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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  FEEL CHEATED - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By John - May 14 - 12:44 am

  No compass. Really! We wrote a check for more than $41,000 to own a 2018 Odyssey minivan that Honda purposely put on the market with no compass, a simple tool standard in every decent vehicle since about the dawn of internal combustion. Shame on them. We wouldnt have bought this van if we had known it didnt have a compass. Some people writing online say Honda is manipulative, trying to force people to pay thousands more for the most expensive trims to get a simple, cheap feature found on every car but low-end fleet vehicles. Honda may be manipulative, or have no regard for customers, or just plain stupid. The people at my Honda dealership were as shocked as me at the absence of a compass. I would trade the moon roof, which Ill probably never open, or leather seats for a compass. I really wanted to feel good about owning a new minivan with many electronic and safety features, but now I simply seen a large gray machine in the garage with no compass. Im sure Honda could retrofit this minivan to include a compass if they cared. In the meantime Ill use my old Boy Scout compass and wish I had bought a Toyota.

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  Excellent Economy Car - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Snowman1090 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I have an automatic and I must say that it is a great car to drive around town. It is compact and easy to drive. It gets great gas mileage and it has enough room inside for the size of the car.

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  Love My Honda - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Rickya91 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Great car totally reliable, engineered excellent, its right up their with the Corolla, I used to be a Toyota man, but Im starting to be a Honda fan after owning 4 Hondas and seeing how long those engines go.

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  Civic 2001 LX 4Dr Sedan - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Patricia Castellon - May 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the second time I have leased a civic and I have enjoyed the cars. They are very depandable, and most important to me they do not waste a lot of gas. If you are looking for a small, inexpensive, nice looking car.....this is the car for you.

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  Have Yet to be Disappointed!!! - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Tom Rakip - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I have had my 02 Civic EX Coupe for a week short of a year and love it more as time passes! The seats are very accomodating (Im 510"/255lbs), interior is designed very egronomically, pretty peppy, nice drivetrain, excellent MPG (I average 31 MPG combined, right on par with the 31/38 claim). It has stood up very well for the mileage I put on it so far! I went with Eternal Blue w/Moonroof Visor, 15-Spoke Honda Wheels, Rear Wing Spoiler, Fenderwell Trim and Mudguards for looks :-)

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  civic SI - 2003 Honda Civic
  By eyss - May 13 - 10:00 am

  car is NICE, very fast, very silent, fun to drive. although is very well built, some of the interior moldings and panels come loos or dont fit perfectly. i am not sure if it is only my car, or an engineering flaw. otherwise, i have no complaints on this car.

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  My Honda Civic EX - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Spikeyhairboy12 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  My Honda Civic is the best car I ever owned. In 1989, I bought a Honda Accord, and had it til 1999. It had 237 thousand miles on it, and was in perfect condition. My Civic will last me 12 years.

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  Love This Car - 2003 Honda Accord
  By KevinV - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Love this car!! The 4 cylinder engine w/the 5 spd auto is outstanding. It has plenty of power for the highway as well as mountain roads. Driving this car gives me the impression that Im driving something alot more expensive. The overall quality is excellent.

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  its all talk. you gotta represent. - 1996 Honda Civic
  By boohiss for civics - May 13 - 2:00 am

  i bought a honda becuase i thought i could reley on it to provide me with good transproation. i bought the highest grade model, and things just started going wroge within two weeks of my car off the lot. my electircal system had to be completely rewired, my head had to be replaced, and my transmission was less than satisfactory. after two montehs with this car, i left my civic crap for a new cavalier, which has been much more reliable, and saved me about 3000 dollars, even after the hondas bills.

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  Honda is slipping - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Jeff308M1 - May 12 - 11:13 am

  Car was bought brand new 2 months ago. Already had to have weather stripping fixed and now paint is cracking and coming off all over. Dealership claims it is environmental wear and tear and that Honda uses inferior paint and advised me to claim it on my car insurance. With a $1000 deductible and no proximate cause except a manufacturing defect, their suggestion does not sound like a good idea.