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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  Superb car Honda CRV - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Durgadevi Bojja - June 3 - 6:41 am

  I like very much Honda CRV

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  happy - 2001 Honda Civic
  By dane - June 3 - 4:01 am

  Bought this car in 2014, with 127k miles, i am a pizza delivery driver and it now has 171k miles. Ive read a lot of other reviews and i can agree that when putting the car in gear from park to drive, or reverse to drive, it can slip if you step on the gas. My advice to you is: to make your tranny last, go easy on the accelerator right when you get into gear, giving your car this little time cushion will be alot safer on the transmission. you should be able feel the car drop in gear after going into drive. Other than preventative maintenance like the timing belt, water pump, oil changes, new tranny fluid, the best thing you can do is to take care of your car! do the oil changes every 5,000 miles. i started using fully synthetic oil in my car, but its up to you. Im happy with my honda! <3

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  happy - 2001 Honda Civic
  By dane - June 3 - 4:01 am

  Bought this car in 2014, with 127k miles, i am a pizza delivery driver and it now has 171k miles. Ive read a lot of other reviews and i can agree that when putting the car in gear from park to drive, or reverse to drive, it can slip if you step on the gas. My advice to you is: to make your tranny last, go easy on the accelerator right when you get into gear, giving your car this little time cushion will be alot safer on the transmission. you should be able feel the car drop in gear after going into drive. Other than preventative maintenance like the timing belt, water pump, oil changes, new tranny fluid, the best thing you can do is to take care of your car! do the oil changes every 5,000 miles. i started using fully synthetic oil in my car, but its up to you. Im happy with my honda! <3

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  Great Van for the money - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By sa125 - June 3 - 3:43 am

  We shopped Toyota and Honda. After driving both we noticed the power difference in the Honda. We really liked the styling of the Odyssey, especially the chrome on the front grille and around the windows. The Sienna was a bit more refined but the Odyssey was just plain fun to drive. This van has no trouble getting onto to major highways, the engine supplies plenty of power. You feel in touch with the road. Honda makes the option packages simple, we wanted leather and dvd, just had to find a dealer with the color we wanted at our price. It was difficult to find a Sienna XLE with Leather and DVD would be installed at dealer.

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  2001 Odyssey EX - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By noburgers - June 2 - 6:26 pm

  Excellent hwy mileage (25-29mpg so far), but poor city mileage (15-18mpg). carefree ownership exp. excellent resale. decent acceleration.

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  Been a GREAT car so far! - 1992 Honda Accord
  By of1accord - June 2 - 4:18 pm

  This car has been a fabulous car from the day we got it! Honestly, this car has not given us one minute of trouble. We are a family of four (2 elementary age children) and it serves us well. Highway fuel mileage could be a bit better than the ~28 - 29 mpg but hey we do not have any car payments and repair costs have thus far been nill. If you are looking for one very dependable car and you find one of these that does not have any rust and the interior is nice, Id say go for it even tho it might have 150 - 200K miles on it! If you are mechanically inclined (like me) they arent that hard to work on either. Just do routine maintenance (i.e. oil changes) and it will treat you good!

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  CR-V EX - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Andrea - June 2 - 11:23 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. It is so fun to drive! I was hesitant about the 5-speed but that made it even more fun. It is also Honda reliable. No problems so far!

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  Fast and Fun! - 1993 Honda Accord
  By cobra989 - June 2 - 9:53 am

  I purchased this vehicle about a year ago, and have driven the car almost 15000 miles. I really like this car, she is really fast! This is my favorite year out of the early 90s accords because of the extra power etc... Some of the mods that I have done are full intake and exhaust, indiglo guages, supercharger. The thing that I was scared about the most when I did the exhaust kit was that it would sound like a Civic, but that I4 2.2L sounds great and its definitely a head turner! The only thing that I would do to change the car a little bit is to make the engine more accessible and repairs less expensive, other than that I love this car, its gonna be hard to let go.

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  Great for the long haul! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By RKHarr - June 2 - 5:15 am

  Turned 190,000 miles after 38 months of ownership and absolutely no major mechanical repairs. We did routine maintenance, replaced tires once and the battery on this workhorse over that time. My company pays a vehicle allowance plus mileage and I could not imagine a better bang for their bucks. I am looking to sell or trade-in for the same car as the new body style becomes available for 2007. I have looked at several other wagons and small SUVs in this price range and the CRV is my winner.

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  Best car I ever owned - 2008 Honda Accord
  By none - June 2 - 3:26 am

  Best car I ever owned, fun to drive and handles really nice around corners. Really quiet at all speeds and Honda quality.