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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  Big Bang For The Money - 2003 Honda Element
  By Lil-Mafioso! - March 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought it about 10 months ago and I put a lot of miles on it! Just as I expected! It drives smooth, very reliable, rugged, I took the two-wheel- drive off road with four passengers and no problem! Good gas mileage, easy to clean, looks good, very, comfortable. I wish that I had bought the four-wheel- drive! Highly recommend it to anyone at any age. Lots of storage space. cool stereo. Great A/C and heater!

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  Nice change - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Wayne - March 12 - 8:00 pm

  Purchased first Honda car after years of owning Corollas. Was looking for a four door with more power, and great gas mileage. Purchased the car due to its many performance, safety features and its low price. I am satisfied with the vehicles performance, and have been getting 30 mpg. I could use more room in the front seat, but I am 63 250 lbs. Car has many blind spots. Overall, it seems to be a solid car, nice combination of ride/ handling. Easily accelerates to highway speeds. Peace of mind with the standard side curtain air bags. The interior dash is different but a nice change.

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  Fantastic - 2010 Honda Insight
  By V - March 12 - 6:50 pm

  I ordered my car two months before it hit the market. I fell in love with it from the first time I saw it. I can honestly say that this car has saved me many tickets. I have become a much better driver, I love the fact of being rated every time I drive the car. I feel like I am flying a plane.

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  Touring with Honda Civic 2016 - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Andre Furtado - March 12 - 6:44 pm

  The rear view camera is not as good for backing as I thought. It does not guide you well based on the camera despite the extra features and three views permitted. Perhaps I have not yet got the knack for using it. (The kia forte 2013 with a single view (which I also use) is much much better and less confusing to make steering adjustments). The bottom rear camera view just behind the car is useful for parking as is the passenger side view camera. A little longer than I wanted in a compact sedan and therefore harder to park in tight spaces. However no other compact sedan I looked at has nearly as much trunk space. The look of the car is striking in its class and the metallic blue color I have it in is also striking. Horn volume is puny. The car drives beautifully and steers beautifully with little or no noise. Very quiet drive and once I was at 90 mph and had no idea I was moving that fast. Better than anything else I have ever driven yet! Turning radius is great also for size.The rolling resistance is very low and the car goes a long distance before stopping with the foot off the pedal. I mean it can coast! Continuously variable transmission did not seem to affect the driving negatively. It picks up acceleration very quickly and is not an issue entering a highway ramp. Handles small bumps fine, but hit a big bump and you know it from the tires. Good fuel efficiency especially in eco mode which I use for city driving. Brakes are great. Even has a brake hold if you are stuck in traffic for a while. Would have liked a volume button for navigation. It is buried deep in the screen and cant be changed easily on the run. Price a bit on the high side but it does have a lot of technology in this price range. Love the lane guidance system ( slight steering wheel judder warning) and the brake warning system which can be adjusted to distance from the car in front. Not always optimal but useful if one is sleepy or tired. Phone pairs easily and automatically using bluetooth. Has Airplay. Remote start is great for both hot and cold days. A/C and heater comes on as appropriate to settings left in the car from previous trip with remote start. Side view camera on the right is great. Now why not a side view camera on the left? Audio was OK. There was no volume button on the panel , but there was one on the steering wheel. AC works just fine and adjustments are easily done on the run. Front seats are low compared to the back seat and my right knee always hits the steering column when getting in the car. I am 5 11". The drivers seats do not slide back far enough to get really comfortable and there is little lumbar support. A clear design flaw. The back seats on the other hand are spacious and much more comfortable. Not enough emphasis on comfort wrt the drivers seat. The back windshield slopes such as to give a limited field of view in the rear view mirror. I saw this as a glaring safety shortfall that could have been easily fixed by design adjustments but this seems to be a common problem in newer cars as they emphasize form over safety function. However I do love all the warnings you get in the speedometer screen if you have left a door open, etc. Not sure I would trade it for any other car though. It was between the Elantra Ultimate package which has similar technology features and the Honda Civic and the Honda won but not by much though. The Mazda 3 was a great driving experience , did not have the same level of technology in its touring version as did the other two cars mentioned above, but the stand alone navigation screen on top of the dash would be tempting to thieves as it can easily be ripped out and that is why that was out too. Preferred the navigation style in the Mazda and the Elantra to that in the Honda. Would have liked automatic folding in of side-view mirrors to make it easier to get it into my garage. Did not look at American brand cars due to reliability issues. The Elantra has the best warranty. The Honda warranty is confusing. They indicate they will support repair for 36,000 miles bumper to bumper but my dealer told me it would only be 12,000 miles at no cost. It is not clear what changes in service cost between 12,000 and 36000 miles. Check with your dealer. I am still looking into this apparent discrepancy so buyer beware. Any of these three cars in their loaded versions are all high quality and will not disappoint. These are all good cars for senior citizens in their seventies, such as myself, who prefer a lot of safety and technology in the car as aids to increasingly slowing reflexes, and vision impairment with age. If they had the Honda Fit (smaller car) with the same technology in the loaded version, I would have bought it in a heartbeat! Younger drivers may save some money with the EX version which has some of the technology features available in the touring version. Get the 1.5 L turbo engine though.

