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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  This Is It !!! - 2000 Honda Insight
  By ggovert - October 27 - 2:00 am

  When I test drove the Insight it handled great with a lot of pep, and thought this was pretty sharp. I wasnt looking to by a car for myself. Then my dealer made me an offer I couldnt refuse. I drove it home, and got over 90mpg. Since then I average between 55 & 90mpg, depending on how much in a hurry Im in. Definatly the best car Ive ever owned.

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  cool and sporty - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By Brenda and walden - October 27 - 2:00 am

  My car does it all. I love to zip around town in my honda, knowing that I am getting great gas mileage for an SUV. Its totally sporty and cute. The transition from a back seat to a cargo area is easy and it has an extra bonus that no other vehicle has----oh yes, the picnic table that doubles and the cargo bed. It also has a lot of cool storage areas including one under the picnic table. I am looking for a new car and cant find one the rivals the CR-V

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  Excellent SUV - 2005 Honda Element
  By Joseph Lipnickas - October 26 - 11:16 pm

  A versitile SUV. The various ways the seats can be folded or removed makes this truck great. Combines a SUV with a cargo van. Waterproof interior a breeze to clean-just dont aim the hose towards the speakers. Plus Hondas reliabilty. I traded my 1991 Honda Civic with 189,000 miles in for the Element. The Civic was still running great 14 years later but my kids need something bigger.

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  for young couples who wants to save mone - 2008 Honda Civic
  By umi - October 26 - 8:43 am

  We bought our Honda Civic on April 2008. Since that time I am trying to calculate the miles on the each tank. But I never got more than 23 miles average MPG with the mixed driving in city and highway. I cannot believe that someone gets more than 28 miles MPG. The interior is fine except the place for speedometer. The starting of movement is fine. I can get 40-45 miles per hour when RPM under 1700. The exterior is really nice. The car is wonderful for a small family. I could get 32 miles MPG just on highway, but I never got 38 miles MPG on highway, it is unrealistic. Even I have a hard foot, I think that I could get more MPG than I have now. I made 7600 miles and generally OK with the Civic.

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  Honda Civic Si - 2003 Honda Civic
  By jordanwells57 - October 26 - 6:10 am

  Well what can I say. Its a honda civic Si. So its going to last forever and its a fast for an economy car. Its not going to win any races with a Mustang or big V8 or V6. Its not built to do that. It is built to last, run with min maint and fuel eff. It provides both, most I should have to pay for repairs in a given year is $600- 700 and that is all the way up to 150,000 miles. It will more than easily make it there. Im coming from a Honda Accord 2001 V6, 101000 miles. Now the 01 would beat my new civic. But the fun to drive factor cant be denied. The civic is a blast, not to mention when Im running it up to the red line at 6800 rpm Im still able to get 27-30 mpg.

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  Forget the Suburban, this is much better - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Mark McKenzie - October 26 - 1:10 am

  The touring Odyssey is incredible! I have an 02 Tahoe and my wife had a V6 Passat before trading the Passat for the Odyssey. We both love the van! I may trade the Tahoe for my own Odyssey. Our opinion, pay for the upgrades...the back-up camera is great, power doors and power liftgate, intergrated DVD and NAV, voice activation...this thing is awesome. I drove the Toyota Sienna and it does not compare to the Honda. Go drive one if you dealer has one; they can be hard to find.

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  Problems with a Honda? - 1994 Honda Accord
  By HondaOwner - October 26 - 1:00 am

  Ive had this car less than 2 years. I bought it used with only 84,000 miles on it. Well, I figured it would last me a while, but Im trading it. Ive had problems from the start, one after another. And some of the problems are ones that are common with all ones of this year, and other ones are just crazy. Today, I was driving on the highway, and AGAIN, the tachometer started jumping and around and the car would turn off and on, ON THE HIGHWAY. And this is only one of the several problems totalling so far over $1700, and I havent gotten this problem fixed yet. What am I to do, probably be a little weary of any other Honda purchase in the future.

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  A Great Car - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Mike Stonewall - October 25 - 5:54 pm

  For the price you get the most bang for your buck with a Honda Accord Sedan.....the EX model is more than well appointed and this car is just the right size. Gas mileage is excellent.

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  A fun, sporty ride that wont disappoint - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Patty - October 25 - 4:43 pm

  I fell in love with this car the minute I saw it. Instead of purchasing a new coupe, I scored a Certified Used 2006 with only 771 miles in the beautiful Royal Blue Pearl for a fraction of what a new one would have cost me. Ive only owned my coupe for 7 months and today was honestly the only day I had a problem with it. For some odd reason the engine wouldnt turn over!! It finally started. That was very puzzling and if it happens again, I of course will take it back to the dealer. Other than that, this car has not disappointed me at all. I get endless compliments on it all the time.

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  Dont Buy / Sell It, Customer Service is terrible - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Mark Stewart - October 25 - 11:20 am

  I bought the 2016 Civic Sedan EX-L before New Years and I have had nothing but headaches since. I have had multiple issues and made several calls to Honda about these issues. First issue, my radio display screen stopped working and showed a warning similar to an Internet browser Wait or Close Program. Im driving a new car which never should it close program for obvious safety reasons especially if you bought with Honda Sensing. Second problem I had was LaneWatch camera stopped working. When I turn on turn signal the radio would remain on the audio display. Third, an area button on my radio display space stopped responding to touch, which was not confirmed despite having a video of this. The Honda dealer could only verify my camera was not working and but could not address my other concerns which is ridiculous considering I have a video of my radio not working. Less than a month after buying my car several major service light turned on. These include power steering, braking system, parking brake system, up-hill assist, traction control error and tire pressure. My radio display audio button stopped working but was working so they could not verify an issue. The a different dealership was able to observe my radio display unit not work and decided to replace the information display unit. My camera has stopped working again but started before I could get it back in the shop. My major question is why my camera stopped working but the service department could not verify an issue. I attempted to put on my parking brake but the brake did not turn on the light blinked but did not engage. The service department could not replicate it was several days later and the car did not do that once I restarted the car. Except I have a brand new Honda Civic that has already taken a huge resale value hit because who wants a car with this many issue. The car has less than 1,500 miles on it and it has been anything but a turn-key experience. Dont trust the Honda Customer Care Hotline if they say no one has reported these issues because I have. I have made several calls to Honda Care Center and have received terrible service and some rude responses from the employees there granted I was rude and frustrated because it is a new car. I requested a new case manager be assigned but have since been contact by the same individual multiple times. They claim that they are unable to contact me through email and that I cant receive any communication other than telephone calls. I want to record the conversations with Honda Customer Care but was told if I state the call maybe recorded their policy is to not continue the call. Honda has given me no choice but to contact the NHTSA to report the problem with the eps unit, and parking brake problem. I will be contacting the necessary agencies to determine what I can do under state law.