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:

• 

  Just bought mine last week - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Diane - January 24 - 9:47 am

  Previously owned an o9 Honda Crv Exl with Navi and loved it! The best little car Ive had so far. The only think I dont like about the new EXL, is the interface, like the radio and no on and off buttons! Whats up with that! I wish they would go back to the -o9 interface on the dashboard. It was easy to use and had more features like: more stations, 6 cd holder, better controls, etc. This one takes time getting used to. Its as if they threw the dashboard together last minute with finger push accesse to music, navi...For the money, I would think that theyd make it more user friendly is all. Other than the user Unfriendly dash, its a smooth riding car...so far! I wanted to buy one last year, but heard about all the vibration issues, so I really wanted to take this one for a lengthy test drive. It seems fine. Love the interior beige leather too. Another thing Im not too happy with is the audio music!! Omg, do they put any speakers in the rear??? because if so, it doesnt sound that way. The more I write, the more Im missing my old car! Im sure Ill get used to all the so called "updated" features in time. Its a really nice car overall, but dissatisfied with the audio/navi... It shouldnt be that difficult

• 

  Never a Problem Since 1997 - 1997 Honda Odyssey
  By Denise Ramirez - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This minivan amazes me. Since 1997 I have never had one problem. I get the require maintenance, etc. and thats it. My co-worker has a 1997 Aerostar. Her van is always in the shop for something. I feel that I made a very wise choice with the Honda Odyssey. It now has 85,000

• 

  Value for the Money - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Specklebelly - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought new in April, 1999, this vehicle now has 73k miles. Excellent value at the time as a similarly equipped Ford van was $6,000 more. Our Odyssey has been very reliable and will purr along on the interstate at 75 m.p.h. all day. Excellent cargo capacity. In fact, we took the van on vacation instead of our Ford F-150 Super Crew as the Odyssey held about twice the amount of stuff.

• 

  this vehicle is a 12 - 2003 Honda Element
  By jackerussel - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Attention to all who are thinking about buying a Element- DO IT! Nothing else compares. Vehicle is SO SMOOTH. Regards Jack

• 

  Transmission FAILS Honda VERY aware - 1999 Honda Accord
  By scs - January 24 - 2:00 am

  After 59,000 miles and every scheduled maintenance done,my car is labeled "unsafe to drive" by Honda dealer! Admits that 2000 and 2001 have a problem and after much chat "some" 1999! I know 4 people just in my town with the exact same problem! NEW transmission needed after less than 60,000 miles! My engine light didnt come on until 2 miles before the transmission was deemed unsafe...what if I had been on a highway going 55? DANGEROUS CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 

  The best mini-van ever!!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By MD Mousseau - January 24 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Odyssey in Aug03 had to relocate due to the military and drove over 5000 miles to Alaska from Georgia packed with 3 kids, two small dogs and all our luggage. This mini-van had great power driving up steep hills & mountains even with 2in. of snow, it handled the road conditions as if we had studded tires and the traction control did great. It was a smooth drive and did great on gas mileage.

• 

  Ecstatic - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Stacey - January 24 - 1:20 am

  This is a terrific vehicle! I was a previous owner of a Quest and wish I had started with the Odyssey. Kid friendly, plenty of cup holders & storage. Easy to fold seats, even my 5 yr. old can do it. The DVD has a crisp, clean screen. This vehicle is so quiet during city & highway driving. Easy to read dash & user friendly climate control. So much more superior to the Quest. It gets great gas mileage. I cant say enough good things about this van!

• 

  Missed your target market by a mile! - 2005 Honda Element
  By Barb - January 23 - 9:23 pm

  I have owned lots of cars, from sports cars to Suburbans to pickup trucks. This is the best! I am an older woman with dogs and an active lifestyle. My husband and I are also King-Sized people and the dogs are Golden Retrievers. We go to dog shows, we drove back and forth to Florida twice, we even go offroad! This car is fabulous AND comfortable. And my i-Pod fits right into it with awesome sound from the sub-woofer. The car is fantastic on our steep driveway in NY for the winters, and great on the sandy beaches. And it is so easily cleaned --- no dog hairs! I think the design is funky and I just love it.

• 

  Great styling for a sedan - 2008 Honda Civic
  By nana - January 23 - 8:56 pm

  Just bought the civic and love it. We chose the civic over the Sentra due to the amount of head room with a sunroof while sitting in the back seat. With two men 63" this has to be considered. The Civic is so sleek and looks like a European car. The handling is smooth and full of energy. The back seat has plenty of leg room. It is hard finding a small car to accommodate tall people comfortably. The car handles smoothly and quickly. I know this car will still be parked in our driveway 10 years from now, Lord Willing. The car we just replaced was a 12 yr old Accord due to an accident. We are thrilled with the interior design. Would have liked a locking glove compartment.

• 

  Base model with 6-speed manual - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By mike hausner - January 23 - 5:02 pm

  We wanted a car that we could tow behind our RV. That said we chose the HR-V with the manual transmission over the CTV automatic. From a re-sale stand point this may not be a good choice....But I am having too much fun driving this car to care! The gearbox is easy to shift even though I have never had a "6-speed". When in traffic I sometimes skip a gear, like go from first to third to fifth and sixth. The engine has good torque down low so as long as you are not giving it a lot of gas it doesnt care. The cornering ability is great too. It corners like its on rails. I told you I was having fun with this car. On top of all that its getting over 31 MPG in combined city / highway driving. The other thing that amazed me was the interior space. It is tight without being cramped. I am 6-1" and 275 pounds so getting in and out of some cars can be difficult for my 70+ year old bones. However I can easily get in the front or back seat and have plenty of head room. The EX and EX-L models have a sunroof which takes away some headroom so I opted for the LX model. It is easier to get in and out of than the Honda Odessey I traded in. The cargo space is very good for a car this size and with the rear seats folded flat its even bigger. From the outside it looks more like a sport coupe than a 4-door SUV/Crossover. Most people dont realize it is a four door because the rear door latch is semi-hidden in the C pillar. All in all I really like this car!