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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  Great Car!!! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By cableguy2 - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Wanted a roadster, fun to drive, powerful, but not a "chick" roadster. Looked at Porsche, BMW, etc. s2000 was best and cheapest in its class. Great handling/acceleration. Nicer interior than Porsche. Quality Honda all the way. Plus, I dont pass an s2000 every 10 yards on the road.

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  perfect SUV - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By robduck - March 14 - 10:00 am

  just got the new pilot. i have been a honda fan/ owner since the days of the first hatchbacks and this SUV is just about perfect. my extremely-hard- -to-pleas ewife had grown tired of my honda preference, but ALLOWED me to purchase the car - she loves it. - no complaints at all.

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  New Honda Civic - 2004 Honda Civic
  By KSC - March 14 - 10:00 am

  We bought our new civic after researching all Sedans on Edmunds. With the pricing provided we were able to get it at invoice with 2.9% financing.

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  im in love! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By lannabug - March 14 - 10:00 am

  This honda is my first car, Im a 20 year old college student. I couldnt decide between a civic or a corolla. I test drove both and decided that the honda was the better choice for me. Im in love with it! Its beautiful inside and out. I have it in the new color for 2004 (magnesium metallic) and the interior cloth is gray. It rides nices, the sound system is decent, everything about it is perfect for me! We shopped around on the internet and used the TMV price to settle on 15,200. The dealer we bought from was great, but the dealer we test drove from tried to sell us an $800 package that was unecessary. Dont fall for an extra fees!

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  I just Love my Accord - 2004 Honda Accord
  By KellyPina - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Since I have purchased my Accord LX Ive been in Heaven on the road. My experiance with this car has been smooth, extremely comfortable and definately reliable. I have not had any problems what so ever with this vehicle. I always said Even if I was a Millionaire I would still drive a Honda Accord.

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  NO-NONSENSE car - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By crv owner - March 13 - 8:53 pm

  Had it since 9/26/2006. When I signed the contract, they didnt even have a brochure. Honda made me pay the full MSRP :( I wanted white originally but ended up with silver. I have no major complaints. It gets you from here to there without any fuss. (gas mileage is pretty okay... engine power is good enough... what do you expect from honda cr-v anyways?) Some of the features which Im really happy with are... plays mp3 music, shows oil life %, shows gas mileage avg etc... backseat folding twice to make more room in the back.

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  Multipule Personalities - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Nlove - March 13 - 9:20 am

  This is the most well balanced vehicle on the market for Performance/Econ. Stomp on it and ride the red line this car feels like a mini formula 1 but on the other hand I drove this car from Pagosa Springs CO. to Payson AZ driving 70mph in 6th gear on 1 tank of gas and got 41 mpg yes I said 41 mpg. Honda Engineers should me awarded for this one. For the ones who dont like to ride the red line dont buy this car get the civic ex (have one of those two) the extra power isnt usable until 6800 rpms. This is a fun fun ride that Honda really did their homework on. Thanks Honda for making this Civic SI.

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  A diamond in the rough... - 2000 Honda Insight
  By Gazoo - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Of the ten or so vehicles I have owned, this is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. Performance is great (keep in mind that it weighs =1800 lbs), its a blast to drive, phenomenal mileage (I averaged 87 mpg on a 250 mile trip once), etc. Ive spent roughly $1100 in gas over 50k miles the 2 years Ive had the Insight. I never realized how much attention this car would receive from all walks and places of life. I cannot say enough positive things about this car. Ill keep it until I die.

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  Active safety at reasonable price - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Harold Manasa - March 12 - 10:19 am

  For under $25k, the Honda Accord LX CVT sensing has active braking and lane mitigation. Too bad, theres no audio or active braking when backing up. Quality of interior materials is not up to VW standards, but, much more car for the money, and should be reliable. Also, the views out of the car are better than most these days.

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  Active safety at reasonable price - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Harold Manasa - March 12 - 10:19 am

  For under $25k, the Honda Accord LX CVT sensing has active braking and lane mitigation. Too bad, theres no audio or active braking when backing up. Quality of interior materials is not up to VW standards, but, much more car for the money, and should be reliable. Also, the views out of the car are better than most these days.