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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  Downsized CRV = + mileage+comfort+quiet - 2007 Honda Fit
  By joe - January 21 - 12:33 pm

  Average 35 mpg for 2500 miles - 500 mile round trip to Cape Cod, 38 mpg - best, 41.5 200 round trip to Catskills - very comfortable, lots of interior passenger and storage room - quieter than 2003 CRV - automatic can be driven like a sedate sedan or a corvette with "paddles" for instant shifting - steering is digital, extremely accurate - no fatigue after long trips - outstanding radio with 200 watt amps., direct connection for IPod, satellite radio, etc. - note: 6 speakers, not 6 CD player featured - front seat atop gas tank gives good visibility (but no reference frame in front when parking, can easily override curb - do it once and you remember to back off !) - It fits !!!!!

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  Honda Odyessy Touring Model a GAS HOG - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By T Leshko - January 21 - 4:06 am

  The Honda Odyessy 2005 Touring Model met the advertised specifications except EPA gas mileage. It is a gas hog! Fuel economy is adverstised at 21/28 City/ Highway. I get ( with over 8500 miles on the vehicle) 13.8 MPG City and 21MPG Interstate. This great variance of more than 30% was related to America Honda Corporate HQs in Torrance, CA. several times. Their response was, you should expected to get a little difference depending on driving conditions. My requests for the EPA test specs for fuel economy was denied. A 30 % variance does not meet the ethical business practice that you expect from Honda. I would have purchased a Toyota Sienna instead, and intend to do that.

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  Great, but... - 2007 Honda Accord
  By petm52 - January 20 - 6:56 am

  My first Honda - test drive was great, engine peppy, interior top-notch, great price for the value. However, had a serious problem with seat comfort after driving for a few days. At 61" and 220 (wide body), I was unable to get comfortable in sporty seats. Had to trade in for car with better seat. Also, found sport suspension to be hard

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  285K and still running - 1990 Honda Accord
  By ReaRea - January 20 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 90 Honda in May 1993 as the second owner with 55K. I must say this has been the best car that I have ever purchased. I was in the military and have lived in various states and traveled from each state back to Georgia and this car have not given me a minutes problem. All of the original parts are still on the car except the radiator... I must say, if they keep building hondas with good quality like this......I will be a honda driver for life

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  Accord EX- 4 cylinder CVT - 2013 Honda Accord
  By raj75 - January 20 - 12:12 am

  Excellent car. i owned a 1998 accord v6 for last 8 years. This car has almost same power and used highly adavanced technology. I am getting used to the new features lane watch, pandora,voice recognition and bunch of others. What amzed me most is its mileage. On hway i got 40 in eco-mode. Over all its fantastic. Only problem i found is slightly bumpy on bad roads.(problem can be excused). My friend having an acura TL said accord is a better car than TL. This car is way ahead in competition. Real Technology advancement.

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  What a great car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Adam - January 19 - 6:16 pm

  This is the best built car I have ever owned. After having a awful 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx I bought my first non American in 37 years. My last one was a 1971 Dodge Colt. This car has a great ride, great looks, and I got 28 mpg in city driving.

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  Superior Handling - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By R. V. M. - January 19 - 2:18 pm

  I feel like driving a sedan and not a minivan. Super smooth ride so much improvement from previous models.

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  Excellent car so far - 2003 Honda Accord
  By chance - January 18 - 3:20 pm

  After owning for almost 2 years, no complaints. There was a recall on the tranny, but it was fixed in an afternoon, and I never noticed anything wrong anyway. MONSTER power for a "family" car (and 30mpg hwy!)- perhaps it could handle more stiffly for that much power but I guess thats the "comfort" trade-off. And it does ride very smoothly. No maintenance hassle at all. Rides like a nice upper- class Benz. Amazing car - only complaint is the console "lid" under stereo sometimes does not want to close - kinda cheaply constructed - but everything else feels really solid. For the money, you cannot get a better car (EX-V6 leather), period.

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  Not bad but... - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By John from Kentucky - January 18 - 7:43 am

  The ride is stiff but for a $21,000 SUV you canÂ’t expect a Lexus ride. The seats are comfortable around town but will beat you up on 3+ hour rides. My kids love to drive it but my wife hates it. We bought it so my wife could use it as a work vehicle. She drives 50k yearly so we wanted a disposable car we could give one of our teenagers. In the end she took my 4-Runner and left me the CRV. Not a bad little car for the money but does not have a low range and the towing capacity is non existent. The car is tight and if it is like most of our HondaÂ’s and ToyotaÂ’s we expect at least 200,000 miles. I like the first major tune-up is at 110k instead of 60 k like many cars.

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  The CVT Transmission Is Garbage - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Elvin - January 18 - 5:38 am

  The car is typical decent Honda, except for 2 things: 1. The radio and speakers are garbage and 2. The CVT transmission is pure garbage. It feels like a little man is in my transmission manually shifting my car for me, but he doesnt know how to shift properly. The CVT transmission violently jerks all the time. Honda really dropped the ball on the CVT transmission.