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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  The Element is the way to go - 2004 Honda Element
  By colospgs58 - February 7 - 10:00 am

  We use our Element for everything from transporting kids to college to a camper - and itdoes it all! It rides well, handles beautifully, can carry huge volumes of carge, and can be switched from passenger vehicle to cargo van or camper in a matter of seconds. After having the Element for a year, we dont even use our other SUV - we dont need it.

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  I love my Civic Hybrid - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Filippo - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I get 47mpg highway, 39 city. It took a little getting used to driving a hybrid at first. The engine autostop was a shocker. Who would ever think of an engine shutting off while stopped in traffic? And when entering a highway, going uphill was also a bit tough. In order to get more power, you shift into 2 for a few seconds, then just shift back into 1. (This is with an automatic civic sedan.) A few things I miss from my 2002 Honda Civic EX are the color. . I also gained alloy wheels, side impact airbags. In short, I love my honda hybrid!

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  Honda Civic VP - 2004 Honda Civic
  By bigwaters - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Traded a Chrysler Concorde LXI for a Honda Civic VP. I thought I would be disappointed, but, the car met all of my expectations.

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  Very Comfortable Drive - 2004 Honda Civic
  By ronsing - February 7 - 10:00 am

  The most interesting thing about driving this vehicle is that you really don;t notice anything different about it. It handles like any other Honda Civic. Now, that bwing said, it is a little unnerving at first, when the engine shuts down at a light, but the car is so quiet that you normally don;t even notice that, or the fact that the engine starts again when you take your foot off the brake. I had an SUV prior to this, and only filling the tank once a month is a treat.

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  She Loves it so do I - 2005 Honda Element
  By Mike - February 7 - 8:30 am

  We have been shopping for about two months. What we liked about the Element was ease of entry, no stain easy clean interior and the versatility of the interior. I have not seen my wife this happy ( about a vehicle ) in a good while. I consider myself a professional car buyer. I have purchased three vehicles this year and sold all three at a tidy profit. I have an idea this Element is a keeper. It has a little more road noise than I like, but the powertrain is very smooth, peppy and quiet, controls are easy to use and the vehicle is fun to drive . The visibility is good and it handles windy days with no adverse surprises. The cruise is as smooth as the powertrain...great vehicle...

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  I love it! - 1993 Honda Civic
  By kangarro_rat - February 6 - 11:04 pm

  This car has stood up great! We got it orginally to make a daily 2 hour round trip drive, which it did for the first 4 years we had it. Now its been given to me, a high school student, and has worked excellent. It has over 210,000 miles on it and has hardly any problems at all (only minor things that werent its fault)

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  Best yet! - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Michael - February 6 - 10:06 pm

  I just got my civic and I love everything about it. Its excellent unless youre looking for horse power. With gas prices this high everyone should be trying to reduce consumption of gas.

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  Excellent Car - 2006 Honda Civic
  By dbero - February 6 - 2:20 am

  Given that gas mileage, safety and dependability were my primary factors, I believe the 06 Honda is the only car that provides an effective solution for these needs. With 3000 miles, I am averaging 37 mpg, combined city and hilly highway. I have had no problems and am totally satisfied with this car. It is excellent. I garaged a very nice full size 4x4 and have only driven it 1 time in the past 60 days. No desire, or need to drive it any more. I feel safer and save a lot on gas with the Civic!

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  Very nice car - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Mitchell Potter - February 6 - 2:20 am

  Before buying my civic (Jun 6,08) I drove the Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla. The Corolla was a good and I would have bought one but having two other Hondas (97 Odyssey & 97 Civic, both still going strong) it was hard to leave a good thing. My compromise was I couldnt get stability control but buying it with the Corolla would have meant having other options I didnt want. I went with the LX over the EX because I didnt want the sunroof or 5-spoke alloy wheels (just didnt like the look). However, Honda has a 15, 7-spoke wheel that is nice. I bought them and a trunk liner from College Hills Honda (on-line) for about one-half the cost my local dealer wanted.

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  A Fun Car to Drive - 2006 Honda Civic
  By steved - February 5 - 5:36 pm

  The Civic hybrid does a superb job of combining style, fuel economy and enough performance to make the car a true joy to drive. Honda deserves kudos for jazzing up the civic for 2006 and making it a superior driving experience to the Prius.