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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  100k and alot of life left - 1997 Honda Accord
  By nanj - November 6 - 2:00 am

  just paid off and no plans to sell, could use more power, 25mpg w/ ac on - 28mpg w/o, over 30 on trips, front window motors replaced under warr, were very slow, now just slow, no other problems, 7k oil changes Mobil 1, 90k trans service is too long, fluid was black, did flush, mostly hwy no abuse, put on bigger tires, much better handling, using 205/60s looks factory, orig tires looked small..

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  I Love My Accord - 1999 Honda Accord
  By One Acrd - November 6 - 2:00 am

  It handles great, its a sporty car with plenty of style. With the recommended maintenace I plan to have my Accord for a very long time. I love to clean it up and cruise. When you drive an Accord heads will turn.

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  I hate oil companies and love this car! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Wasy - November 5 - 10:23 pm

  This is a wonderful vehicle with incredible pickup and cruise capability. I love the fact that the mileage averages about 30 mpg overall and the electric emission reducing hybrid system rocks! Fast, comfortable, and can rocket into highway traffic if required or you can "feather" the accelerator and watch the mpg climb. Final thought... I keep hearing this is not a good deal relative to mileage when compared to the Accord 4 cylinder. That may be so but the trade off for a great ride with great mileage makes this a top choice. Also, watch the resale value when gas hits $4.00+ per gallon!

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  Great car - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Frederick Hanhauser - November 5 - 9:11 am

  We required the power lift gate, so had to get the Touring trim. I am very happy with the packaged features, although would not have ordered some, like the moonroof.

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  Best car for the price - 2003 Honda S2000
  By arteyepro - November 5 - 2:00 am

  This little sports car is trully the most fun and best handling/performance for the buck. It truly runs rings around it competitors.

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  My 2nd S2000 - 2003 Honda S2000
  By ImaBlonde2 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  The 2002 S2000 was a great car but the 2003 seems to be just a little nicer. The seat is far more comforatable with lots of leg and hip room, stereo sounds little nicer, interior lighting is better design, and other little things like that. Still handles like a dream, shifts smoothly, excellerates quickly, it is fairly quiet inside considering it is a convertible. I am tall and with the top down can still wear a golf visor without the wind whipping it off my head, which my 2002 used to do. Had my silver 2002 for a year, but when I went to get the oil changed they had a yellow 2003 on the showroom floor. Love at first sight!

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  The perfect commuter car - 1992 Honda Accord
  By Awry13 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 1998 and it had 31,000 miles on it. It has 239,000 now. Right after I bought it the distributor had to be replaced, then the alternator at about 120,000 miles. Other than that, normal maintenance. Still averages about 28 mpg between city and highway driving. It has a manual transmission and I have never replaced the clutch. In the next month I will be getting my second set of half shafts (driveshafts) put in. Then I will be selling it in favor of a newer Accord. By all accounts the newer models have only gotten better.

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  Bad... Bad... Bad... - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Bad.. Bad.. Bad.. - November 4 - 3:53 am

  Weve owned several Accords through out the years and the 2008 model, is by far, the worst of the bunch. First and foremost, its literally the cheapest Accord that weve seen material wise. Gone are the LED-illuminated tachometer, LED brake lights, and illumination lights on all 4-doors. Gone are the individualized engine component protectors that were so touted in the previous generation Accord. The elegant and simple-to-use interior of the previous model has been replaced with cluttered and confusing array of buttons. The quality of the interior material is vastly inferior to the previous models - it looks and feels CHEAP.

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  OLD MANS VIEW - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By paul trefethen - November 4 - 3:27 am

  shop a lot. buy thru a service if you can.

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  Honda S2000 - A Great car all around - 2003 Honda S2000
  By monkey dude - November 4 - 2:00 am

  The handling is incredible. This car never gets old. Every time I get into it, it seems its like the first time i ever drove it. Just incredible car all the way around.