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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  BEST VALUE FOR COUPE - 2001 Honda S2000
  By NROOF - January 16 - 2:00 am

  HANDLES WELL, ACCELERATES EXPLOSIVELY, RESPONDS LIKE IT IS ON A RAIL, AND THE FACT THAT ITS A HONDA NOT A Z3 THE PRICE IS RIGHT!

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  My Fav Car - 1996 Honda Accord
  By heatherjo811 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car out of college and have had it for 8 years. Every penny Ive put into it has been regular maintenance, not one penny has gone into fixing a problem. Highly recommend this car!!!!

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  lame honda - 1997 Honda Civic
  By jrehgkjfhg - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This has been a fun and relatively reliable car but the build quality. The front rotors have been turned 5 times and replaced once and the steering wheel still shimmies. The computer has been replaced along with the oxygen sensor. The latest problem is an intermittant engine knock. It occurs sometimeswhen cold and sometimes when fully warmed up. Its not very confidence inspiring and Im trading it in because of it for a Nissan.

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  Great Car - 1997 Honda Accord
  By jonie - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. I have had it for about a year now and there hasnt been any major problems. These cars last for a long time so I guess honda lives up to its name.

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  Buy It Now - 2009 Honda Fit
  By RH - January 15 - 6:06 pm

  I have had the Fit for a little over 6 months. It has been fantastic. I still get in the car and am amazed by how much value you get for about $18,000 with taxes, lic, and registration. It would be cool to have a hybrid, but we still get about 38mpg on the highway and 30mpg in the city. This is in hilly San Francisco too. You can park anywhere and still have the cargo capacity of an SUV. Basically, there is no good reason to not buy this car. Do it. You will be super happy.

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  Future Classic - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Mavic - January 15 - 2:40 pm

  Above all else S2000 is meant for fun, driving fun. Its not the fastest. It is one of the best handling with excellent brakes. To accomplish its main objective, it has an engine that begs you to push it harder. Its chassis dares you to dive into the turn a little faster. Like a mistress its not good for more mundane things like picking up your mother in-law from the airport. It excels as a second car that you take out on the weekends and nights when the journey is meant for the soul. This is a sports car. Be sure what you ask for.

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  Fun - 1998 Honda Civic
  By idk - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Despite the lack of power this car is still fun to drive. The sound of the engine as well as the acceleration when VTEC kicks in accentuate the fun feeling. Under hard driving, though, the car has no power to get up and go if you lose any traction or shift at the wrong time. The interior is plain and simple with no rattling parts. The exterior looks very nice and sporty but it dents and the paint chips off easily. The suspension is rather loose but very smooth and I feel in control the whole time. Road noise is minimal and the stock tires grip incredibly well. The fuel economy is great as well as the reliability. 85,000 miles on it and it still looks and feels like new.

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  Reliable but could improve - 1998 Honda Civic
  By CivicOwner - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought it at 4 yrs. old, 21kmi, one owner. Very good car for driving around town--especially since it is an automatic, not that great on the highway. The base model is really basic, wish it had some more features (power locks, cruise control, ABS, A/C). Maintenance-free so far, 20 months and 27 kmiles later. Shift program problem: when accelerating after slowing down to about 20mph it shifts a lower gear and revvs the engine like crazy, sending shocks through the drivetrain. The windshield wipers have a weird pattern, leaving big portions un-wiped. Passenger-side wiper needs to grow to driver-side wiper size.

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  08 EXL Sedan - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Tom - January 14 - 5:13 pm

  Overall a pretty nice car but has some model consistent issues such as: BAD brake design-very premature wear out (just google it) and overkill on driver seat lumbar even at minimum setting. Also on 4 cyl models flickering head and tail lights whenever a/c compressor engaged. At times (often) automatic shifting is pretty jerky. The brakes and flickering lights are safety issues but to date still no recalls?

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  Great Van - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By NLJJS36 - January 14 - 10:26 am

  The new honda with 200 miles got 24 MPg on our first trip. This van is fun to drive, and love the voice activated navigation, the DVD and the XM radio.