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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  We named it Zippy - 2007 Honda Fit
  By tntprmtns - April 12 - 8:53 am

  I was really not even going to look at the fit but my mechanic encouraged me to. Well Im pleasantly suprised. Its got the fuel economy for my weekday commute and lots of space for my weekend dogwalks and camping trips. Its got more zip than you would think but its not the Civic and it does get chucked around a bit in high winds. Bad thing is there arent many of them so there are no real good "deals" to be hand. But at the price you really cant got wrong.

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  Valuable Coupe - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Luis Fernandez - April 12 - 6:45 am

  Love the car, except for the head room. If you are over 6 feet tall, look for something else. Otherwise, its a great small car.

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  Total miss for Moms - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Jessica - April 12 - 2:48 am

  I love just about everything about my Pilot. Lots of room on the inside, comfortable, good storage. However, they missed a couple of VERY VERY VERY important features for a busy, distracted mom. 1) The bluetooth is more of a pain than it is worth. You are limited on dialing while driving - I spend lots of time in stop and go traffic, and that is when I make my calls, but I have to use my phone to make the calls, then transferring over is dicey on whether or not it works. 2) The touchscreen is good in theory, but doesnt translate well to driving and trying to use it. 3) The Pilot also does not have volume knob. It may seem like a small detail, but if you hear a funny sound coming from the kids in the back, and you need IMMEDIATE silence, you wont get it with the Pilot. You dont realize how often you need your radio muted, until you drive this car and realize that you have to hit the volume "area", and then get your finger on the TINY mute button, all the while you have a child puking in your back seat. Or you can choose to use the steering wheel control, and hit the down arrow 47 times. Either way, it is a total nuisance. Had I know this before, I would NOT have bought the car. Its THAT important. My husband thought I was being dramatic, then we took the Pilot on a 3 hour trip. At the end, he agreed the entire touch screen was worthless, and the muting is a real problem.

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  The SUV that could. - 2005 Honda Element
  By Dave - April 12 - 1:56 am

  This is a fun vehicle. The salesman told me that they sell most of their Elements to over 40 crowd. I am 50ish.This is a great all round vehicle, that does not have the foul carpet smell from wet snow.

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  2003 CRV Honda - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Ron - April 12 - 12:42 am

  Without a doubt this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. This 2003 AWD Honda CRV is very peppy & gets 23 MPH in the city and over 30 on a trip. I have owned 12 new vehicles in my life and this Honda has them all beat. Its trouble free and gets good gas mileage! What else could you ask for. I am a happy Honda Customer

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  BEST USED CAR TO BUY - 1993 Honda Accord
  By John - April 11 - 9:52 pm

  I cant believe how good these cars are. I bought a used one with 190,000 miles on it. Everyone thought I was crazy to pay $3500 for it but let me tell you. Now I have 250K on the car and IT STILL RUNS LIKE NEW. I will never sell this car, Cheap on gas, but you do have to fix few common problems every now and then. CV axes, radiator, speed sensor, and oxygen sensor. THATs it. And only every 60K or so... not bad. So dont just keep reading this, go and buy one. You will love it.

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  1998 Civic EX 5spd - 1998 Honda Civic
  By Tony - April 11 - 8:05 pm

  Ive owned this car for almost six years its got over 120,000 miles and still runs like new. I have never done anything to the engine or transmission, just regular oil change every 3K miles and a maintenance timing belt and water pump at 90K. Air filter and brakes when required. Im getting 33mpg. Its a very reliable car.

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  15K review, not so perfect - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By path4 - April 11 - 2:34 pm

  I have owned it for about 11 month and put it 15K miles. Averaged 14mpg city, 20-22mpg highway @75-85mph. The seat is not comfortable. I can not find a configuration that fully support my back. Not a problem for short trips, but I take long trips often and I always have back pain and sour neck after driving 2 hours. Engine is pretty quiet, but wind noise and road noise become annoying @ 80mph. More sound dumpening material should be used. Both my wife (not a good driver) and I find it easier to drive than corolla and accord. The rear backup sensor is well worth the money.

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  Runs Great - Poor Interior Design - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Fitzee - April 11 - 7:43 am

  I get that this car was designed before social media. While I love the car itself (holds its value, runs great, good in the snow) the interior design SUCKS. There is NO place to put your phone. Unless you want it in the giant covered pocket in the console where, because it has no "not an ashtray" (like my Pilot did), I have to keep my spare change. The USB port is buried way down the bottom of the dashboard, not easy to get it & you need a long cord running to your phone to keep it charged. The AUX port is buried in the "box" between the seats. Since I play my ipod alot (& this car has no built in Bluetooth) I have a cord coming out of there for my music as well. People always ask me how I like my car. I always say "nice car, sucky interior design". Im now looking at a newer CRV, the design inside seems better. Course in my opinion, it couldnt be much worse than this one.

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  owner - 2007 Honda Accord
  By GARYSTEINHARDT - April 11 - 2:33 am

  great car, fun to drive, fast and good on gas, good workmanship, has lots of head room on the inside and easy to get into.