sirius/XM. Its measured in seconds - come on Honda these are electrons for heavens sake. The instrument panel lighting control doesnt seem to want to work unless the headlights are on and it is dark outside, and then you cant turn it bright enough for daytime use to offset the view through sunglasses, especially the gray-on-black center portion of the display. Hopefully Honda will check he simplicity and clarity of their past designs and get serious about a do-over. Then the Accord would be a perfect car.