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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  Honda CRV (CVT) transmission problems - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By john802 - August 15 - 7:13 pm

  So I am not the only one complaining to Honda about their new CRV transmission!!! Just bought a new "Touring" model - not able to test drive before as none available but owned CRV before. On way home after picking up new car identified "Steady State" speed vibration and drumming in the car. happens at steady state speed between 20 to 40 MPH. Took it back to dealership - Service Tech came out with me for test drive and confirmed problem and suggested we take another newer 15 CRV out for a run - the vibration and drumming sound in the Cabin was even worse than mine!! Contacted Honda Canada to be told my car was performing as designed - so fault was "Designed" into car by Honda?

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  5th Civic, 1st Hybrid - 2009 Honda Civic
  By JeremyE - August 15 - 8:40 am

  This is my first hybrid, but 5th Honda Civic. I briefly left the brand for a 2008 MINI Cooper S, but quickly returned to Honda. The quality of the car/pieces in my opinion or better then most luxury vehicles. Compared to my MINI without the sport package the ride in the Hybrid is quite and heavenly! The Hybrid in real world driving handles far better then my Cooper S. In the MINI hitting uneven pavement jerked the car around. The Hybrid hangs on to the curves with the same go-for-itness and absorbs bumps without drama. Per the OBC I avg 31 MPG in the Cooper S, the first week I got 45.7 MPG in the Hybrid. None of my Civics have left me stranded. This is why I returned back to Honda.

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  Very good van - 1997 Honda Odyssey
  By Tim Cook - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable and fun to drive. Lots of room.

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  a great fun small car - 1990 Honda Civic
  By cosmok - August 15 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car new oh some 13 years ago and still love it. Its extremely nimble (saved me from an accident at the last second), simple design (utilitarian), and just looks great. I realized how great the looks were on Hondas/Acuras in the early 90s and how the looks deteriored later on in the 90s... but its starting to get its spunk back.

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  2000 Honda Odyssey EX - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By justsprink - August 14 - 11:46 pm

  Great vehicle! No problems in 2 1/2 years. A must have with children!

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  Drives great! Best features/price in class - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Magflo - August 14 - 11:18 pm

  There is no wonder this CR-V is a top seller and gets rave reviews from the pros. It truly delivers all a compact suv should be, space for people and stuff with a great ride. All of my passengers are 6 or so and have good space in pasenger seat and back seat. At least once a week I drive with three adults in the back row and while its a squeeze to get seat belts buckled, once theyre in theyre good to go. I cross shopped this segment heavily, even considered the prius v wagon, but in the end I found the CR-V so easy to drive. And while there may be others in the compact suv segment with lower starting prices for their base models, when youre shopping the top trim levels with all available features the CR-V is priced the best. The touring trim has leather seats , sunroof (wish it were panoramic), power liftgate, collision mitigation braking system (I actually saw this in action in my vehicle yesterday!), lane departure warning ( most others offer this too but I dont find this feature that useful), lane keep assist (most others dont have this and I find this VERY useful), adaptive cruise control (this is really neat, Ive used this around town but really looking forward to using this on our long family road trips ) and that nifty right side lane view mirror, Im really liking that. Im getting good mpg too. I hesitate to even bring up the vibration issue everyone talks about in the 2015 model but I am a motion sensitive person and I shopped the CR-V looking for the vibrations since I was aware of what others had said, I can tell you it really is a non-issue in the 2016 and from what I understand those with the issue in the 2015 can go to dealer to have remedy applied. No vehicle is entirely still at idle, except maybe the Prius since it shuts off its engine but then that Prius sure didnt drive like this CR-V does :-)

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  Best Car We Could Have Bought - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Don - August 14 - 9:23 pm

  We needed a good commuter car that was reasonably priced and good gas mileage. After reading all the reviews I could find, it became apparent the Fit was the way to go. We were sold on it at as soon as we test drove one. In our area it was hard to find the Sport with the manual transmission. We love this car, it is amazing how such a small car can fit 4 large people fairly comfortably. For the price it is the best deal out there.

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  I love this car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By doin4myself - August 14 - 7:16 pm

  I love my Honda. This is my first Honda and I must say I am very impressed. I only drive it on the weekends so I have no gripes over fuel economy. It feels great to get into my Honda after driving my 01 Pontiac Sunfire. It handles well and it is smooth sailing. The heated seats for me and my passenger are a plus for the cold weather.

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  Best Auto Buy - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Filco & Neri - August 14 - 7:03 pm

  It drives wonderful and beautiful plain contemporary inside. Outside design is clean and sleek. Outside may look plain, but I know that Id rather have a Honda than any other car for its safety and reliability.

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  Kyles Lude - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By KylesLude - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Great car to buy and fun to drive, of course reliable.