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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  Perfect Except for Drivers Seat - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Gene - July 4 - 10:40 am

  Owned for about a month, over 2000 miles so far. No problems. Wonderful balance of practicality and performance, economy and fun. Also impressed with IIHSs perfect crash test scores. I throughly enjoy driving this car. Marvelous automatic transmission. Even under hard acceleration, I can barely feel it shifting gears. My only gripe - this is the most uncomfortable drivers seat Ive ever sat in. Headrest juts too far forward. Luckily, an 07 Accord headrest also fits into the the slots. For $90.00, that problems fixed. Lower lumbar also juts too far forward, making for a painful back after a day of running errands around town. A towel shoved down into the seat fixed that problem.

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  Great Car - Great Value - 1994 Honda Accord
  By glenn smith - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I have over 230000 miles on my Accord and still going...

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  they could have done a better job - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Jen_wei - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had the CR-V for about 10 days...its a 4-WD EX. The design is great and its real comfortable. The only thing that bothers me is the fact the the brakes are already making weird cracking noises when Im driving. Ive taken the car to the dealership a couple of times and they couldnt find anything wrong with it. Other than that, the drive is kind of nosy + the audio system isnt too great. I had a 2000 CIVIC b4 switching to the CR-V and now I think the CIVIC was probably a better buy.

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  Fit Flaws - 2007 Honda Fit
  By SportFit - July 4 - 1:05 am

  Its all wrong ! The transmission setup is really awful. The gearing ratio into first gear and second result in a noticeable hesitation as the computer tries to match up with the short gear and the computer fuel delivery system. These tiny engine/trans crammed into a tiny space dont leave much room for clutch travel. Whereby we have a short time to ease the clutch out and get moving. The feel is not really smooth at all, and I have always enjoyed sticks. But in this car, get the auto and spare yourself the grief. This car even chatters backing up a hill. I am sorry I bought mine, its very peppy and looks racy and cute, but I cant get comfortable with the transmission.

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  Very Frustrated!!!! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Ben N. - July 3 - 8:07 pm

  Wonderful van with the exception of the steering issues. Read all the problems with alignment and steering with these vehicles (extreme pulling, memory steer, difficulty aligning, steering clucks, steering resistance, etc., etc.). I dont know how this vehicle got such high ratings in all editorials without anyone noticing the irregularities with drive and alignment. Dont buy it! Seems as though some must be OK, but more than one would think have issues...believe me and the others when we say this.

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  Majority Upgrade, A Few Issues - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Brian - July 3 - 2:34 pm

  My lease came sure on my 2014 So, and enjoyed the car, so I upgraded to the 2017 version. The engine is noticably more powerful, and the exterior styling has been improved (the car looks a whole lot meaner, in my opinion). I have the same complaints from my 2014, and a couple new ones: STILL AN ISSUE: 1. Cupholder placement. I know drivers that prefer manual are a dying breed, but if youre going to make a manual-only Civic, dont put the cupholders in front of the shifter; 2. Touchscreen. Hondas interface has been upgraded (?) but its still terrible. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can only control a piece of the system. The rest has to go through what Honda built. Painful. NEW: Parking Break. Part of the appeal of driving stick is the feeling of greater control over the car. The parking break button takes some of that away; 2. Break Hold. Seemed like an unnecessary, but nice feature for stopping on hills. Actually a huge pain in the ass. If you unbuckle your seatbelt when Break Hold is activated (for example, when grabbing a ticket at the parking garage), the parking break is activated. Very annoying when youre not expecting it.

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  Majority Upgrade, A Few Issues - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Brian - July 3 - 2:34 pm

  My lease came sure on my 2014 So, and enjoyed the car, so I upgraded to the 2017 version. The engine is noticably more powerful, and the exterior styling has been improved (the car looks a whole lot meaner, in my opinion). I have the same complaints from my 2014, and a couple new ones: STILL AN ISSUE: 1. Cupholder placement. I know drivers that prefer manual are a dying breed, but if youre going to make a manual-only Civic, dont put the cupholders in front of the shifter; 2. Touchscreen. Hondas interface has been upgraded (?) but its still terrible. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can only control a piece of the system. The rest has to go through what Honda built. Painful. NEW: Parking Break. Part of the appeal of driving stick is the feeling of greater control over the car. The parking break button takes some of that away; 2. Break Hold. Seemed like an unnecessary, but nice feature for stopping on hills. Actually a huge pain in the ass. If you unbuckle your seatbelt when Break Hold is activated (for example, when grabbing a ticket at the parking garage), the parking break is activated. Very annoying when youre not expecting it.

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  Majority Upgrade, A Few Issues - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Brian - July 3 - 2:34 pm

  My lease came sure on my 2014 So, and enjoyed the car, so I upgraded to the 2017 version. The engine is noticably more powerful, and the exterior styling has been improved (the car looks a whole lot meaner, in my opinion). I have the same complaints from my 2014, and a couple new ones: STILL AN ISSUE: 1. Cupholder placement. I know drivers that prefer manual are a dying breed, but if youre going to make a manual-only Civic, dont put the cupholders in front of the shifter; 2. Touchscreen. Hondas interface has been upgraded (?) but its still terrible. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can only control a piece of the system. The rest has to go through what Honda built. Painful. NEW: Parking Break. Part of the appeal of driving stick is the feeling of greater control over the car. The parking break button takes some of that away; 2. Break Hold. Seemed like an unnecessary, but nice feature for stopping on hills. Actually a huge pain in the ass. If you unbuckle your seatbelt when Break Hold is activated (for example, when grabbing a ticket at the parking garage), the parking break is activated. Very annoying when youre not expecting it.

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  Great Car - 2009 Honda Element
  By BobMac3 - July 2 - 9:58 pm

  Ive always had Subarus but have found the maintenance costly in the last several years so Ive switched to a Honda Element LX. Ive only had it a day but love it already. The process of buying was very easy. There arent many used or new Es in my area of Concord, NH and Im looking forward to a long relationship. I thought the sunroof was impractical because it was in the rear where my Belgian Sheepdogs ride and it made the area too hot plus without the sunroof it was better insulated and quieter.

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  Civic - 2006 Honda Civic
  By me - July 2 - 1:41 pm

  I have been very pleased with my Civic. Alot of people hate the interior but I enjoy the futuristic looks. The seats are very sturdy and comfortable, although the plastic and paint is like many said cheap and scratches easily. Sunroof, Ipod hookup, multiple airbags, digital speedometer have all been nice features. This car does get excellent gas mileage BUT at a price for power... very very poor passing power on 2 lane roads. With all that said it has been a very reliable car, just the normal wear and tear upkeep.