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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  My baby Stella - 2005 Honda Element
  By Stella - March 14 - 12:36 am

  Drives like a dream. She glides on a smooth road and isnt intimidated by ice or snow. Ive lived with her in Indiana and Colorado - and I tell ya, she eats ice for breakfast. The cargo room is incredible. The seats are comfortable. And theres some special bond that all Element owners seem to carry and share with one another. :)

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  2008 Honda CR-V EX-L 4dr SUV AWD - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By nmcdonald - March 14 - 12:13 am

  I decided to buy this car based on Edmunds editor and consumer reviews, track record, price, and purported high gas mileage. I was selecting between the Mazda CX-9 and the Nissan Murano, and the CR-V. Since I was replacing a Toyota Camry, I thought that the size of the CR-V would be fine. The price was lower than the other two and the gas mileage, I thought would be great in comparison to the other two vehicles. Even though I receive about 24 to 25.5 mpg on my commutes according to the car, I can still only seem to average about 300 miles or 20 mpg per tank. I drive mostly highway miles and the mileage range advertised is not for the AWD models

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  honda insight owner - 2000 Honda Insight
  By paul burns - March 13 - 6:15 pm

  I have been driving my Insight for close to 5 years. Overall, it has performed very well-even when the battery pack unexpectedly failed recently (it was 6 years old), I had no problems getting back on the road in about 2 weeks, completely covered by Hondas warranty. Ive averaged over 54 mpg, mostly in short-trip, city driving in Michigan, where the cold winters reduce mileage quite a bit. However in the summer, I easily average 60 mpg or more.

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  Loved it...until it hit 60,000 miles :( - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Sharon - March 13 - 5:48 pm

  I bought a 2008 CR-V brand new, straight off the boat, and loved it. Friends, family, and coworkers had CR-Vs, and loved theirs also, until they all started to get hit by the "A/C gremlin" in about 2012-2014 - Complete A/C failure in sister-in-laws 2007 CR-V, friends 2008 CR-V, and coworkers 2007 CR-V AND his 2009 CR-V! And they were NOT cheap repairs (except for my coworkers 2009 CR-V, which was still under warranty). Me? I got hit with rack & pinion failure - at 60,000 miles, just like many other reviewers on the internet. Estimated repair cost $2,100 !!! Honda gave me a bottle of power steering fluid and said "just keep topping it off until you can afford to fix it." But when I researched it on the internet, I found this is quite a common problem, and one with a fix that apparently does not last long. So rather than dump $2,000 into fixing the power steering leak which is known to be a recurring failure once you get it, I dumped the car altogether. Hondas are supposed to last - I bought it because I thought they had a reputation for long term reliability. 60,000 is NOT LONG-term, IMO. I hated feeling like I was sitting on a ticking time bomb, with $2,000 possible repairs with every oil change (and Honda would NOT help, despite knowing rack & pinion failure was a common problem). The original plan was to keep the CR-V until my daughter turned 16 (last month), then give it to her (and buy a new car for myself). Instead, I dumped the CR-V last year and bought a new Subaru Forrester. And now that I read about the failure in the locks, I feel reassured I made the right decision, because my CR-Vs locks always made strange noises, tho they had not failed....yet. Im sure it was just a matter of time before they failed. Same with the A/C. Im now looking for a RELIABLE used car for my 16 year old, and you can bet it will NOT be a CR-V :/

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  almost 16 years - 1990 Honda Accord
  By lemon lover again - March 13 - 3:10 pm

  In a previous post, I noted early problems with this car, purchased new in 1990. Since 1999, I have put a total of $1900 into it, including new $400 Michelin tires, $700 motor mounts, $95 for an an ignition problem, $150 for a transmission issue, and a couple hundred for brakes. That leaves around $350 for routine maintenance. Motor mounts were not necessary and could have chosen cheaper tires, but both make it run almost like new, and I intend to keep it around. Dealer did install all new hoses and a radiator for $125 - long story, good customer service. Test drove new Acuras, Hondas, got back in this and wondered why I was shopping. Fun on mountain roads.

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  SI for life!!! - 2000 Honda Civic
  By b164life - March 13 - 2:39 pm

  ive had my SI since 2002, i love it to death!!! poured over 15,000 dollars into it starting with looks, suspension, performance, audio.. would STRONGLY recommend The SI to any auto consumer!!!!

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  Love is easy - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Hamilton Bryant - March 13 - 1:37 pm

  We have only owned our Car for a short time so I cant comment on some of the review items. That being said; I love my CR-V!!!! I love driving it and riding in it. Plenty of room and yet it drives like a small car.

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  Great Family Hauler - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Izzy - March 13 - 10:30 am

  Great van, all the trims, quiet on the highway, decent ergonomics. Plenty of amenities and driver personalization. The dealer is just Honda, not very good. So I recommend the shop manual for anyone, specialy if out of warranty. Very nice and polite, but cant fix much of anything.

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  F1 fun @ a steal !!!!! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By mike bates - March 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is something!! I just broke it in for the recommended 600 miles by the factory and have taken it up to 8K rpm. I cant beleive the performance. Midrange is scary fast but Ill adapt. Top range is a point and shoot and youre there.

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  Safty and Performance - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Jay Shankar - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Excellent to drive for Very Long Drive. You can enjoy every comfort. This is absolutely afortable luxury mini van. I am happy to own this. This is worth evry penny I paid.