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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  Honda EX Auto/Navigation, one sweet ride - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Melch - April 26 - 7:26 pm

  I have driven this car for 15 months (35,000) and I have never gotten less that 38.5 MPG highway and as high 41.5. This car is exceptional and for the price, the value cant beat. It drives like my BMW Z3 as far as handling goes, but does not have the HP to make it as zippy

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  Best Value - 2006 Honda Element
  By Chris - April 26 - 5:11 pm

  First new car that I have ever bought. Love the ride, however, it is a little choppy. But feature for feature, dollar for dollar, with the honda name behind the vehicle, it is a great value that my wife and I are sure to enjoy for quite a while.

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  Civic Review - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Nate - April 26 - 4:50 pm

  My Honda, which I bought because of its flawless reputation, has been nothing but good for me. MPG is great, up to 36 on the highway. Add a cold air intake and better wheels and tires and you got yourself a ride! The power of the engine leaves some room for improvement, but you cant complain about 127 stock horses under the hood of a 4-banger. My only other complaint is the paint job. The finish ships if you look at it wrong. Overall a great car though! Wouldnt trade it for the world.

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  Careful: These annoyances add up! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By imrickjamesbch - April 26 - 11:11 am

  My 2013 Accord EX-L V6 w/navigation 2/13 purchase started off going the wrong way leaving my dealers lot: 1. the car simply pulls to the left only at highway speeds. Two dealer visits within that week were a waste of time. They wont/cant figure out why this is so (any Im not only driving on crowned roads). Had I noted this during my two test drives prior to purchase, I would have passed on this car. Annoying! Youve been warned. 2. The audio system certainly is sexy and inviting, but when little things dont work like the subwoofer to the email/text message reading feature (using an iPhone 5)...or the lack of any Gracenote update installed in the car (until July 2013): grrrrrr

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  Great Car - 1995 Honda Civic
  By AL STEIN - April 26 - 9:34 am

  I have owned this car for 10 years and it has never given me any trouble at all. If you need a no worries around town car you can not go wrong. Fun to drive, sips gas and my 5 speed manual has enough zoom to keep all but sports car types happy. Unless I need a sedan for my new child I will buy another Civic for my next car (if this one ever dies!!)

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  Transparent - 1995 Honda Civic
  By NGB - April 26 - 8:54 am

  Bought this new and its been simple and affordable to own. Its been pretty transparent in the sense that I dont have to think about whether or not it will work or get me where I want to go.

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  Extremely impressed - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Andrew Kim - April 26 - 8:45 am

  I had this car for about a month now... My previous car was a hand-me-down 2004 Acura TL and, while I absolutely loved the car (and the 270 hp), the Accord blew it out of the water. I have not driven anything crazy like an M4, so my standards as far as the sound of the engine arent too high yet. But I personally love the sound of the Accords engine. Right amount of bass for my ears, and because its only 189hp, I can floor it without risking a speeding ticket. The exclusive Obsidian Blue you can get on the Sport SE is absolutely stunning. The only other dark blue thats comparable is on a Tesla I saw the other day. The 19" wheels you get on the Sport SE are very similar to something you might find on a Mercedes. Using paddle shifters on a CVT is a little weird (and it has 7 gear settings, so you do have to click a lot), but it emulates the jerky feeling you get from an automatic. The interior is VERY upscale for a car of this level. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels too much like my moms BMW 335i M Sport steering wheel (and it feels amazing). The carbon fiber trim and piano black panels are really nice to look at, and theres padded, stitched leather everywhere. I swapped out the original halogen headlights for some really bright LEDs since thats the only thing that really holds this car back in terms of appearance. You should not be allowed to get a car with this much value at this price point. The only complaint I have is that if you drive around 12-2PM and the sun is directly above you, the instrument panel and the entertainment display get a bad glare because the sun reflects off the bottom panel and goes on the clear window, making it hard to see the speedometer and stuff. If they changed the angle of the clear window covering all the instrumentation, it might have worked better, but its a minor complaint.

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  First suv - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Scott - April 26 - 2:41 am

  This is the best mid-level SUV you can buy for the money... Honda rocks...

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  2nd one is even better - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By bburris3 - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased my second one. Great resale on my 2003 by the way. Superior quality. The most bang for the buck in the SUV market. Excellent AWD system.

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  Get your transmissions checked!!!! - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Foghorn - April 26 - 2:00 am

  We bought this 2000 EX used with 93,000 miles on it, relying on Hondas rep that it will last a long time. We thought the tranny (automatic) was a little Jerky, so we brought it in, and it needs a new one, Honda is paying for it, but we nearly got scr*wed because it has 98,700 miles, and Honda only guarantees up to 100,000. Bring yours in and get it checked, they are not mailing out recalls!