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  Good vehicle for the price - 1995 Honda Odyssey
  By dopsdad - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Purchased two years ago with 84K miles, (just because its a Honda) and it now has 125K. Ignition switch went bad, but I think that was a fluke and it cost less than $100 to fix. A/C developed a leak over the winter, but it has the R134a system which will keep repair costs down. All other mechanical parts work great. Two minor problems are broken cup holder and cracked arm rest on door that makes irritating noises. The best thing about this vehicle is that Im never concerned about it breaking down. How do you put a price on peace of mind?

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  Almost a Ten - 2003 Honda S2000
  By dww - March 12 - 2:00 am

  All great...except a shudder at top end of clutch release. Dealer replaced entire clutch mechanism, but it is still there. Now what?

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  Worth a test drive - 1996 Honda Accord
  By shurt - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Being in sales, Im very tough on autos and this one has lived up to the tests. Very reliable, comfortable and fun to drive, handles like a dream. I had the 5 speed manual transmission which is nice on back roads, and for immediate extra power, but annoying in the city. If you need something affordable, dependable, and extremely economical this is a great choice.

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  Seriously Consider Tires - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By jennifer - March 11 - 10:46 pm

  This is my second Honda Odyssey. We decided to "upgrade" to the 2005 Touring because of all its great features including run-flat tires. Little did we know that even in a city as big as Houston there are only four places certified to replace the tires. Not even my Honda dealership can touch the tires! Mine only have 22,000 miles on them are going to cost around $300 each to have them replaced. Although I love my van, Im beginning to have some regrets about buying it. It is worth a little extra research time to decide whether this is really the van for you.

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  Great! even for the family - 2009 Honda Fit
  By dhp222 - March 11 - 4:00 pm

  Originally I had my doubts, Id never owned a Honda before. I had a mazda6 and my husband has a CX-9, I always liked small cars, but know that we have 2 children I wasnt sure if it would be a great choice. But it was! I love the car, is really fun to drive, and my 4 year old get in/off the car by herself (she couldnt w/ the other 2 cars). I also have an infant and the cars seat fits perfectly between the front and rear seats. Interior wise Fit gives you more features than the Corolla or Yaris (which I also considered). Exterior look its modern! fun, fun fun. I love it and all my doubts are gone!

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  Mileage not as advertised - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Jason - March 11 - 5:00 am

  Traded in my Jetta 1.8T for a better mileage/newer car. Noticeable step down in interior quality compared to VW but delivers a good ride. I can *not* get the advertised 47/48mpg. My average is 37/37. I have seen 39 city and 45 highway, and that was with a 15 knot tailwind at 60mph. Told it will improve over time (?) If you drive faster than 70mph, you will lose mileage fast. I set the cruise at 80mph for a while and averaged about 28mpg. Consider carefully the kind of driving you do. If you drone in the 70- 80mph realm like I do, look at a TDI Golf (like I should have). If you live in the 50-60mph realm, this is the car for you. Not suited for droning in the the windy OK/KS plains.