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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  Our Honda Odyssey - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Aytonsown - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This has been an excellent cross country vehicle. Cargo space is excellent for "snow birds".

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  EXTREMELY PLEASED - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By twills - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Three weeks old and loving it. I have owned Hondas before and went astray, never again. I am thrilled with it. Engine seems more like a 6 cylinder. I hope I get as good service as I did my prior Hondas. Highly recommend.

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  Excellent Economical Car - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Arthur Tucker - May 2 - 11:50 pm

  My wife and I needed a new car. We have owned 7 Accords since 1987, the latest being a 2002 Accord EX. We wanted Honda quality, reliability, and resale value, but needed better fuel economy (we got "only" 25 MPG highway with the 2002 Accord EX). We have had our red Civic EX for 2 weeks now, and love this car. This is a sharp looking car. It has a sun roof, alloy wheels and anti-lock brakes. The highway ride is smooth and acceptably quiet, although a couple of bumps on bridges on I-89 in Vermont were a bit jarring. For a trip from Boston to northern Vermont and halfway back which included mixed city, highway, and country driving, we got 36.5 MPG, on only our 3rd tankful of gas.

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  Impressed with civic exl - 2008 Honda Civic
  By andrew - May 2 - 3:46 pm

  Just purchased a exl civi auto. This is a luxury compact car with room in it. Sweet engine, nice leather seating and most all the bells and whistles. Quiet, sporty, frugal, and good looking. Just loving it. With good gas mileage, an upscale interior, why pay more.

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  Im in love! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By badebop - May 2 - 7:00 am

  It happened before I even got out of the dealership for a test drive. Lots of interior space, good visibility all around, striking dash layout, small steering wheel, quiet engine, smooth but firm ride, good acceleration, quiet cruise at 70. I ordered the metallic beige, 17" wheels (which are brown), side spoilers, rear spoiler, trunk spoiler, fog lights, full front "bra" cover, auto/day-nite mirror, leather steering wheel cover. A beautiful car. I easily removed the CIVIC nameplate from the trunk and it looks $10,000 more expensive. Its a head-turner. I even got 8 yr. extended warranty plus interior/exterior/undercarriage protection. Ended up being $8,000 more than base...but worth it

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  IT JUST WONT DIE - 1992 Honda Civic
  By Silencer - May 2 - 2:00 am

  i had a civic 1992 cx , so far its the first and best car i have had. for a first car i was really killing it. didnt do an oil change in 6 or 9 months, i was driving without oil sometimes , even brought it to 190kmph WITHOUT OIL... i was young :) and freaking nuts. :( ... after all i did to it , it rarly died on me. and when it did it was an old part that did its time (clutch at 180k, radiator at 177k brakes,) thats it the only reason i sold it is cuz it was rusted like hell. and clutch died cuz i was teaching my friends to drive standard and they were killing it) VERY RELIABLE CAR ! and the body holds together more than the new cardboard civics.

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  Imagine More 4 Less - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Larry Y. - May 1 - 10:33 pm

  Thats right! Honda has done it time and time again, we recevied more for less for our dollars. This is our third Honda. 1st two were Civics, and this time my wife wanted an upgrade so we considered and purchased the Accord EX-L. Considered Acura, Toyota, Volvo, but glad we stayed with Honda. Unbelievable power, response, and smoothness from the 2.4L 4 cyl. due in part to the technological advancements like the "Drive by Wire" throttle control. This is the same engine thats in the Acura TSX de-tuned but for $5-6K less. Feels like a little V- 6. Great gas mileage and handling. Love the leather. Yes, we did receive more for less!

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  honda lx coupe - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Dennis Lesieur - May 1 - 6:23 pm

  I had a sedan and find the handling better on the coupe. It has plenty of power for a 4 cylinder engine and handles well.

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  2009 Civic - Should Have Bought the EX-L - 2009 Honda Civic
  By DG - May 1 - 12:13 pm

  Bought it one month ago, and its everything I was looking for in a new car. Great handling and fun to drive. Ultra cold air conditioning, very quiet engine, smoooooth transmission, excellent turning, aesthetically pleasing interior, stops on a dime. After purchasing the car, made the mistake of driving a friends 2009 Civic EX-L. Although my cloth seats are very comfortable, the leather seats are even more comfortable, and they dress up the cars interior quite nicely. For the few extra dollars, would go for the EX-L if I could do it all over again.

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  We Love Our Ridgeline! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Gary Cunningham - May 1 - 11:50 am

  After three months and 6,000 miles, including a 3,500 mile roundtrip journey between Ohio and Texas, my wife and I love our Ridgeline. Its everything as advertised, and more. The ride is unbelievably smooth, quiet and comfortable. The dual climate control is fantastic. The EPA Mileage Rating of 21 MPG rang true. The in- bed trunk provides all the secure storage space one could ask for, and its truly weather proofed. We drove through some serious thunderstorms, and several car washes to get the road grime off. Not a drop of water got inside the trunk. It also makes a great tailgate ice chest, too. Ridgeline is truly the wave of the future for any truck/suv owner.