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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  PERHAPS THE BEST CAR IVE OWNED IN SIXTY YEARS - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By caraewron - January 27 - 10:35 pm

  Bought a 2012 CR-V LX Nov. 1, 2012 for $21,600 plus tax and license. Gave away my 10 year old Matrix which had held up nicely. Shopped online for best prices. I saved $1,100 by buying from a dealer 70 miles north. Honda seems to have anticipated what I want in a car: good radio sound easily read instrument panel daytime running lights radio controls on steering wheel good acceleration head room comfortable back seats height adjustable front seat constant mpg readout respectable gas mileage those high and narrow taillights headlights are good high and low. The front seat seems almost to firm but most seats are a challenge for a tall (6ft 2in) driver. Id gladly buy it again.

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  Quality, Quality, Reliability - 2009 Honda Accord
  By jarred - January 27 - 1:20 am

  It is true that most people who write reviews are the ones with problems, and they want/need to vent. Happy customers just enjoy their purchases. But still, reading some of the low reviews here makes you wonder: are those people for real? In my experience Honda is nothing but quality, quality and reliability. My wife and I bought our 2009 EX-L V6 accord with 44000 miles on it. The car drove like new from the dealer, and drives beautifully now, almost a year later. Everything works perfect, the doors close with a nice thud, the engine is smooth like butter. Steering is sooo precise, every switch and control operates with assurance. Seats are comfortable and we have no problem with brakes.

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  Spory Luxury Accord with room for 8 - 2013 Honda Odyssey
  By milescruiser - January 26 - 7:26 am

  This is our 2nd odyssey , first one is 2005. It is a much improvement, very refined quiet, very comfortabe, and fun to drive. it takes the curves better than the old odyessey, despite of the reduced road feel secondary to the electric power steering. The driver seat is very comfortabe. I choose this over the Mercedes GL 450, essentially I have every thing for 1/2 the price and Honda reliblity and good resale value. the car does not lack any horse power, push the gas and vtec kicks in at 4000 rpm and the car flies, most of the time you do not need that with family and kids. It realY feels liKe a sedan. 4000 miles no problems. Gas consumption much better than my old odyassey.

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  i would stay away from honda at least CIVIC - 2013 Honda Civic
  By juanc_15 - January 26 - 3:08 am

  i purchased a 2013 civic on december 2 2012 two weeks after i started hearing a "thunk" sound from the gasoline tank and the gasoline sloshing in the gasoline tank, the thunk is really aparent when i brake and the car stops i took it to honda and they say its normal, its a really anoying sound u can hear and feel the "thunk" the dealer FREEWAY HONDA in santa ana california no help at all,(stay away from this dealer) that means im going to have to live with that noise untill im able to trade the car in for a different brand with out taking any lo$s, the dealer doesnt even answer my emails now it seems that HONDAs quality is going down Buyer Be WARE!!!!!!!

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  Great gas mileage, everything else meh. - 2002 Honda Civic
  By paule4 - January 25 - 8:03 pm

  I get great gas mileage in this car... I average 30 city, 34-37 highway. I once got 40 mpg and thats going through mountain roads. The only problem is the build quality, my engine went at 85xxx then my tranny at 146xxx. I could understand the engine because at the time I was doing deliveries with the car plus it was an unbearably hot summer. The tranny it just all of a sudden gave out without any warning. Ive read from other sources that many people have this problem with the early 2000 civics (bad trannies).

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  Wow, the engine - 2012 Honda Fit
  By lateshift32 - January 25 - 3:26 am

  I went from a 2010 Scion XD with a 1.8 to this 1.5. I hate the engine. I seems that it is in 2.5 to 3 rpms most of the time. The engine is very loud. I didnt realize that I would miss an engine or that it would even be a big deal. The combined mpg of my Scion ended up being 36.5 on a regular basis. I get 30.1 in the Fit and terribly upset. Furthermore, I just went to go try to trade it in, only having it for two months and they said I am already upside down and never have any hope of overturning my situation but they could offer me a 30,000 car. PS dont buy a bunch of warranties, it makes it hard to get your next loan! Lessen learned, horrible!

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  Disappointed With Ridgeline - 2010 Honda Ridgeline
  By cmark60 - January 24 - 9:53 am

  Owned a Ridgeline RTL for 30 months. I loved the vehicle at first until quality issues came to light. Rear sliding window seal would get pinched and leak, wind noise on front windshield due to a the window seal pulling away especially during cold weather, a high pitched "whistle" that I tracked down to a body seam behind the XM antenna that could be silenced by covering the seam with electrical tape, a dash rattle caused by the factory did not tighten the left front speaker screws and the dash had to be removed creating a new rattle, heater temp sensor control problem, door and body panel seams aligned poorly, uncomfortable rear seat

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  Ford Focus may have the hatchback, but Civic has overall better value - 2013 Honda Civic
  By drivefun - January 24 - 12:55 am

  I test driven the 2013s Elantra GT, Mazda CX-5, Focus SE hatchback (hb) and Civic Ex. It finally came down to the wire between the Focus and Civic.... I thought over the need of a hb, and seemed compelling at first, I dont recall needing to haul a lot of stuff last several years, and if I did I rented a van a couple of times from Home Depot. Next, the hb looks nice, but reduces the rear viewing area. Overall, I felt the Civic has improved significantly. MPG, long term cost of ownership, features and styling matters to me. The 2013 Civic nails them in pretty well. Im giving it a 4 star on value, since it now cost a little more after Fords recent $2,500 factory incentive.

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  Nice to own a honda again... - 2013 Honda Civic
  By gutzzz13 - January 21 - 8:24 pm

  10 Jetta lease was up. I dislike the styling of the new Jettas so I went in for a 13 Accord Sport and left with a 13 Civic LX. Both great cars but I enjoyed the handling and overall feel of the Civic a bit more. I now prefer the Civic dashboard over a typical one (surprisingly). I also own a 12 Subaru Impreza which seems a lot zippier to 40mph but its also not nearly as quite (loud CVT and road noise) which for a daily commute of 120 miles is very important. My daily commute broken down is 40 miles city and 80 miles highway. I average 37mpg not using ECO but I use cruise control often. Over 400 miles per tank. I get compliments from my co-workers for what it is...a nice compact car.

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  Very solid purschase - 2009 Honda Accord
  By booth1986 - January 21 - 1:17 pm

  Great car, love the interior and exterior. Have not had a single problem in 35K miles, just went on a 2,000 mile road trip and it was great! Very comfortable. I wish the fuel economy was better though. I only observed between 25-27 MPG on the whole trip and it is only a 4 cylinder engine... It had no trouble getting up hills, and the transmission did a flawless job holding speed down steep grades.