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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  05 Civic Value Pkg (Black ) - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Steve - June 29 - 8:23 pm

  The fit and finish on this car is incredible for an economy-type vehicle. The seats conform to the body extremely well; the car handles turns and curves like it is on rails. Value Package boasts a nice a/c, dual vanity visor mirrors and cd player. The maintenance schedule is remarkable: 10k miles between oil changes under normal driving conditions? WOW! 110k before scheduled tune up? Now thats what Im talking about. 29/38 MPG? I have only had the car for four days, but I am excited to see how much $$ I will be potentially saving by not having to visit the pump as often.

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  Love our Pilot - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Jeff M - June 29 - 11:34 am

  We purchased our 07 in 2010 with 30k miles on it as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. It has 82k on it now and has been a wonderful car. I recently did the timing belt and water pump which isnt a cheap maintenance item, but other than that and rear shocks its needed nothing. Drives like its brand new and feels like a very expensive car. If I had one complaint it would be lack of storage space behind the third row of seats, which is now a problem since our family has grown from 4 to 6 in the time since we purchased the car! Fortunately we have an Odyssey that has become the default road trip vehicle as it has the extra storage space we need for long adventures. Cant say enough good things about this one though. I do plan on keeping it a long time. Also worth noting: some complain about Hondas use of a timing belt vs. chain. My last vehicle was a 4 cyl 02 Toyota Highlander that used a chain. At about 90k miles the front timing cover started leaking oil and I spent almost $1000 having it re-sealed. Had them replace the chain tensioner while they were in there just for preventive maintenance. When I sold it the car had 170k+ miles on it and that same area was leaking again. What good is a chain if the cover is going to leak oil anyway requiring the same kind of money to be spent as you would to have a belt changed? Thats my thinking. No, Im not crazy about dropping $900-1000 for timing belts every 100k but the point is whether chain (and the like I experienced with mine) or belt, my experience has been that youre going to spend the money regardless.

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  A Solid Compact Car - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Brioski - June 29 - 8:06 am

  Leased it brand new a year and a half ago. I put on quite a bit of highway mileage the first year. It handled nicely on the 25-30 Mile commute to and from work. On much longer drives (>100 miles) the seats become uncomfortable and lower back support is poor. Performance is good for zipping around town by yourself. Get 2-3 people in the car and your enjoyment decreases greatly. Drive up an incline with passengers and get ready to give it the gas. Transmission is amazing, ultra smooth even under hard acceleration. Engine noise acceptable, but buzzy at higher RPM which you will notice because to get decent acceleration the car must gear down and rev up a lot. No real complaints

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  Im surprised... I like it! - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By kimberkook - June 29 - 6:30 am

  The CR-V is my first SUV. It was purchased to deal with the deep winter snows weve been getting here more often. So, while Im most interested in utility, finding that the CR-V really handles well, has great road feel and peppy performance is an unexpected bonus. Gas mileage is higher than I expected, too. This is a thoroughly excellent vehicle.

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  car in good working condition - 1992 Honda Accord
  By barbara di pinto - June 29 - 2:00 am

  this car is in good working condition and has only been serviced by the dealer

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  Those d*mned interior lights! - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By AR22 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  In our Ody, if someone is reading with one of their individual seat lights, those lights do not go off, even if you turn off the engine, leave the car, and lock it with the keyless entry system. So, the light stays on until the battery is drained. This is a definite design flaw since this is a common problem. Its happened 3-4 times with me when one of the kids leaves the lights on, we park in the bright garage, get out, lock all doors, and dont realize its on until the next day when eveythings dead.

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  Our O - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Rick Torres - June 28 - 4:38 am

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  The Underadvertised Wonder - 2016 Honda Fit
  By C.Nowicki - June 27 - 11:24 pm

  I love Hondas. I have a 92 civic 5 speed with 287,000 miles that still gets 40+ MPG, and a 98 van with a V Tech and 276,000 miles that just brought a dorm full of furniture piled to the roof home for the 4th time. Both are in great shape, and my mechanic tells me they are both good for 500k. Well see. So for my daughters college graduation, after extensive research, I bought her a used 2015 Fit EX. WOW. We took a road trip from NC to PA through West Virginia to test it out. It got over 42 MPG. We had to fill it up once when we got to our destination. It climbed the WV mountains fluidly and powerfully without excessive downshift. The "Lane Watch" is super and helpful when merging right. The ride is smooth, the steering is terrific with a tight turning radius, and the handling is comfortable and responsive. There is a ton of headroom, and lots of legroom in the back seat. The only negatives are the road noise (which is similar to my van) the touch screen radio...complicated to adjust, knobs are much better, and the seats are flat and fatigue on long drives. An extra half inch of foam would be appreciated. Today my daughter left for a month of job training, with almost all of the same dorm room contents in the back of that little car, as I had crammed into the full size van. Flipping down the seats for cargo mode is effortless. Truly amazing! She loves it, and so do I. It is a 5 star safety rated fun to drive cargo handling wonder! Why isnt Honda advertising this car?

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  I wanted to like this car - 2013 Honda Fit
  By Nicole - June 27 - 7:15 pm

  I did extensive research on the Honda Fit and test drove the 2016, 2015 and 2013 models before purchasing a 2013 Honda Fit Sport. At 511.5, I knew a small car didnt appear to fit my frame, but as a long time driver of other subcompact cars I wasnt worried. After 3 weeks of driving, I developed moderate back pain. It doesnt help that the car handles poorly and gets blown around by the wind. I seriously regret buying this car and am planning to loss several thousand dollars to sale my car and get another car. The gas mileage is good, but my health and comfort is not worth.

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  2005 Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By BK - June 27 - 6:36 am

  We have had our 2005 Odyssey EX for just over a month now. We absolutely love it! We replaced our 04 Accord as we wanted a family car that was roomy. It is VERY spacious with an extremely well thought out interior design. It is also very flexible in the arrangement of the seats, etc. I wish the gas mileage was better, but what more can you expect for a 255HP, and Very Powerful, engine (and compared to similar models, the mileage actually is much better).