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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  My New Honda Civic LX - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Steven Glatter - February 21 - 3:06 am

  I purchased my Honda Civic from Rick Case Honda in October 2004. As a former owner of a 1996 Saturn SL which was starting to show signs of needing more frequent repairs, my fellow coworkers recommended that I get a Honda Civic instead of a Saturn Ion because a Honda is a more reliable and dependable vehicle. I also checked Consumer Reports and they rated the Honda Civic as one of their top choices as a quality vehicle for about the same price of a Saturn Ion. I also did not particularly care for the interior design of the Ions instrument panel. The Honda Civic is a very reliable and dependable car for the money and I am very satisfied with my final decision to purchase a Honda.

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  love the car - 1998 Honda Civic
  By robjohnson81 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  has been an exelent car, I miss it when I am not driving it. my wife loves to drive it and hardly lets me drive the civic.

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  Best car - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Nightridas - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I love this car its very reliable

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  Best minivan to date... - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By mils - February 20 - 11:50 pm

  Despite this seeming like the typical mininvan "mom-mobile"....it is definitely not. I drove a large SUV for the last several years and loved it. With my 3rd child on the way, even the bigger SUVs wouldnt have been convenient. Despite my resistance to convert to a minivan, I looked at the Odyssey just before making another purchase of an SUV. The convenient features, the new styling and the quality of the ride won me over. Its so much easier hauling two young children in the new Odyssey compared to my last SUV. The only other minivan I also considered was the Sienna for the AWD feature.

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  Best Accord Ever - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Westies96 - February 20 - 6:06 am

  I have had many Accords and got the 2003 when they first came out with that model change. This car looks, feels, and rides like a much more expensive car. It looks and rides like an Acura RL or a Lexus. The new 190HP 4cylinder engine has great pick up. You feel like youre floating on the highway and have great control over the car. Honda far surpassed Toyota (Camry) and Nissan (Altima) when they created this vehicle. Ive only had my car for 4 days and already have almost 400 miles on it. It gives you a reason to have to travel somewhere. There is so much room in the cabin.When you sit in the drivers seat, you feel like you have all this car around you. It is a very safe feeling.

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  Glad We Upgraded - 2006 Honda Accord
  By melissa - February 19 - 6:53 pm

  I average about 20,000 miles driving to and from work so we were looking for a reliable car. My past experience with vehicles hasnt been very good-lots of mechanical failures, expensive repairs. We did the research and were very impressed with the Honda Accord and sold after the test drive. Very smooth ride, lots of great features, and Honda has a great track record with their products. Cant go wrong investing with Honda!

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  Safe and Maintenance free - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By raghu - February 18 - 7:46 pm

  I did an exhaustive research for almost 2 months for a mini-SUV and finally decided on CR-V. Its really sturdy and safe in the snow. The 6-CD changes with stereo/FM, height adjustible drivers seat, ABS, stability and traction control among other features make it really worth for the price. Since, its a honda, i am not really going to talk much about reliability (i guess thats a given).

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  We Still Love Our CR-V even after 75,000 miles - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By jeff gray - February 18 - 5:14 am

  My wife and I still love our Honda CR-V even after 79,490 miles. Safety, reliability, comfort, and style are all features we enjoy with this car not to mention the great visibility this car has. We leased this car new in 2012 and then purchased the car in 2015 which helped avoid $4000 in over mileage fees. Considering we are also a Subaru family (both of our children drive Subarus) , we recently looked into trading in our CR-V for a 2016 Outback. After test driving the Outback, we decided to keep our 2012 CR-V and plan on keeping it well beyond the 100,000 mile mark. Surprisingly......we are still on our original brakes with nearly 40% left on the brake pads which is a good indicator of how many highway miles this car has been driven". Our car has all suggested maintenance as indicated on the Maintenance Minder done at our local Honda garage. WE ARE VERY HAPPY to have the current CONVENTIONAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION rather than the newer CVT transmission on some of the newer Honda CR-V models. Both the Subaru Outback and the Honda CR-V has had issues with CVT transmissions..... with the Outback having a delay of the transmission when placed in reverse. While I believe CVT is or will be great technology in both the Honda CR-V and the Subaru Outback.....I prefer to wait until all the bugs" are worked out before I invest in a new car. For now, my wife and I will be enjoying our comfortable, reliable, safe 2012 Honda CR-V as many others have experienced. High mileage does not concern me on this Honda as it would on many other vehicles....

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  grandchildrens toy - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Rich J - February 17 - 6:02 pm

  so much better than your fathers Odyessey

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  Lets be fair - 2008 Honda Accord
  By chuck - February 17 - 4:36 pm

  Lets be fair, how many cars out there with the price around 21K to 24K and gives you what Accord LX offers? I drive 100 miles everyday since Nov 07 and I absolutly love this car. Its fun to drive, handling is great. The moonroof is cool to have, it gives you good ventilation in the cold days when the heat is turn-up, and of course the exterior look is a killer.