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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  Didnt Love it, Until I Drove It - 2015 Honda Crosstour
  By really1 - April 1 - 3:12 pm

  After the winter of 2014 here in the Northeast, I decided to trade in my 2013 Acura Tsx Sport wagon in. I knew I wanted AWD and wanted to stick with Honda. The Acura RDX...my first choice..rode really stiff and the discount was awful. The CX-5 also had barely a discount and felt cheap inside. The Ford Edge,2014,was a little old to me, knowing the 15 was on its way and only rode OK. I dont like the CVT transmissions - so that knocked out both the CRV and any Subaru (although Subaru was never really an option) I NEVER considered the Crosstour until I drove it. Love the ride and handling.

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  Great car but needs work - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By emaui07 - March 31 - 11:03 pm

  The overall interior of the car is good. The back seats give more room than the older models. The middle counsel arm rest is comfortable and there is a lot of room. But there are some issues. There is a hard vibration to the car when you are at a complete stop, so hard that the front seats shake hard and it is very noticeable. Also the a/c does not work well on hot days. Hardly anything comes out of the main vents when you have the feet and top on at the same time. I think I would trade it in if I could but Im in a lease.

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  good ride - 2009 Honda Civic
  By adel6 - March 31 - 8:38 am

  I have owned a 2009 Honda from repokar auto auction. Overall, good ride. Great for a larger family or for when the grandparents want to take all the kids to the zoo! Comfortable ride and roomy. I like it))

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  700,000 and still going 1 engine change - 1991 Honda Accord
  By J Emerson McGowan - March 27 - 7:53 am

  bought new in 91. Have had some issues over the years. Got away from the dealer repair charges... was killing me. Could not walk in there without dropping $600 min. Have found 2 good mechanics who keep it running. Interior getting a bit raggedy but, it keeps running. 3rd clutch but they lasted about 300k each. Some rust out around rear wheel wells and bottom of back door. I got no car note and I am happy. Just cant part with a car that keeps running. Probably bought a cheap bmw for the money I have put in it over the years. But, scumbag mechanics in the past have not helped. Now, thank god I have 2 great guys that fix my shorty and it keeps going. Need to fix the heater core now and the dash

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  Not Impressed with my 2011 accord - 2011 Honda Accord
  By Tyler Crisp - March 26 - 3:01 am

  (1)After driving the car for about 5k miles the screen in the dash started to flash "tighten fuel cap" the fuel cap was on, i took my car to honda and they said nothing was wrong.(2)The steering wheel shakes, not extremely bad but enough to raise a flag, honda said nothing was wrong though.(3) There is a problem with the lock also. Sometimes they will not lock after exiting the car, and ill have to lock all of them manually(not a big deal but not expected for a 2011 vehicle especially a honda) Sometimes they will not unlock with the remote. I havent even bothered to take the car to honda to see what the problem is.(4)I had to replace the battery at 37k miles for some reason.

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  Test drive is not enough - 2015 Honda Fit
  By newfit - March 25 - 4:36 pm

  After seeing all the glowing specs on this car, I did TWO twenty min test drives. It seemed comfortable enough for a subcompact and fun to drive.. Only 100 miles on it and it is wicked on my old back. This feature seems to be buried in the reviews like edmonds and Kelly Blue book. I have a 5 hour drive up coming, and I am really really fearful. Now what? Can my budget really take trading in a car thats only 2 weeks old. No more Hondas for me I think.

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  Nice vehicle, subpar audio system! - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Parijat Juvale - March 24 - 3:53 pm

  I have owned Accord 2015 for almost 3 months now and I love it! Adequate pick up, excellent mileage, not much wind/road noise, quite comfortable. Ride quality could be firm for some but I find it fine. Gas mileage is as advertized, in fact many times I exceed it. But then I have a very light foot! I do have reservation about 2 screens though! I dont understand why there are 2 screens, which makes menu system unnecessarily complicated. I guess just one, little bit larger touch screen should suffice. Secondly, the audio system sucks! The sound quality is ridiculously bad. My decade old Toyota had a better sounding stereo!

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  Horrible interior quality - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By rvaldez3 - March 23 - 11:00 pm

  Ive been a loyal honda consumer for years!! Although I love my pilot I am very disappointed on the quality of the interior. The center arm rest completely tore. I mean, I paid extra for leather interior, come to find out that center arm rest is absolutely not leather but a super thin plastic material. The door arm rest also has torn. Same cheap material. I dont get it. Im not an abusive driver or car owner. I am very careful with my cars. Very disappointed.

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  This might anger the 8th gen fans - 2012 Honda Civic
  By co_luv - March 16 - 9:50 am

  Sorry guys but in terms of factory performance and day to day driving. This takes the cake. Yes its a tight race on the streets (From a dig, though honda kids dont know anything but roll starts), but in the SCCA events I have used the 9th gen in, it blows my times from the 8th Gen I traded to get it. It is still more oriented to day to day driving so I get the pain. It doesnt feel Raw like the 8th Gen. Then again I said that when I traded my GSR for the 8th gen. This car is solid, has proven me well both on the track and on the streets.

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  Like it so far - 2015 Honda Fit
  By Dan Limitone - March 15 - 10:47 pm

  New owner with Two weeks and 700 miles now. Purchased the EX with CVT Transmission. So far gas mileage is 38-41 mpg. The engine is pretty spunky however when climbing hills the CVT tends to make the engine work to find the perfect spot...so it gets a little busy. Ive had newer Civics, CRVs and find them a little quieter and refined but also realizing the price point on the Fit it seems a fair trade off. Purchased on the last day of the month so after calling around I feel I got a fair price and didnt have to travel far. So far, so good.