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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  2017 elite pilot - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Elizabeth - February 26 - 7:27 am

  Acceleration takes some time getting used to, as it feels different with the 9 speed transmission. Safety features are great, but sensitivity of lane keep assist and auto braking can be overly sensitive. On a hilly road it will sometimes go off when no other cars in sight. Comfort and convenience is superb. I love this vehicle.

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  Worth my wait - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Lou - February 26 - 6:56 am

  I waited 10 months to get my Fit with a 5 spd. Honda has decided to make almost 90% automatic. It was worth the wait, though. I love the car. It is a perfect replacement for my 90 Civic wagon. Ive noticed a lot of folks complaining about the interior noise. They dont realize this car will be noiser than a sedan with a trunk! Compared to my 90 wagon this car is very quiet and huge. I love how it drives. I love the neat layout and all the amenities are a sheer pleasure.

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  Owner and lover - 2005 Honda Element
  By stan bost - February 26 - 5:20 am

  I love this car. It has orignal ideas, great visiabilty, good fuel mileage, and is very easy to get in to and out of. I would have put lights in the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel. The price of the add on options like side steps and mud guards and other items is way too high. Also I would make the sun roof in the back a slide back not a lift out so it could be used while driving

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  Honda Accord Homerun - 2018 Honda Accord
  By Bill - February 25 - 9:27 pm

  Know what others paid for it before going to the dealer. Check out Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima too! Accord 2018 is really a sharp looking car. I love the technology like lane departure and auto high beams and blind spot, cross traffic, etc. I have the Touring and I love it so far.

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  Wonderful car - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Keith Lefevre - February 25 - 2:53 pm

  I test drove this car, plus the 05 Acura TL, and the 05 Honda Civic Hybrid. I immediately dropped the Civic because I wanted more performance, interior room, and luxury feel. The TL was great! I was close to getting it. What pushed me over the fence to get the Accord instead was its fuel economy. In the past 5,500 miles, Ive averaged 27 city, 39 hwy, and once I even got 48 MPG! I love this car and would recommend it to anybody. The suspension is smooth, yet sporty. The power is awesome. Handling is great. Very quiet ride. All controls are easily reached. Fit and finish are excellent. I even love the color! I would buy this car all over again if I had to.

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  What an awesome car! - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Brian C. - February 25 - 1:43 pm

  After buying my first new Honda (CRX in 89 which I loved), I couldnt wait to buy Honda again after owning several other brands. This car gets so many looks and compliments--its often mistaken for a BWW or Lexus! Im so glad I chose the V6 model-the power is incredible..also the silver door handles give it a nice quality touch. The temperature and audio controls can be somewhat complicated at first, but I am starting to get used to them. Everything is explained in the manuals, so read up! The heated seats are a nice welcoming feel on a cold winter day. Great job Honda! What an improvement over the previous body style (yawn).

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  Best Value on the Road - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Will - February 25 - 9:10 am

  I had a Jeep Wrangler before buying this. I was scared that I would hate sitting low to the ground. I didnt think I would like a 4 cylinder. Man, was I wrong. This thing accelerates quickly, it has the gas mileage I was looking for. It has awesome lines. I love driving it. Im glad I made the switch!

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  New Pilot Elite - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Smith - February 25 - 12:19 am

  Researched Pilot, Explorer and Highlander. Pilot 3rd row more spacious than Highlander. Explorer rode more “truck like”. Had blind spot monitoring on prior - didn’t want to give it up so had to go to Elite model to get it. Honda should have it in other levels / as option. Push button gears in Elite - bit different - takes getting used to. Many well thought out design elements - impressive. LED headlights are great - very bright - good for those with difficulty seeing at night.

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  Three Civics In The House - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Three Civic owner - February 24 - 8:56 pm

  This is our third Civic. Wow, what a change. Im torn because I really like that the LX model has many of the EX features and the car rides very nicely. But there are a few things I really dislike about the new design. The most important is the window columns create too large of a blind spot. I find this quite dangerous. Another problem I have is, I like to crack my windows a tiny bit to prevent fog on the windshield when its raining but, I cant because rain comes pouring in. Also, when attempting to accelerate quickly the engine hesitates. It could be Im not used to an automatic?? I am getting 36 MPG thats a mixture of city and highway driving

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  Dumped a 16 Tacoma Ltd and Happy I did! - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Robsis - February 24 - 4:10 pm

  Last year, my wife and I decided to replace our FJ Cruiser with a truck, and bought a new 16 Tacoma Ltd 4x4. What a mistake that was. When speaking with Toyota Corporate or the Dealership about the issues we had (poor shifting, buzziness in steering wheel at speed, poor mileage, others too numerous to mention) all we got was : "Functions as designed." I was sick to my stomach about how much we were going to lose trading in; however, started looking elsewhere because I just couldnt drive the Tacoma, anymore. Drove the GM twins and was OK with them; however, we were worried about the dreaded Consumer Reports black dot on reliability. A friend suggested we look at the new Ridgeline (and I was pleased when I researched and saw that it didnt look like the previous gen, with that wing-back design) and our local dealer emailed and said they had 5 coming in on 6/22 and theyd be ready to see and drive on 6/23. We went by first thing on 6/23, test drove a Pearl White RTL-E with black interior, made the deal and bought it on the spot. Comfortable, smooth, quiet, much more rear seat room than the Tacoma; and, handled amazingly well. Everything you could or would want in a mid-size pickup, all with a number of unique features, like the in-bed trunk, fold up rear seats, unique dual release tailgate and a suite of safety features. After owning it now for 3 weeks, I can unequivocally say that dumping the Tacoma and buying the Ridgeline was one of the best decisions Ive ever made, in spite of losing almost $5k in the transaction. I didnt know how stressful it was to own/drive the Tacoma, until we got rid of it and purchased the Ridgeline. Wife loves it, too, and she did not really like the Tacoma at all. What did the Tacoma do better? Well, it looked more macho-trucky (subjective...The RL looks soft; however, it took no time to get used to it and its amazing the compliments I get), the Tacoma tows more (if you really need to tow, a mid-size shouldnt be where its at, though, and the RLs 5k rating is more than enough for what I occasionally tow, or buy a GM twin diesel), and it would do better off-road in extreme conditions, like rock crawling. Otherwise, there is absolutely, in my mind, nothing else that the Toyota comes close to doing that the RL doesnt do much better. Unless you are an extreme off-roader or are put off by the looks (or the fact that its a Honda truck), why would anyone even consider buying any other mid-size truck? All this and Honda reliability, too, as its not like a totally new design, the engine and trans come from the Pilot and they started with a Pilot frame and beefed it up to handle truck duties, so its been proven to work well and reliably. Check it out, Im very glad I did and took the plunge.