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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  Fun Car - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Renae - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. Everytime I drive it I have a big smile on my face. I waited eight months to buy it and I have never once had a second thought about the choice.

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  Love it - 2003 Honda Civic
  By HondaPride - January 16 - 2:00 am

  you cant beat the gas milage along with the reliability and with a stick on a hx is nice. i like the HX for a reason because it is hard to get so if u see one i would get it HXs is so hard to find trust me i know.

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  Rated: A+ Experience: First Hand - 1996 Honda Accord
  By Skibunie - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Jester, my Honda, has about 140,000 mi. The driver is #1, itÂ’s fun to drive, with a wide but tight suspension the 5 speed transmission is powerful a comfortable bucket seat (power) there are 99.9% non-blindspots with huge windows all the way around the sound system is good, but the CD player is better the trunk is unbelievably large (width and depth!).

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  love it, love it - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By LOVE IT, LOVE IT - January 15 - 1:10 am

  Better price then toyota, more horses, bigger tires, nicer exterior design, more interior room then toyota. (After test drive the toyota). The odyssey price and reliability has made toyota looked over their shoulders these last few years. The bottom line is I can "BRAG" that I got more "BANG" for my minivan than TOYOTA.

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  My First Honda And Fell in Love!!! - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Harry Maryland - January 14 - 10:30 pm

  Test drove 4Runner, Pathfinder, Explorer before I bought the Pilot. Pilot satisfied me the most. Pathfinder and 4Runner "maybe" stronger in power but both are noisier. Pilot gives the smoothiest ride, acting like a car. I hear some people say that when in 70-80 mph, it vibrates, never happened to me. The problem for me is it is so smooth that you could easily get a speeding ticket without noticing anything. Gas mileage is decent, my calculation justified the 24 miles/gal claim for highway. This is my first Honda and will have more. The interior space is much bigger than Pathfinders (at least feel like). By the way, I got the EXL 2 front wheel drive w/navigation systems. Price is reasonable.

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  excellent buy - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Mack - January 14 - 7:36 am

  What a Blast!! A really outstanding vehicle and fun also. Not only fun to drive but good looks also.

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  For the money you cant beat it! - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Jsherm - January 14 - 2:00 am

  After just 1000 miles this car has been a dream. All the power you need is there along with Hondas reputation for a quality automobile. When you compare the cost to speed (eg. looking in the back of Road and Track for specs on all makes and models of cars, incl. cost, 0- 60, braking, etc.), there is only one other car that has a 5.5sec 0-60 rating for under $35k and thats the 350z. This car is the best bang for the buck out there.

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  Best overall value - 2009 Honda Accord
  By KG - January 13 - 9:23 pm

  I decided to buy Accord EX over Civic Hybrid but went with my heart instead of my head. Accord is really big but it is driven like a mid size car. Overall build quality and design is better than Camry and other competitors. Mazda6 is the best in terms of pure driving experience but the overall quality and resell value are major concerns. Civic Hybrid is probably the best choice in term of overall value but it does not come close to Accord in every other aspects.

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  Honda gets it right! - 2018 Honda Ridgeline
  By Dan Wells - January 13 - 5:30 pm

  After much deliberation and some arm twisting by my wife I purchased a White Diamond Pearl RTL-E. I have owned a lot of trucks in the past: a Ford Ranger, 2 Mazdas, an F150 and 4 Tundras. The Ridgeline by far is the nicest truck Ive owned. The Ranger and Mazdas were underwhelming to say the least whereas the F150 and Tundras were way more truck than I needed. Like most truck owners 95% of the time my truck is used just like a car, as a mode of transportation. The other 5% of the time its used to haul mulch, appliances, furniture, tow a utility trailer with a zero turn mower and about 4 times a year its called on to tow our 4500# camper. Like most people I dont do any serious off roading, rock crawling or mogul jumping. Honda is the only manufacturer that has its priorities right in building the Ridgeline. They built a vehicle that guys (and gals) like me "need" first of all and then did a great job of giving us a few things we want. I "need" a truck thats easy to get in and out of (Im 65), gets decent gas mileage, is relatively easy to maneuver and park, does not swallow my garage, can haul a decent amount of stuff and most importantly can tow close to 5,000#s. The Ridgeline is the only truck that checks all those "need" boxes. My last truck, a Tundra, only checked the last 2. It was a great truck but way more truck than I needed. While Honda was at it they gave owners a few wants: a car like ride, an awesome sounding audio system, a super quiet ride and most of all great reliability. My biggest concern is its ability to tow my Jayco X18D camper. The Tundra did a great job, no question about that. With the same brake controller and weight distribution hitch, the Ridgeline does exceedingly well. And amazingly with the camper hooked up the rear of the Ridgeline only squats a half an inch! The Tundra squatted an inch and a half. I am certain Honda has "overbuilt" this truck to cope with a 5,000# trailer, camper, boat etc. I believe they have settled on that tow limit for liability reasons and not on the Ridgelines actual towing ability. According to the sticker on the hitch the truck is rated for a 600# max hitch weight. Hitch weights are always rated at 10% of the max towing ability, thus Im sure the Ridgeline could safely tow 6,000#s. And as a daily driver the Ridgeline really shines. We recently took a vacation from Ohio to Florida and averaged 26mpg. Way better than the Tundras 17-18. The ride is so smooth and quiet that it truly is on par with, if not exceeds our 14 Lexus GS350. For a truck its simply amazing. Thanks Honda for building a truck, that if most truck owners were honest, would admit its all the truck they "need."

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  Very special car! - 2017 Honda Accord
  By John Czm - January 13 - 9:04 am

  I had 11 news cars before my SE including 6 European. I can say that this is the best choice so far. Bought it in September 2017, have driven 3000 mile without a single issue. I like driving firm, responsive and tight tuned cars which Accord Sport has all these tastes with very reasonable price. Interior is beautiful, seats are very comfortable, leather gives high quality ambiance. Most of people think that Sport or Sport SE are just polished LX which is not true. Sport SE has many upgrades; mechanical: bigger rotors, sharper steering ratio, direct flow exhaust, interior features: black headliner, leather heated seats, very attractive aluminum pedals and 60:40 rear seat. All these upgrades create a special car without breaking a bank. Everything is rock solid in the car, drives great, great responsive handling for a family sedan. I am writing this after a major snow storm and ice rain, this car keeps its strong handling character. This is my first Honda, vtec engine is a great sample of engineering and the cvt transmission is much better than competitors, smooth and responsive if you use the Sport mode. Highly recommended to daily drivers who doesn’t want to invest in over price crossovers.