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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  Great car - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Civic Si - December 20 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car a few months ago and love it. Sporty,looks good, comfortable,solid,and performs well for this class. Not the fastest per se, but balanced in all areas. Opted out of the summer tires because of snow, and it still handles great. Have owned Hondas for 21 years now and I dont regret this purchase at all. 2 tier dash works really well,stereo is decent and USB system rocks. Combination of size, handling, efficiency. The ride is firm, but not harsh, I dont understand all of the complaints about road noise. It is competitive with others in the class. I still love the high revving nature of Hondas,over brute power.

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  This van rocks - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By little Deb - December 20 - 9:13 am

  Had a chrysler town and country 2005 had less than 6000 miles on it when traded it in. that van had a ton of problems with it, at about 1500 miles on it the battery leaked had a maintance free battery and those cheap idiots replaced it with a very cheap battery I had to maintain? At 2500 miles had to have the fuel pump and bcm chip replaced, after being stranded twice! I HATED THAT VAN we also named it the puttermobile. Checked out the toyota and Honda and when we compared the two, Well it didnt take us to long to figure out the best deal, Quality and price hands down it was the HONDA. paid $28800 for it got EX with leather it came standard with heated seats and 6 disc player and on and on

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  Great roadster, minimal frills - 2007 Honda S2000
  By Laker - December 19 - 10:21 pm

  This is a summer use car for us (we live high in the Colorado snow country and prefer to garage the S2K in bad weather). Weve had lots of great sports cars and sports sedans, but this little Honda is really a gem. Not too expensive, highly reliable, and fast. Most of our driving is on open mountain roads, hardly any stop & go in-town sort of driving. After three summers of use, we have never gotten less than 30 miles per gallon with this car, totally unlike the experience that some others have reported. And no we dont baby it...love that VTEC zone! The trunk is big enough for two carry-on bags, a small cooler and a couple of parkas. Longest trip was 10 days, to Banff/Lake Louise.

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  Wow - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Scott - December 19 - 5:03 pm

  I used to own a 1989 Honda CRX - This thing is IDENTICAL to the 88 - 91 Civic Sis spec-wise (even down to the 109hp engine.) I knew it was gonna be great even before I test drove it. The handling is great for such a seemingly tall car. I traded in a mazda protege5 for this one and I gotta say, you wouldnt be able to tell that the mazda cost over $7000 more retail than the Honda. It is impossible to keep it slow and steady in this car, all you want to do is just red-line every gear from stoplight to stoplight - yes, its THAT fun. I look forward to the next 150000 or so miles I plan on putting into it.

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  Just Out Gas In It!!! - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Leo papagni - December 18 - 9:46 pm

  Drove this car out of the show room in 1998. Besides for regular maintenance, I have only replaced the struts and catalytic converter. It still has original parts on the rest of the car. By far the most dependable car I have ever owned. It just went over 200,000. I am going to drive it until the wheels come off.

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  fuel efficient fun - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Matt - December 18 - 12:16 pm

  I purchased SI about one month ago and I still get excited when I get to drive it. Simply a blast to drive. I came from a Nissan altima 3.5SL which was sneaky fast in a straight line but handled horribly. This car handles awesomely with only slightly less performance. This is without the summer tires. I live near St. Louis and we usually see at least some snow so opted for the all seasons. Best of all I can drive the heck out of it and get 28 mpg (yes I use the vtec). That is the lowest I have gotten since owned usually getting 29 mpg. Granted it is premium fuel, but I usually got 25 mpg with less aggressive driving in the altima. Excellent fit and finish.

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  A return customer - 2010 Honda Element
  By walter - December 18 - 10:23 am

  I just traded in my 03 Element for a 2010. I was able to get mine with manual tranny! Thats important for me I just had to nag the salesman to beat on the computer network a bit. We found a dealer trade just 60 miles away. This car (like my old one) is the most practical car out there. In all the 102k miles I put on my old one, the only expense outside of scheduled maintenance was to replace battery and tires, and it never left me stranded. I use it almost like a truck and it serves me very well. Im happy in my element!

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  Montana Pilot - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Montana Pilot - December 18 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle is very comfortable. Has great visibility from the inside. Very roomy. Can haul a lot. Good acceleration. Intruments are well laid out except for Trip A/Trip B/Outside Temp button which is hard to get to. Gas mileage much better than the Toyota 4Runner I had. Turning radius still surprises me with how tight it is. Very stable. Id buy it again.

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  saved a life - 2004 Honda Civic
  By jal - December 18 - 10:00 am

  this car and a few angels saved my childs life. to see the car you cant imagine how she is standing, the crush zones in the front did not bend onto her legs,to make it short the new 2004 civic ex with side air bags was totaled but my child was not. thank you honda

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  An All Around Great Car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Informed_Buyer - December 18 - 10:00 am

  Honda automobiles are constantly in the top ten and the 2004 Accord 6 cyl Accord EX is one of the reasons why. I saved thousands of dollars after I found a car buying advice article called Beat The Dealer. This automobile is fast, quiet, wonderfully built, great gas mileage (over 30 MPG highway and its not even broken in yet). It handles very well and is great fun to drive. The leather seats are of better quality than in my Acura. This is the way cars are supposed to be built and perform. At under $24,000 (negotiated price), this car rivals luxury cars costing much, much more.