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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  1991 Honda Civic Dx bought 3/2012 for $5900 - 1991 Honda Civic
  By autoguns - April 6 - 12:47 am

  This is my first car. Bought 3/2012 from dealer for $5900. Driven by older lady just to store and garaged. Had 25,000 miles and everything looked new.No rust as not driven in rain nor snow. Had records to prove it. Everything works and expect to own it for at least 200,000 more miles.Cheap to register and insure .

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By josef3 - April 5 - 10:55 pm

  Dont miss out just because of the expensive tag.. Theres some joy to be had in a single CR-Z experience, no matter the drivers age or style (racer, casual)! Oh, and Im 63 Economics is a no-brainer. If you are a family man, this may not fit for you. (buy a Honda Fit)

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  Always getting repairs - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By mom4girlz - April 5 - 8:03 pm

  I bought this brand new and expecte to get a long time out of a Honda with few hassels. So many recalls, so many repairs! I replaced the tires every year because of uneven wear - dealership never seems to be able to fix the problem. AC has gone, breaks have gone, bearings have gone, power doors dont open properly, radiator has gone, the list goes on and on. I figure in the last 12 mths alone I have spent 5grand in repairs. Parts are always expensive. All problems have been "out of warrenty coverage" according to dealer. Just not like my old civic or 4runner. Saving for a Subaru or Toyota!

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  vibration issue solved - 2012 Honda Civic
  By firsthonda2012 - April 5 - 1:02 pm

  I almost traded in my brand new 2012 honda civic sedan lx with manual trans! I was getting a disturbing vibration when I accelerated to about 50 mph. The whole car vibrated like I was driving over a grooved highway, and then I thought that perhaps I blew a tire or something. It was intermittent. The Service Tech discovered that when you have only the rear windows down halfway the vibration happens and sounds like a helicopter! An aerodynamic thing. I wanted to let people know this just in case they are experiencing the same issue! Now that I know it is nothing serious I am back to LOVING MY NEW CIVIC!!! Getting 30 mpg with mixed around town and highway driving! Great car!!!

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  Honda Civic 2001 - Driving for the long haul - 2001 Honda Civic
  By longhaul2001 - April 5 - 11:12 am

  My 2001 Honda Civic LX 4-Dr has gotten as high as 40 mpg driving to MN from IA. My 1st year, a rubber piece on the front of the car fell off after 2000 miles (threw it out). Brand new tires would slip on damp pavement (got rid of original Firestones within weeks of purchasing). By year two, the transmission was shifting roughly and my mechanic used white grease to improve the action. Headlights burn out frequently (replaced 6-8 times). After 5 years, the electronics for the windows blew and had that fixed (not just a simple fuse problem). The struts & bushings failed. Besides all this, I have rolled over 180,000 miles & it has been reliable on many road trips.

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  Redesign not so functional - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By gmlkz - April 5 - 8:59 am

  I have been singing the praises of Honda for years and this is the 3rd that weve owned. Just got the 2012, and although theyve added some great new features, Im rather disappointed with some of the redesign. They took away a bunch of useful storage, which kept me neatly organized w/ my brew of kids & friends. their marketing materials now advertise how great it is to fit a piece of plywood in the back with the seats folded. Thats great, but it no longer neatly fits my compact single stroller in the back with the seats up like the old model did. Seems like they forgot that many people purchasing minivans have kids, use storage, and push strollers, more often than hauling wood.

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  Great ride, performance and fuel economy - 2012 Honda CR-Z
  By drewmn - April 4 - 1:03 pm

  Im not a treehugger. This car caught me with its design and road feel. The performance is available to you, and as a bonus you get some pretty amazing gas savings. Ive been averaging between 43-48mpg on the highway. Everything about this car is tailored to the driver and you really feel that this is your vehicle, not the passengers. Its quick to accelerate, handles great around corners, and is a fun car. The rear of the car has plenty of storage space unless of course you have a Great Dane. Plenty of leg room, great sound system, and exceptional quality really add value to this vehicle. Not to mention it takes up so little space in the garage.

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  A very good buy - 2012 Honda Accord
  By ncleveland90 - April 3 - 5:25 pm

  I purchased a 2011 accord coupe (2.4 L, auto, EX model) last year and about a month ago I had a straight-on T-bone collision at 50mph with a guy who pulled out in front of me which totaled my car. The accord saved my life and from the pictures of the scene of the crash it was unbelievable that I walked away with just a bruise and small burn. I loved that car and every aspect of it so without hesitation I purchased the 2012 accord coupe to replace it, this time the EX-L model. Though there really wasnt any changes between model years, it is still just as spectacular as my previous one with a few bonuses in the EX to EX-L upgrade.

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  Accord = back and neck pain - 2011 Honda Accord
  By ponygal1 - April 3 - 1:02 pm

  Hated this car. Got rid of it after a year. Seats were extraordinarily uncomfortable and caused problems for the whole family. Headrests put your chin on your chest (neck, upper back pain), and the angle of the seats caused hip and low back pain. I didnt expect much power, but the mileage wasnt even that great. Cheap build quality - Honda aint what it used to be.

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  Our third Honda CRV - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By harvest - April 2 - 4:26 pm

  Weve had our 2012 Honda CRV EX for about 2 months now and have put about 3000 miles on it. Compared to the 2004 CRV we previously owned it is quieter, rides smoother, looks more modern, and has more electronic features such as hands free bluetooth for your cell phone. We chose it over a 2012 Toyota RAV4 because the CRV had more comfortable seats and my wife, as the primary driver, liked that there was a flat space between the seats to put her purse (or even stuff it down in the storage area between the seats). The fabric on the seats is softer than the coarser RAV4 fabric. We had one long trip and got 28 mpg at 70 mph but around 31 mpg at 60 mph on rural highways.