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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  Hondas kick ass! - 2004 Honda Element
  By cherry4me - October 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the second honda I have had. I had a 93 civic for 7 years, it was great. This 03 element is even better. Still small, only 11 inches longer than the civic. Great gas milage, & safer to drive now that Im not so low to the ground.

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  35000 Miles & Still Happy - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Hybrid Owner - October 8 - 10:00 am

  Stats: avg 500+ mi/tank, avg 47.0 mpg over 35k mi. My car seemed to have about a 10k mile break-in period before 50 mpg per tank became common. Winter also lowers the mpg per tank to low to mid 40s. Highly recommend the manual to get better performance. From a purely economic standpoint (I bought for other reasons) it is better to buy a normal Civic. Assuming you get a 47 mpg hybrid for a final cost of $19k and you get about $500 back in taxes from your deduction, a normal civic at 35mpg would show a breakeven at 100k miles for a cost of $17150 at $1.90/gal of gas. You can get a pretty sweet normal Civic for $17150 and not take the hybrid battery risk

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  GREMLINS IN THE CABIN - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Aimey - October 8 - 10:00 am

  This could be a great car. Honda seems to neglect a major problem. This is the third brand new honda I have owned. I have had extremely annoying rattles in all of them. Honda needs to address this issue. Dealership is very unhelpful but friendly. Fuzzy tape is their fix for every rattle. This has been very unsuccessful. I wish Honda would step up to the plate and make this the car it could be. That being said it is a beautiful car inside and out and the reliability is outstanding. Would I buy another honda???

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  Fabulous car for the money - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By curer - October 8 - 6:45 am

  just traded in an 08 highlander sport for crv ex-l.. this car is by far the best car i have ever owned- safety feature packed, nice interior, not a bunch of hard plastic, love the matte finish on the faux wood - only one complaint - they come with the cheapest floor mats ive ever seen .... purchased the all weather mats to throw over them because i suspect these that came with it wont hold up for a year or more..other than that minor issue the car is fantastic!!!

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  Simple, reliable machine - 1990 Honda Accord
  By Snowbelt Survivor - October 8 - 2:00 am

  With over 150,000 miles on it, our Hondas still running strong, and the steering is still tight and nimble. Uses zero quarts of oil between changes. Timing belt needs to be changed at regular intervals, and the slightest warping of your rotors will cause your steering wheel to shimmy going down the road. In the rust belt, the rear wheel well area rusts out even if the rest of your Hondas bohdy is in great shape. Water gets trapped in here with no way out. Fortunately, our local body shop cut out the rust and welded in new pre- formed sheet metal on both sides for under $800.

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  sweet car! - 1992 Honda Accord
  By pook22 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  i bought this accord exr only a couple months ago, and i love it! yeah i bought it old but i should get a few years out of it yet - its a honda! i love both the look and the drive

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  Accord - 1996 Honda Accord
  By Melody9999 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Very good car. I have owned it for 8 years and the only problem Ive had was a headlight burning out.

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  A Car Enthusiasts Hybrid - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Southern Oregonian - October 7 - 10:00 pm

  The days of choosing between a fuel-efficient "pregnant rollerskate" and a car that passes everything but a gas station are over. The Accord Hybrid nicely packages performance with fuel economy. The exceptional marriage of the vaunted 3.0L V- TEC V6 engine with an electric motor is definitely the vehicles mechanical strength. This is Hondas third-generation IMA project, and it shows far greater refinement than its predecessors. My primary concern rests with Accords standard automatic transmission. It surely contributes to the vehicles "smoothness," but my tranny can be finicky. It waits too long to shift at times and can create a pause-and-burst sensation between first and second gears.

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  Changed Thinking - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Steve C. - October 7 - 7:06 pm

  Extremely happy with my Honda! Traded in a Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe. Loved that car...love this car! Im 64- very comfortable on long and short hops! Figured out how to drive efficiently from various hybrid websites. 48.7 overall mpg and have slowed way down! Right lane fun!

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  No vibration here - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jim - October 7 - 12:10 pm

  Apparently, I got one without the vibration issue. I already have 65,000 trouble-free miles on this vehicle and I have never noticed a vibration issue. It has been the second-best vehicle Ive ever owned, with the best being my 2005 CRV with 290,000 miles on it. Im sold on Honda quality. And, bonus, the 2015 was built in the U.S.