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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  Very Satisfied - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By carverjim@nc.rr.com - September 14 - 8:08 am

  My wife and I love our CRV. We have a AWD Touring model. Very smooth handling/driving. The ride is smooth and appropriately quiet for the type vehicle. Acceleration is smooth. (We have another 8 yr old vehicle with CVT with no problems.) There is no vibration riding or idling. In our 60s and really like ease of entry/exit. We especially like the new tech features of the right turn video of the right side of vehicle, the adaptive cruise control, the lane keep assist, blue tooth pairing of iPhone and three way view of the backup camera! Glad it has adaptive braking, but do not want to test it. Overall very stylish to own.

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  Best Car Ever Made - 1990 Honda Accord
  By Bryan Bernstel - September 14 - 7:53 am

  This car has, on more than one occasion, saved my life and always kept running even when it seemed it was going to give up. Reliable and easy to fix.

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  Great for the long drive - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Steven Printz - September 13 - 9:13 pm

  I bought this car five months ago. This is my first Honda after having driven five GM cars. I love it so far. I have put 10,000 miles on the car so far. I average 35-39 MPG and go an average of 500 miles on each tank of gas. I have hit up to 47 MPG on the interstate. The car is quiet and gives me no problems. I hope to have it for a long time to come.

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  Love Everything But Headrest! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Gay Almquist - September 13 - 12:22 am

  I have had the car for 3 months and I love it! Great value and really pleased with the mpg even though it isnt a hybrid. My only complaint is the uncomfortable headrests! Even with the seat tilted back it pushes my head forward and hurts my neck. The solution I found was I purchased a gel foam cushion for the back of the drivers seat. It brings my back forward about 1.5 inches which is enough to make the headrest comfortable. NOW, I love everything about the car.

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  Its a Honda - 2015 Honda Accord
  By John Smith - September 12 - 8:29 pm

  I bought the 15 Sport in early July and took it on a tour of the North East for most of the month of August with my wife and daughter. Over all ride was comfortable with the drivers seat roomy for my 62 frame. Performance was great with 189 hp a noticeable jump from my old 05 accords 160hp. I found the CVT a bit jerky at a hard acceleration until 35mph or so. Its paddle shifting was fun going through the mountains. Excellent gas mileage with some tankfills averaging above 36. I will agree that the sound system could be better but it is adequate. I will say that when I picked the car up from the dealership, on the ride home down the interstate I felt the ride was a bit rough. When I got home I checked the tire pressures and they were over inflated. Next morning with cool tires I set the pressures per the recommendations and there was a noticeable improvement. If I get 282000 miles on this 15 like I did with my 05 with minimal maintenance I will be a happy camper.

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  First Honda and love it. - 2013 Honda Accord
  By John - September 10 - 8:50 pm

  Have had the car for for a few weeks and then her I have it the better. Car handles well and is decently enough quick. I feel like it accelerates better at higher speeds. Lots of features and love the dual screens and paddle shifters. Love the looks inside out. The rear end is hot. The mpg is great. The biggest downfall is the road noise which isnt awful or great. Only things I would ha he is make it a stick and a little faster.

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  2008 Element SC - Yes, the hard to find SC. - 2008 Honda Element
  By Angus Young - September 9 - 2:48 pm

  Very practical and useful car and at $22,500 (Had a Honda $1500 end of year discount and the dealer came down another $1600 or so), its not too much cash. Yes, a BOX ON WHEELS. I always get looks from other ELEMENT Owners because I dont think many of them knew about the SC version. I didnt like the ones with the flat black fenders (LX) and the flat black bumpers (EX). The SC has no flat black body panels. I bought it new in late summer of 2008 and it was HARD to find an SC! There are 6 or 8 HONDA dealers within 20/25 miles of me and only 2 had SCs. And only ONE dealer had every color. The other dealer had ONE black and ONE blue one. Thats it. I have 110k miles on the car and aside from a problem with the Throttle Position Sensor at about 80k, the car has been flawless. 110k miles and just that one repair (outside of the usual brakes, tires, battery) Seats are comfy, the doors open a full 90 degrees for easy loading and unloading, and with the rear seats removed there is quite a bit of room. THE AC is powerful as is the heater. The XM radio sounds great, especially with the 8 or whatever speakers this thing has and the sub-woofer up front. Its the newer 2.4 Liter engine used in the Accords and CR-Vs with a TIMING CHAIN, not a BELT! Thats a maintenance saver right there. Timing Chains rarely wear out. Just had new plugs put in at 103k miles and while driving out of Chicago on the Expressway, I just noted to myself that his car drives as good as it did when new. My original Honda tires lasted about 68k miles. My original brakes up front and on the rear last about 75k miles. I am still on the original discs with 110k miles but I suspect Ill need new discs in about 4 to 10 k miles and it may be time for brakes again. With the SC package and the wider, lower profile 18" tires it grabs the road good and corners well. Brakes could be a bit better. My last car was a 4800 lb SUV and it stopped better. The only drawbacks I see are the ride, the MPG, and the quality of plastic used inside. I have the SC, which has lower profile tires, stiffer springs, and is a bit lower to the ground than the other Elements. So, not sure if the other models (EX and LX) ride better but the SC has a jarring ride at times. Where I live (Northern IL) the roads are pretty crummy. Lots of trucks and snow and salt. The Element SC seems to go over the bigger holes good but some of the smaller dips in the road are really noticeable. My wifes 20 year old Civic with 20 years old shocks has a better ride on the roads with these little dips in them. I get about 23 MPG city and 26 on the highway. I am getting 1 MPG better or so than the sticker indicated but I would have figured a small engine like this would get a few more MPG. Second, the interior plastic scratches quite easily. I have hauled a few things and it does not take much to scratch/gouge the plastic inside. It only seats 4, which is sometimes a pain if my kid has more than 1 friend that needs to be brought someplace, that one has to sit in the front. But, on the bright side, the rear seats have plenty of room AND THEY RECLINE! My daughter loves reclining the seat a bit on long drives and relaxing. The Vehicle Stability control is a joke. The SC only comes Front Wheel drive so this may seem like a valuable feature but and Im able to maneuver and drive better in the snow with the VSC OFF.

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  300k and Still Going... - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Trace - September 8 - 12:04 pm

  I bought this car used over a year ago with 275k miles. I now have 305k miles with no problems! When I bought it the only thing wrong with it was an oil leak. Ended up being the Variable Timing Valve Solenoid seal due to the previous owner adding too much oil during an oil change. I drive 50+ miles a day to school and back and have never had a problem. Seats 5 grown adults without much of a problem. Original engine/transmission. I wish Honda still made their vehicles like they used to.

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  Still love Hondas - 2012 Honda Accord
  By Will S - September 5 - 6:17 pm

  All around still one of these best! The 2012 is not full of tech, but it is comfortable, quiet, high performance, super safe, reliable, easy to use, retained value, and a great family car that does not make you feel like you have no style. This is my 8th Honda (9 if you include the lawn mower). None of them have been anything less than terrific. I tried a Kia, and the seat knob broke off during a test drive. None of my 8 Hondas have done that:) As always, I get much better than listed mileage. The Toyotas we have owned do worse.

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  Best car for gas saving - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Mark - September 3 - 12:00 am

  Have had my car for a short time love the gas saving have been getting 44.5 miles per gallon, drives great enjoy driving my Honda Civic hybrid. Not as smooth of ride as some cars but every thing else about the car is great I dont think you can beat a Honda holds its value and will run for ever.