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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  I miss my Civic! - 1996 Honda Civic
  By mdries - June 8 - 12:53 pm

  This was my first car in high school, and I loved it. I now drive a 2001 Acura CL, which has a LOT more cool features than the Civic however, I often find myself missing the Civic. It did not have any modern features like power locks, power windows, or a CD player. However, the car ran unbelievably well considering it was 15 years old and had about 220,000 miles when we sold it! If I did not switch to my sisters Acura when she bought a company car, I would probably still be driving the Civic today. Also the MPGs on this car are phenomenal! If you accelerate conservatively you can get 35-40 MPG easily.

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  New 2012! Fun! Fun! Fun! - 2012 Honda Civic
  By aubiekong - June 8 - 10:17 am

  I purchased this car new because it felt like a qaulity product from Honda. The MPG is Fantastic. The instant display bar with MPG makes driving the car a fun "game" to maximize your mileage per gallon. Driving in mostly stop and go traffic I am averaging over 33 miles per gallon! It takes a very light foot but the instant display gives you the feed back to learn to drive with a very light foot on the gas peddle. Well done Honda!

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  A quite functional car - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By cadrm123 - June 7 - 7:59 am

  We have about 8,000 miles on this car, and overall like it quite a bit. It has quite a bit of pickup, even with 5-6 passengers in tow. However, there have been a couple of small mechanical/electronic issues. Also, there is no windshield wiper fluid indicator, which has left us high and dry on two occasions. Really, Honda? Havent we progressed past 1970? A really tacky omission, particularly for those in regions of the country where fluid is used quite a bit.

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  2001 Honda Civic - 2001 Honda Civic
  By blipnick - June 7 - 7:28 am

  Fantastic car, 170,000 Km (approx 110,000 miles) and only basic maintenance (except for an alternator). Achieves approx. 48 MPG highway according to the Scanguage II.

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  Problem child - 2001 Honda Civic
  By romapav91 - June 5 - 1:52 pm

  In a span of 11 months I have replaced both control arms, the motor mounts twice, the clutch 2 times, oil is leaking from the transmission. Performance wise, dont even think about putting any rims on it. it brought my MPG from an average of 33 in the city to 27 which is a big difference. Ride becomes very bumpy and scary at times. So far has only been giving me problems.

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  Best Purchase Ever - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By denant - June 4 - 6:23 pm

  I love my 2012 Honda CRV! I had a 99 Civic for 11 years and I wanted to get a SUV. I was affaid that a SUV would be a completely different driving experience, but to my surprise the CRV drives has a similar feel to my civic, I dont feel like i am driving a bigger car.

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  Great car... Minor complaints - 2009 Honda Civic
  By remlap48 - June 4 - 11:17 am

  I only have 54k on my LX, so long term reliability is something Im counting on down the road at this point. As far as +s go... peppy performance for an auto- 4cyl. Very solid tight build quality. Corners well (although I really dont drive like that). Est. mpg. 25 city (Im actually getting 28 :o). Stock speakers thru quality stereo source, VERY impressive. My only complaints would have to be, a rather limited turn radius. Only 1 compatible tire size, and not being able to see any of the outside of the car from the inside, except part of sides thru mirrors. Makes parallel parking a real adventure at times. Over all rating ++++-.

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  2009 Honda Fit Sport - 2009 Honda Fit
  By zbomb - June 3 - 12:19 pm

  Ive had my Fit for about 4-5 months now and love it. I bought it with about 30k miles on it and have put about 10k on it since. I love the roominess of the fit compared to other compact cars, in both the front and back seats. I love the hatchback and the way the rear seats can fold both down or up. I drive mostly highway miles and have been averaging 38+ mpg. My car had a remote car starter installed which has also worked great.

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  Econ class do it urself car - 2008 Honda Civic
  By jmarloe - June 2 - 9:42 pm

  Bought mine in early 2008 for 18.5 at 5%. It now has 98k miles on it, has been used for driving around the bay area in Cali for a job, multi trips from Cali to TX, and for the last 3 yrs Ive used it for pizza delivery in TX. Some repairs I have done myself are replacing both cv axels at 70k for $160, tires at 55k miles with good-yrs $540, the starter at 90k for $132. I am by no means a mechanic I bought some basic tools, spent a few hrs researching and as you can see from other reviews I saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars doing it myself. This car has been through a lot but still runs like new and feels as though it will for another 98k.

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  20.000 miles in 11 months - 2012 Honda Civic
  By erik25 - June 2 - 10:06 am

  Still going strong and no issues,would be bad just after 20k. See the car much more on the road then when it came out. I think people want a relaible commuter and cheap on gas. Its only a shame that in a few months a redesigned one comes out........hope this time they do it right and give it six gears with an overdrive.But this one has to make at least 100.000 miles before i even think of something else,and that will be no problem for this car.......