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:

• 

  2016 Honda Fit - a review from a single female. - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Theresa L. - April 13 - 2:07 pm

  Before purchasing this vehicle I had a Honda Fit Sport I purchased new in 2010. I was in an accident where someone rear ended me going about 30 mph. The entire left side curtain airbag deployed. I was the driver and the only person in the car at the time of the accident. This accident totaled the car. I was so highly impressed how safe such a small car really was in an accident at that impact was, I was determined to replace it with a new Honda Fit. The Honda fit that was in the accident was silver, so I wanted something different. I really wanted a Modern Steel Metallic. None were available in a 200 mile radius of my area I was told. I had to drive an hour away from my home to get a Aegean Blue Metallic. White and silver seemed the only colors local available. I was surprised at the features you get with the car for the price. The Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Guidelines, Right side cam for merging, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and Streaming Audio, Multi-Reflector Halogen Headlights with Auto-On/Off. None of those came with the 2010 Honda Fit sport I had prior. Im one person, no kids. I dont need a big vehicle, so that considered this was great for me considering the price. I didnt purchase a luxury vehicle so I like to show people the new features it came with for just an average car. Ive only owned it a month, so I cant say much past how it compares to the 2010 I had. But Im happy with the purchase and got more than what I expected.

• 

  Not the perfect Mommies Car - 2004 Honda Element
  By Abril - April 13 - 12:21 pm

  I thought the E would be perfect for a newborn baby, it is in the sense that if you spill something it wipes right up. The ease of cleaning is my favorite feature. But I hate the suicide doors. If someone parks close to you, its a dance to get the carrier in the car and not hit the other car with your doors or trap yourself inside. Not that you should be messing with the baby while your driving but I cant even reach his car seat to pat him on the head when hes upset.

• 

  S2000 - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Lonman - April 13 - 12:34 am

  Whats not to like about this car. Solid as a rock (more so than a lot of hard top cars), stunning good looks, excellent hids, great led tail lights, superb handling, awesome gearbox, and honda reliability and amazing value. Snatch em up while you still can. This car is one of the best kept secrets in todays auto world. And my other car is a 2004 BMW M3.

• 

  Buyers, Beware of the Stereo. - 2016 Honda Accord
  By pjsoni - April 12 - 9:54 pm

  After taking delivery of EX-L NAVI and driving couple of days, I started to notice there is sound re-production is not well so I thought that it might be the audio settings to tune with. I make the changes in sound settings by changing BASS, TREBEL as well Subwoofer. After making changes to the audio settings, still there is an issue with the sound quality. At least Im not expecting this kind of worst sound quality from the premium audio system. After few days, Ive noticed that what settings which Ive made for volume is changed to the lowest level at 10 and I correctly remembered that Ive set to 15. I thought it might be my oversight so Ive continuously observed the behavior. Ive reported issues with the stereo due to the settings were not saved and sound quality is not good specifically with the FM and XM. After investigation, the service advisor reported back that there is nothing wrong with stereo. I was not convinced with the response. After that incident I’ve started continuously monitoring the stereo performance. Again, I’ve noticed that the stereo screens are not changing when I change the channels on the radio. I thought that might be intermittent issue and ignored at that day. On subsequent days, I’ve noticed that the stereo screen is freezing and it does not correctly report currently playing channel. So I took my vehicle to the dealership and explained the service advisor what is happening and showed him a video about the stereo behavior. After the investigation, I got call from the service advisor that my vehicle is ready to be picked up. So I went to dealership to pick up the car. The next morning, the issue again comes up and I went back to the dealership to report the issue. This time, the other service advisor has seen the issue and acknowledges it. He re-opened the previous RO for further investigation. After the feedback from Honda, they replaced the Tuner board in car. After 3 days, the same issue arises and I went to dealership to report the problem and for resolution. The service advisor told me that they have to replace the entire stereo unit. Till now, the resolution is not happened. My advice to every buyer of this model to thoroughly check the stereo prior to making any purchase decision. I believe this is the issue with all models. As most people does have a navigation screen on the main display screen and they may not be able to notice this weird behavior.

• 

  First time new car - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Daleen Tosso - April 12 - 2:32 pm

  I read all the reviews about the CR-V before I purchased it. We bought the 2016 Touring edition and for the money it had all the features I was looking for and more.

• 

  Civic - simple economy car - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Nick - April 12 - 1:54 pm

  My 3 year lease on the Civic is up in a month and Im glad that Im returning it. I havent had any big problems with it (only replaced ABS sensor under warranty @ 15K miles), so its been a reliable car. Its definitely not a bad car, but I think there are others that are better (replacing it with a Subaru, which is AWD, more powerful, quieter, better handling, and more fun to drive). I like the fuel economy, consistently get around 30-35MPG (Ill miss that with the Subaru). Like when the VTEC activates in the higher RPM range (especially 2nd and 3rd gears), gives you a little push. An advice to anyone interested in the Civic: look at Toyota Corolla, Matrix, and Mazda3 before purchasing.

• 

  Hondas are not all theyre cracked up to - 2005 Honda Civic
  By never again - April 12 - 4:43 am

  I bought my 2005 civic ex coupe because I needed something that was fuel efficient which this one was not. From the time that I bought it I only managed to get 23 miles to the gallon in town, and on cold days it had trouble starting. The interior build quality was junk - push any where on the dash and the whole thing flexes, took to the dealer they could not explain the poor fuel economy or cold start issue, and by the way i only ran chevron premium in it. In the end i traded it in. I definitely do not recommend honda to anybody!!!

• 

  Cant Go Wrong - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Chaski - April 12 - 3:16 am

  So...Im at the honda dealer getting my oil change and saw how nice the 08 coupe looked, what a beauty! So I traded in my 06 and got this one. Best buy ever!! I mean, it handles so well, turn radius actually got smaller, and not to mention how sexy this car looks. The V6 manual transmission is still fairly new to me and having to readjust from driving a V4. The coupe responds so well to acceleration, even at low rpms. Gears are a bit tricky but Ive only had the car for a week, so im still learning her. But major complaints, its definitely a very fun car to drive and handles smoothly. I cant wait to break her in and really test her.

• 

  Ridgeline is perfection - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By don - April 11 - 10:36 pm

  I recently bought a Honda Ridgeline and traded in my 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer for it , there is no comparison, the Ridgeline is built so much better its like comparing apples to oranges, So far I have 5000 miles on the Honda and not one hint of a problem,unlike the Trailblazer which was problem ridden from day one,leaky shocks, electrical problems, noises, etc. This thing turns heads everywhere I drive it and it goes anywhere.I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants extreme fit and finish with attention to detail.Definitly 5 stars

• 

  Great Little Car - 2001 Honda Insight
  By mh54 - April 11 - 4:23 pm

  My 2001 Insight is coming up on 100,000 miles of oil-change only driving. It has been an excellent automobile! Yes, I wish it was a little more powerful, but 60 MPG does not come without cost.