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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  Nice Car though needs improvment - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Kaggsman - March 9 - 10:52 pm

  The car drives very well. It does very well in gas mileage. However when the gauge reaches quarter tank the needle almost judt drops to "E". I upgraded from the Dx model to th LX. I like the thicker tires and the new gauges.

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  Love my CRV but not the gas mileage - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By PdxRose - March 9 - 6:40 pm

  Did not like previous CRV models so thought about a Rav4. After a few trips with a friend, chose the CRV; inside feels more upscale and spacious and the area is bigger. My only addition is something only Ford seems to use now; keyless number pad on the door. Only complaint is gas mileage. I avg 22 mpg at best when I combine 50% short trips (2 to 5) and a 50% hwy trips (20 each way). Even when I drove 120 miles each way on a trip, I barely got 25mpg (is it my luggage rack or me?) My last car, a Toyota Avalon V6, averaged 22 and 27. As for complaints about accelerating on to hwys and or passing; even w/5 adults the car was quick. Maybe other reviewers had > 850 lbs in car (weight max).

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  06 Civic EX 4 door auto: impressions - 2006 Honda Civic
  By `DickBrub - March 9 - 2:40 pm

  So far, 1st tank or two 35+mpg. Great handling. Trunk smallish as is rear seat fore and aft. If the LX had split seat and rear discs at $500 more I would have gotten one rather than EX. Oh, well. I have no need for sunroof. Just barely enough leg room for 61" me. Great handling, much better than CR-V that I traded in. Plastic dipstick painted orange - cant see the oil. Aftermarket replacement?

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  2008 Honda Accord - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Douglas - March 9 - 12:53 pm

  The 2008 Honda Accord V6 is one of the most annoying cars to drive between the vibration in the steering at speeds above 50 mph and the engine constantly changing the number of cylinders that are firing. In 3 cylinder mode it feels and sounds as if the engine is misfiring. The gas tank sloshes if the tank is above 3/4 full (the baffles do not extend to the top of the inside of the tank to prevent the gas from sloshing around). The XM satellite radio frequently loses signal as you drive down the road. Round noise prevents the radio from being heard well on the highway. If you stop and then turn going uphill, the transmission down shifts violently throwing everyone in the car.

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  Love my Honda! - 1995 Honda Civic
  By Trish - March 9 - 4:55 am

  I could NOT have asked for a better first car! I purchased this vehicle my freshman year of college with 220 k miles on it... It now has 251k on it! The only time I have ever broken down in the past two years was when the transmission went out... Which was what I believe to be my own fault! I was told by a friend that I was likely low or out of transmission fluid! Luckily for me my dad has a few mechanical skills so we bought a junk yard tranny for about $300 or 400... Besides that.. I have AMAZING gas mileage when I keep it tuned up. Ive had brake pads changed a couple of times, and headlights a few times few to a short... But this is in a two year span with high mileage so all in all I think its an amazing vehicle!

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  A Little Disappointed - 2000 Honda Civic
  By jan - March 8 - 6:24 pm

  Little things on cars tend to break down when it reached 100k, this car was one of them. 106k miles and 6 years later, I had problems with the catalytic converter (I was told that this was the most common break-down for Honda cars). It cost me around $1000 to have the part, and among other things, fixed. The left speaker stopped working right after my warranty expired. The interior of the car rattled and squeeked when hitting bumps on roads. I read one of the reviews and it stated that this model was overrated, thats true. Honda doesnt make the same quality like it used to. My family bought a truck and have driven 280k miles, yet no mechanical problems only the CD player doesnt work.

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  Best Accord yet! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By limaguy79 - March 8 - 6:00 pm

  Having owned quite a few Hondas (12 altogether) this is by far the best Honda Accord to date. Compared with the last gen. its MUCH quieter inside and has a more solid feel overall. I have the CVT 4 cyl. It rivals many other automakers V6 engines, however it still is not as refined as the V6 offered for the Accord. Design is all relative but the controls are relatively simple and straight forward. Honda lane watch sees gimicky but after using it for a month it def. has merritt. I rated build quality a "4" because lets face it, its a new design and under warranty, I have replaced both rear tail lights due to condensation inside them. Other Accords on dealer lot had the same problem.

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  Big Disappointment - 1993 Honda Accord
  By Paul - March 8 - 11:58 am

  Reasonably comfortable. Fairly quiet. Not much fun to drive. Very expensive to own. It gets 19/24 mpg. This for a 2.2 4-cylinder is ridiculous. Parts for this car are surprisingly costly. For instance, most car manufacturers will use two formed-rubber hoses (~$20) for the cooling system. Honda uses somewhere around 10, making the hoses alone ~$80. Another example: Honda designed the front brakes such that you must re-build the entire front-end to replace the rotors (a very high wear item). Other manufacturers keep the rotors on this two small screws. This makes a ~$200 repair closer to $800. Big disappointment overall. As the cost of ownership is equal, Im selling this and buying a BMW.

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  Honda accord EX. - 2010 Honda Accord
  By swamy - March 8 - 5:10 am

  Love the car, and color (basque red) and beige interior. Love the wood panels, controls, and interior space. Coming from fully loaded Nissan Maxima, miss some features, but no big deal.

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  One Problem - 1998 Honda Accord
  By TomA - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought thisw car in mint condition with 28K miles. It performed we4ll and has been well cared for too, however, the transmission has been slipping and acting quirky lately and the value has not held up. I paid a fair (below market) price, put a few thousand down and bought a 100K warranty and the car has a thousand less value than whats owed on it. With the transmission acting up (I heard that this has been a problem with the Accords) I am trading in on a 2002 low-mileage Nissan Altima.