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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  My Car is Elemental - 2005 Honda Element
  By wamba - July 11 - 3:10 pm

  Ive owned my 2004 EX $wd AT since September. It has just shy of 10,000 miles of trouble free miles. Ultimate in flexibility, great for tall people and my tall teens, and plenty of guts to move on the highway. Took a business trip to a conference with an associate and loaded the E with the Booth/Display, brochure, stands, luggage, etc. We were cruisng down the Interstate about 82 mph and he was amazed at how rock solid it felt and relatively quiet---no wind noise and average road noise for a small wheelbase SUV.

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  2008 Honda Accord EXL V6 4Dr - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Sunnfunn - July 11 - 2:56 pm

  Purchased my 4dr EXL V6 2 weeks ago. Have put approx 175 highway miles on it. VCM/Tranny on highway are very noticable to the point it is annoying. The VCM/Tranny switching back and forth make you wonder what the car is doing all the time. Seats are stiff but once adjusted seem to become more comfortable. Suspension/driving are better than past Accords and engine has plenty of power. Overall an improvement over older Accords but VCM/Tranny issues have me concerned about the longetivity of this car.

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  This is one nice car! - 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By jnwfla - July 11 - 1:03 pm

  I have researched and test driven a lot of cars over the last couple months (Equinox, RDX, Fusion, SRX, CTS Wagon, Venza, Mazda6, Sonata and probably some I cant remember). The Crosstour is the best of the lot. This car is for my wife and she wanted a sedan at first (moving from a Passat Wagon and a few SUVs before that). I showed her the Crosstour with sedan/coupe styling but still some utility with the hatchback and she fell in LOVE. The car has good power, lots of features and rides like you are on a cloud. Like some say, it is an Accord on steroids.

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  Great Car - 2007 Honda Civic
  By dadtova - July 11 - 10:03 am

  I Love this car. The body style is awesome. This is my first Honda. I commute 80 miles a day round trip to and from work. So far after a month, I have avg. 47 mpg. Im glad I paid the extra money for the Nav system with XMradio. I love it that I only have to fill it up once a week, even with my big commute. I found that in order to get the best mpg you cant be a lead foot.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By RetiredGuy - July 11 - 10:00 am

  The first sedan Ive owned in 24 yrs. The handling and stability are outstanding with plenty of power producing a very comfortable ride. The engine is very quiet for a V-6.

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  Odyssey Nightmare - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Zoo - July 11 - 7:53 am

  Warped rotor discs on day one. Air conditioning was/is weak after replacing the control head. Run flat tires are terrible, 21K and they are nearly bald, yet the dealer is still pushing them at 45-50K. Called Michelin and they said you should get 35-40K as well and when I told them of my plight they said take it to a tire place for their consideration. Dealership after one year still cannot replace rubber on tire and am having difficulty finding a shop that can replace them. Dealership also stated that if the rim is rubbed in any way, you must buy new rim system with tire for about $600. Highly discourage this vehicle for all considering.

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  Great compact SUV - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By D west - July 11 - 2:46 am

  Great fuel economy. Good SUV for family of four , not needing 3 rd row seating. Great trunk room for groceries etc.

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  Great car, just needs a few improvements - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Carl - July 10 - 10:26 pm

  Very happy with the car. Not only is it fun to drive, but it is fuel efficent and stylish to look at. I bought the car because I travel about 80 miles a day and I am now saving major cash on gas over the Ford I had before. Honda has a winner here if they would just make a couple of improvements.

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  Best yet - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Tinner - July 10 - 10:40 am

  When you get in this car, it is like slipping on a favorite pair of shoes; very comfortable,and it is amazingly roomy inside. Everything is right at the finger tips and the design is very intuitive. We do mostly highway driving and are getting about 36 mpg with 10,000 miles now on the car. The engineering is incredible - the car is so quite inside and rides very, very smooth! Finally, it comes standard with side airbags and a great safety rating. I would and do highly recommend this car.

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  AWFUL Info-system - 2013 Honda Accord
  By hnda_suks - July 10 - 9:19 am

  Could not be more disappointed in Honda! Quality control poor. The most annoying part with my brand new car is the Audio module that intermittently (but most of the time) malfunctions. Every time I switch from another module (Info, Navi, or Phone) to the Audio while driving, the frigging system thinks I just started the car, a black screen appears then HondaLink Logo and then a warning message about safe operation of the vehicle - the same sequence that appears when you first start the car. All this paralyzes the system for 10-15 seconds, and only after that, finally, the Audio features reappear, with radio stations or XM. Worse, the sound loses stereo!!! and only the right side plays.