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....but the Buzzing will kill me! - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Justin - April 18 - 9:54 pm

  My wife and I are fairly happy with our Pilot. We have 25k miles on it now and still doing well. Great get up and go and good simple luxury items. My only problem is the buzzing that seems to come from the entire dash no matter which road Im on. I am going to have a 2nd dealer look at it, but no improvement so far. I push on the plastic dash in many different areas and it stops for 30 seconds or so... then it starts right back up. Only option is to open the windows or turn up the stereo! I have a 1996 Corolla with 206k miles on it and still no buzzing!

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  Great car but terrible front seat. - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Chuck - April 18 - 5:50 pm

  This is my first Honda and I thought I would love it. But the front drivers seat is so uncomfortable that it is a torture to drive it more than 20 miles. My right hip and lower back hurt so bad it takes all the fun out driving. Everything else in the car is great. I love all the safety features but I might have to take a financial loss and try a different car.

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  EXTREMELY RELIABLE!!! BEST CAR IVE EVER OWNED! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Joey Stern - April 18 - 4:46 pm

  I bought this car used after totalling my 2002 toyota camry. Being a toyota guy most of my life I wanted to get a toyota again but i knew hondas are also comprable. I bought it in 2009 with 43k. Now, 8 years later at 219k I have only changed the battery and the starter. The rest has been regular maintenance (brakes, rotors, etc). Motor still runs very strong as well as the transmission. If you didnt look at the odometer you would think this car had 100k on it. If you can find a used one that was well taken care of, buy it, it doesnt have many fancy features but it wont let you down.

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  EXTREMELY RELIABLE!!! BEST CAR IVE EVER OWNED! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Joey Stern - April 18 - 4:46 pm

  I bought this car used after totalling my 2002 toyota camry. Being a toyota guy most of my life I wanted to get a toyota again but i knew hondas are also comprable. I bought it in 2009 with 43k. Now, 8 years later at 219k I have only changed the battery and the starter. The rest has been regular maintenance (brakes, rotors, etc). Motor still runs very strong as well as the transmission. If you didnt look at the odometer you would think this car had 100k on it. If you can find a used one that was well taken care of, buy it, it doesnt have many fancy features but it wont let you down.

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  A lot of fun in a small package - 2009 Honda Fit
  By ReneeSarah - April 18 - 2:06 pm

  If you are looking for something fun to drive with great interior flexibility and very good gas mileage- please consider the Honda Fit. It has very good gas mileage, a lot of interior room with back seats that fold both up and down, wonderful visibility out the front windows, accessible and logically placed dials and controls, a decent stereo system and has that almost undefinable "fun to drive" factor seriously going for it.

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  2014 Accord Hybrid Touring MPG WTF - 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By rsxing - April 18 - 8:29 am

  I purchased 2 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring sedans for my house hold and neither one has gotten close to 50 mpg. I installed the HFP 19 wheels with Continental ContiSport 3s on my Touring sedan (from my old Accord coupe) so I can forgive that car of under whelming me in the MPG dept. But with that in mind the car seems to hesitate a lot during highway speeds above 55 MPH. Not sure what sure what the cause of this is. The other car has achieved 42 MPG once and averages 37. The driver of this car is VERY conservative so the problem isnt how the sedan is being driven. I hope that this a break in period thing. Neither car drives in EV mode more than %10 of the time.

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  "08 Honda Odyssey - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By atkins92 - April 18 - 3:50 am

  Very pleased with this vehicle. It performs excellent on the highway and in the city with nimble handling for a large van and excellent acceleration when needed. The seats in every row are very comfortable and the front heated ones are nice for the cold Canadian days in the winter/spring/fall.

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  A great car, superbly e-friendly! - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Jotage - April 17 - 9:50 pm

  Comfortable, good looking,well appointed,fun to drive,ultra low emissions and average gas consumption of 43mpg, after a year of city/highway driving! My Hybrid is responsive, quick, smooth and safe. What a great small sedan!

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  With a CR-V, forget about the Rav4! - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By Paul - April 17 - 6:40 pm

  I test drove the Toyota Rav4, Hyundai Tuscon, Saturn Vue, Mitsu Outlander. The CR-V beat them hands down in every way. I should know, I buy new cars every 3-4 years. ROCK SOLID HONDA build. I used to have a DODGE Durango, now I wish I had gotten this years ago. Dont bother looking elsewhere, just get this!

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  just what we need - 2008 Honda Fit
  By about time - April 17 - 4:13 pm

  Love this car, fun, quick, great ride for a car this size. I looked at a number of small cars the fit was a hands down winner, you cant beat the amount of room in this car. The first two tanks of gas 35 mpg the next two 39 mpg cant wait to hit 40+, anyone who isnt geting 30+ needs to slow down.