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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  Great vehicle - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Bruce - March 18 - 9:32 am

  Greetings to all, this is my first purchase of a vehicle from Japan and I have to say this "Ill never buy anything else" again. My wife and I both love this vehicle, I am 62" & my wife is 52" we both fight over who is driving this vehicle on the next long trip! She hated my Jeep! Oh well, Honda & Toyota have it going on and the & Camry was the other choice, I went with the Pilot due to my size and the ease of entry for me. The Camry was a lot quieter though at 100MPH, yeah, I live in Germany right now & love the Autobhan here!! :) Ciao

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  Great car, dealership and service sucked - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Kathryn H - March 17 - 1:19 pm

  You can get a good deal, but the base model is very simple. No bells and whistles, but it will get you where you need to go.

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  Mixed feeling... - 1997 Honda Accord
  By likes2ski - March 17 - 10:00 am

  I consider this car basic transportion only. I neiether love or hate the styling. The single most important issue i have seen is the automatic transmission.I dont think most people will ever notice it but yes it does shift a little rough and yes it feels loose at 80,000 and it bothers me. I am starting to be a little conserned about it. so yes, the auto is not the greatest and i would consider it before buying one. This is a car i would drive anywhere and not worry. Buy the car, youll like it.

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  Best car ever!!! - 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Fernando - March 17 - 6:39 am

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  This is a Honda? - 2002 Honda Civic
  By ashleysandsamsmom - March 16 - 7:09 pm

  I just bought the car, I have had it a week and there is a vibrating noise in the front end when taking off or going up a hill. The dome light is bad and the fuel gauge is not working properly, the sensor is being replaced in a few days. The breaks are making a scrubbing noise. All of this has been brought up to the dealership they say all is normal but the fuel sensor and dome light! So to have this car for only a week and all these things to be wrong, thats not good. I thought Hondas were reliable and wonderful cars! It didnt come with a CD player and the windows you have to manually roll them up, I am lazy.

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  Really nice SUV - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Jimmy Burleson - March 15 - 6:23 am

  Ive owned my Touring AWD for 3 weeks and love driving it. Its very comfortable and fun to drive. This is my first car with a CVT transmission and Im still getting use to that. I didnt care for the RIM design at first. But, love them after seeing them in motion. I hope they dont scratch off the black finish when I take it for tire rotations. The engine noise can be a little loud on acceleration, but I can live with it. Id definitely recommend the EX or higher trim to get the Honda sensing features. Those are fantastic!! Right now Im getting 26mpg city driving in a lot of stop and go traffic as I drive during rush our to work each way.

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  Best Vehicle Weve Had - 2005 Honda Element
  By hillbilly - March 14 - 8:12 pm

  We live at the end of a dead end road and our Element spends a LOT of time off road and on bad roads. Downsides are that the seats are a bit uncomfortable on long trips, the visibility is sometimes difficult with the side pillar, the gas mileage could be better. Also, the moon roof is way too difficult to replace after removing. Wish the rack spacing on the roof was longer. The wipe down seats and interior are wonderful for a canoe paddler that also hauls his dogs around. Have had it for going on 4 years and no problems except for drivers seat problems. Our Element has never been stuck except after a 6" ice storm. Routinely cross creeks et al on the farm and it rarely kicks into 4WD.

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  40 mpg - 1996 Honda Civic
  By BPM, Maine - March 14 - 11:37 am

  Great point A to B car, excellent for city driving. The 96-00 Civics are some of the best used cars around. Inexpensive to own (purchase price, Ins. cost, repair, fuel etc.). ***The SOHC engines can be prone to connecting rod bearing failure at high mileage.***

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  2500 mile vacation - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By allan d - March 13 - 5:10 pm

  Took a 2500 mile trip with my Honda LX. Best mileage was 26.47 mpg highway, the worst was 16.99 mpg with city and low octane gas.The seats are very uncomfortable and firm, and we had to stop every hour to get out of the van.aWe added padded seat cushions and several small pillows for the chairs, then we could sit in the seats several hours without our legs going numb. With a full load for vacation the van rode very harsh over rough highways and expansion joints. We had wind noise from 35 to 70mph. It is the windshield trim strip gap. Acceleration was great. It has a much sharper turning radius for parking.

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  She loves the van - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By kagey1 - March 12 - 4:41 pm

  My wife had gone on record as saying she would never drive a minivan. Three kids later shes driving the Odyssey and loves it. The interior is extremely versatile and great room for the kids, their friends and all of the accumulated stuff. Weve had it on several trips and its performed great with just over 25 mpg on the highway and around 19-20 around town. The seats are comfortable and it drives more like a car than most vans and handles surprisingly well. It does have a lot of wind noise, primarily from the front passengers seat, but we just turn the radio up. The breaks are softer than what Id prefer but not to the point of feeling like were in danger. My wifes glad we bought it.