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 vehicle - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By kurth - November 15 - 6:06 pm

  Love this vehicle

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  Absolutely love my car - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Garth - November 15 - 6:06 pm

  This is the first Honda i have ever bought. I was looking for something that was practical and sporty. It offers both very well. I compared to WRX, GTi, Lancer...etc, and overall i believe that this car offers the most bang for your buck. Very reliable car and reasonable gas mileage for a car that outputs 200 hp and revs to 8k rpm.

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  Who Could Complain? - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By zkidd - November 15 - 7:56 am

  I bought a 2008 CR-V to replace an aging (and thirsty) 2001 Ford Escape with a V6. My wife is the anti-Christ when it comes to car buying and shopping, and with this vehicle and a great dealer, she left after buying by saying "WOW!". While others have complained about the seats, we find them comfortable and the ride much nicer than that of any other SUV we tried. Many other SUVs were too "truck" like, and here in Seattle with small streets and cramped parking lots, the CR-V is a brilliant performer due to the size and visibility. I am loving this rig, and I have no complaints!

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  If Lexus made a compact sedan that was fun... - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Lee - November 15 - 6:39 am

  ...the 2016 Civic with the Turbo would be it! Ive driven/owned higher-end Toyota and Nissan products for many years but never actually owned a Honda. This time I was looking for a specific set of attributes requiring over 40mpg highway using regular unleaded in a fun-to-drive package. I researched every manufacturer from Kia to Mercedes. It basically came down to this Civic or the Volvo S60. The mundane task of commuting is almost pleasant when I exclusively get 45-50mpg on mixed roads. Overtaking cars is a breeze (and fun) with snappy 45-60mph acceleration. Emergency braking is strong and predictable, and the brake hold feature is kind of like cruise control for the brake pedal. I avoided the Honda Sensing since it is not well refined according to every review and it actually causes insurance costs to be higher. My joy with the Civic really came out on our first road trip with the kids to the Blue Ridge Mountains. I loaded the trunk with enough baby and preschooler gear to last a week. This along with a medium cooler and adult luggage crammed every cubic foot of boot. Fully laden the car handled the most challenging, restricted, county mountain roads better than our previous Infiniti G35. Once it was just the 4 of us, the car could cut a right-hand downhill twist at 30mph with *no* body lean or tire squeal. Accelerating uphill out of hairpins was just a notch below the response of the early-2000s era BMW 3-series. The climate control is as refined as the premium brands. While the audio system definitely is not, it is still an excellent system by its segment standards. Bluetooth only needs manual connection after my iPhone is restarted. Thats a little annoying, but it never drops during a call or music playback. CarPlay is neat but beware that your lightning cable quality must be top-notch. I used a cable that was showing wear near the plug and it would intermittently disconnect. A fresh cable fixed the connectivity and it has been perfect ever since with iOS 9.3 on an iPhone 6. The SiriusXM skips a bit more than I would like, but I cant say whether this is the cars fault or the satellite provider. The audio controls are fine once you get used to the system - pretty much the same learning curve of any other new car. The passenger side LaneWatch camera is an awesome tool. Now that Im used to it I prefer it over the Blind Spot Light system (although I wish a BLS was on the drivers side - the wide angle mirror is just short of adequate). I use LaneWatch while parallel parking and liked having it on the narrow sheer drop roads in the mountains to see how close to the roads edge I could safely drive. The seats are very supportive of my 511" 185lb frame and on-par with premium branded small sport sedans. I was surprised that even without power adjustments I could find an excellent seating position so easily. I went with cloth surfaces for the first time in several years. I am still partially second-guessing that choice. I like having the heated seats available even with cloth - that will be very comfortable come winter. The cloth is similar to neoprene - very durable and easy to clean, although not terribly pleasing to the touch. The only plastic gripe I have is with the instrument cluster cowl - it is very chintzy compared to the rest of the superb dashboard material. I wish there was more customization available for the instrument screen (e.g., an analog speedometer option or alternate tachometer layout instead of just tach on/off), but for a $20k car one cannot be too picky I guess. I also wish some of the blank button squares could be functional and programmable buttons instead of the cheap looking dead-ends. In the end I chose the Civic over the Volvo for the exceptional value. You get a vehicle that is very much on-par with the S60 (in some ways better - such as aggressive handling, and in some ways not - such as Audio and interior materials) for less than 2/3 the cost.

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  Still Going Strong - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By Honda Convert - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive put 103K miles on this baby in just 4 1/2 years, and it still rides new. First set of tires lasted 80K. First major check-up at 90K. Only problem were brakes - never buy aftermarket brake parts. Went back to Honda parts and have had no problems since. Giving up my Civic wasnt a problem, because it still felt like one, only better. The new look doesnt appeal to me. The original square design looks tougher.

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  Ody for Me - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By alygal - November 14 - 9:03 pm

  Love my van. Switched from a Ford. Great room and comfort. Am currently at odd with Honda over the "XM Ready" radio. It take another 700.00 to make it truely ready. I am hoping Honda will step up and make it "ready". Otherwise love the ride and the space is great. My husband is 68" and fit fine.

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  BEST CAR EVER - 2005 Honda Element
  By DESERT TRAVLER - November 13 - 9:33 am

  I am a baby boomer with on the go lifestyle; this car does it all, comfort very functional ez-driver great inside space. Good light use for off road. Gets the looks from others, makes a statement--last month used it like a truck hauling stone tools bricks sand. Ran like a champ even with load. Have also camped in it. Works well for a night or 2 enough room for all the gear and you can sleep in (but cramped) I have had cars that were twice the costs and they werent as good when comparing overall use. This car is a winner, and probably a classic in its own right, no disappointment here--

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  Cant get more car for the money! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By JayRish - November 13 - 3:30 am

  This new Civic Si is a performance monster compared to the previous generations. If you find one, grab it!

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  Very nice car and 60% US part contents - 2009 Honda Civic
  By frank875 - November 12 - 2:46 pm

  Very nice car, very reliable, I dont even think will I make it anywhere. Great gas mileage. Assembled in East Liberty Ohio with 60% US part contents...check out some Pontiacs G3- G4s, etc. Some 100% Japan. The only bad thing I have to say about the Civic...that it wouldnt hurt to get some snow tires for snow, my escort handled better in the snow. Other then that, I always get people looking at my car, very nice looking car and great style.

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  Pilot class AA - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By tfxm1 - November 12 - 2:30 pm

  A great vehicle with great road feel and quiet, great performance. its very comfortable and seats eight! My wife loves it!! Easy to drive and a pleasure in traffic