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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  Everything is perfect - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By bryan rice - June 5 - 11:56 pm

  I was a little afraid buying an SUV with the gas being so expensive but I am pleased we get about 23 mpg average and up to 28 mpg on our weekend trips up to the Poconos. So much room and very quiet. We got a towing package to tow our small pop up trailer for camping . We dont have any problem with towing it unless its raining then the traction is not too hot. Im pretty sure getting better tires will help.

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  nice car for the money - 2004 Honda Civic
  By happy customer - June 5 - 8:43 pm

  Great gas mileage. I was going to get a VW TDI Jetta, waaaaay too much $$$. I paid 12200 for my Civic with only a few options. Even at 2$ a gallon it would take me 10 years to make of the difference in price. I test drove the Jetta, It wasnt that powerful of a car. Think twice before you are willing to fork over the extra cash. I also drove the Toyota Corolla, and Focus. The Focus remided me of my of another Ford great, the Pinto. They wanted 16k for it! Overall I liked the style of the jetta little more, it wasnt worth the extra $. The Civic also did very well in crash tests.

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  Perfect For Us - 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By rdreece - June 5 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I love to travel by car and take back roads a lot. Weve had an 06 Jeep Commander that was great but used lots of gas. The Crosstour has 4WD, gets much better gas mileage, is more fun to drive and has MUCH more room for backseat passengers.

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  almost perfect - 2006 Honda Civic
  By CIC - June 5 - 9:56 am

  I love the look, inside and out. I had a 91 CRX for 13 years. But, had the car 1 month. On 3 tanks of gas, got 24mpg in the city, 30 on highway, and I drive very conservatively. If I knew it got this kink of mileage I wouldnt have bought it. My 1991 got 2x the MPG of this car in the city!

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  Supposed to be hers! - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By benlawrence - June 5 - 6:10 am

  We bought our CR-V in December of 2006. Originally we wanted the Royal Blue but had to wait 2 months due to high demand. Now I know why. I dont think that there is any aspect of this SUV I dont like. Ride quality is amazing, view out the front windshield is outstanding, and the gauges are by far the easiest to read out of all the SUVs we drove. We test drove an Escape, but it felt to flimsy in comparison. Lights are very good at night. Despite the size I have been able to haul anything I need to with the seats folded down. The only problem we have had is that I drive it more than the wife and we bought it for her. Its just such a fun vehicle, I cant help it!

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  Honda Odyssey - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By clyde powell - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Excellent, I will keep this vehicle as long as it will last!

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  Great car for great price - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Gregg the car freak - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Altough every one in America has a CR-V it still is a very good car. It is harder to rub it into peoples faces because theyll just say "well i have one to it is no big deal." The exterier of the car is some what ugyl.The 4 cylinders narrows the cars off road abilities. The engeine is a little bit nosiey. There is so much room in the car it is amazing. The ride is a little bit bumpier than other cars. There are alot of cool and useful features in the car. All in all the Honda CR-V is a great car to have for its cheep price and great prices.

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  Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By HondaGuy - June 4 - 10:53 pm

  This is a great vehicle for us city slickers! It seems to do eveything I want or can think of. I personally installed all of the options. Even the backup camera. The Honda installation directions are very straight forward and if you are a little handy, you can save a bunch of money.

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  highly recomended - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By harlow - June 4 - 9:46 pm

  We really like this vehicle. It really does hold 8 people! Excellant ride, fun to drive. Best milage so far is 20mpg, but that is driving 75mph. If you have a pavement surface that tends to be noisy, you hear the difference from an Acura or Lexas, but its a LOT cheaper than them. Its just so loaded with everything you could want, and its Honda quality. We could have gotten a few extras(fog lights, tow package, GPS Navigation, or back seat DVD player(the last two are either or, cant have both)but didnt want them.) The V6 engine is certainly lively enough and cruising at relatively high speed is comfortable. We replaced a GMC Yukon and can only say "good riddance.

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  Wont buy anything else - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Crystal - June 4 - 7:23 pm

  I love this car - from the large digital speedometer that is easily in view, to the voice-activated navigation system, to the PC card input that allows me to play MP3s saved to the card on my computer... it is just awesome. I get excellent gas mileage, which I track very specifically (because I drive the car for work and am reimbursed for gas). I frequently get better MPG than advertised (29 hwy).