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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  loveit, ya gotta buy one - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By fordman - June 27 - 2:06 am

  This car is great, I have five kids and they love it, especially with the dvd entertainment system. The enterior is great, and it is also very roomy. Not to mention its not noisy at all, has heated side mirrors, easy to use audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel, great cargo room(can easily move the back bench up to the middle row) and the list goes on. Thumbs up!!

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  Porsche Quality Honda Price - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By Gulfstream - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The Prelude is a brilliant all around sports car. Its fun to drive (especially when the VTEC engine kicks in), and can get you from 0-60 quite quickly. It offers most of the technology that you find on Porsche Boxers without the Porsche price and the mechanical quirks that Porsche has. You will give up head room (fine for me at 5 7" not so great for someone over 6) and its not a "family car." Everything is "race-tuned" so dont expect a "down comforter" type ride. The "fun" factor will make up for this.

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  Excellent vehicle - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By tinbender - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Owned this vehicle for a little over a year and put 15,000 miles on it with no complaints at all. To date this has been the best vehicle Ive ever owned. I plan to follow the maintenance schedule in the owners manual and keep this CR-V for a long time.

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  Best Choice on the Market - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Mike - June 26 - 9:56 pm

  I had always thought of Accords as boring sedans, after over a month of test driving at least 15 cars it was clearly the best choice. I looked at all competing mid-size sedans along with a few luxury mid-size sedans, there was no comparison. The Accord is as nice as the 3 series BMW but the quality and reliability blows it out of the water. The Camry was just ok, but I personally prefer the sporty tight driving Accord.

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  2016 crv - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By William dinan - June 26 - 2:00 pm

  Stay away from the 2016 Honda CR-V.... Vibrations issues that Honda has yet to solve. We have a brand new one with 4400 miles and took the suv in for service on the vibration issue and all they said was this was normal.

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  Trade in special - 2004 Honda Insight
  By unsatisfied driver - June 26 - 2:00 am

  From the frist day the trouble began, the car (or over powered skateboard) did not provide the power needed to passs, or get smoothly into the normal traffic pattern. on hot days the a/c could not keep up. and most of all the customer service was dreadfull.

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  A l - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Wendy Adams - June 26 - 12:58 am

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  Out of Subaru into Honda - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Jim - June 25 - 6:03 am

  I have driven Subarus for twenty years. Ive owned six of them. I was about to trade in my 98 Legacy Outback Limited for an 08. But then I hesitated and decided to enjoy the shopping process since I was going to be buying a new car. I looked at the Nissan briefly and then on to the Honda store. There I took a brief drive in the demo. That did it. That night I decided to give up my Subaru loyalty (theyre great cars) and buy a Honda. I got the EX-L because I wanted the heated seats and leather upholstery. I had the store add the rain deflectors. This past weekend I took a 500-mile round trip to Maine and back. I got 29.4 mpg. I had a good experience in the trading process.

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  Fun in a package that looks more expensive - 2016 Honda Civic
  By MOnte Morast - June 25 - 5:05 am

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  Our first Honda disappointment and likely my last - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Rjsale1 - June 25 - 3:23 am

  Dont think for a minute that all that glitz in the showroom means you are getting a highly engineered and tested product. I have owned Honda products since the mid 70s (cars, motorcycles, mowers, snow blowers, small engines) and had high hopes for their new flagship design. The good: mileage better than expected, solid feel, easy and accurate steering, road noise overall low. The bad: soft brake pedal when stopping. It reduces pressure itself and will physically move down away from your foot. Dealer says nothing wrong, (known issue with this vehicle) but they will tell you this is likely the yaw control activating. Have determined that it seems to be slaved into the transmission when it decides to downshift it reduces braking assist which is very unnerving. The radio cuts out sometimes and gives a warning that the "clarionextraframenetwork has stopped working". Apparently this is telling me that it has dropped the Bluetooth connection to my phone. Trying to use the hands free voice dialing system is infuriating sometimes. Its so unreliable that I mostly use Siri voice dialing on my Iphone. Honda dealer has advised the fix is to replace the radio. Honda corporate advises that there is no projected date for the replacement so I am stuck with a $42,000 car that doesnt have a fully functioning radio. Transmission now slamming into lower gear at around 40mph. Honda corporate asks for surveys and then doesnt respond to issues. Last lease was a Ford Edge with absolutely zero issues in 70,000 miles. Left Ford because of poor dealer service. Guess what I am thinking now?