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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  Starts Everytime - 1996 Honda Accord
  By OvchkinLine - February 14 - 8:18 am

  Ive had this car in my family going on 14 years now, bought it brand new in 96. Shes going on 300,000KM by this spring, shes seen summers in 99 and the worst of Canadian winters in 01-02. Ive done my best to baby her (oil changes every 5000Km, routine maintenance and a few new cheap Honda parts here and there). Shes quicker then most cars on the road, drives incredible and cheap on gas. What more can you ask for in a car.

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  Good Car - 1995 Honda Civic
  By blazer16 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Passenger side front seat-back broke off on right side.

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  I love my honda! - 1997 Honda Accord
  By ErinS - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I was very surprised to see that people have had problems with these cars. My car drives like a dream. At 102,000 I havent had a single problem. Great commuter car, comfortable and great on fuel economy.

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  Minor complaints - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Go Daddy - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I have 7,500 miles on mine. Dependable E solid. Quite a bit of wind noise around the A pillar. We barely average 22 mpg in mixed city & highway driving. Storage, the table, & the CD player are great. However, no need for a picnic table - rather have the spare tire there. The check engine light came on after 5,000 miles. At first the dealer was reluctant to look at it and claimed that the problem was due to not tightening the gas cap. I finally took it to the dealer and they adjusted the engines computer program. No problems since. I also test drove a Ford Escape. Not near as solid, but more cargo space. Quality led me to the CRV.

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  Wifes Car - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By sberzin - February 13 - 2:00 am

  2002, CRV EX. Fun to drive but corners poorly. Washes out on wet roads when turning from a complete stop. Enjoy the storage capacity in back. Also very comfortable/roomy interior for family of three. But, not a family car. Relatively quite. Good luck from local dealer (Rosen,Gurnee IL). Retains blue book value drastically better then Pontiac. 5,000 miles with no repairs needed.

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  Vibrate on red light - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Volodymyr - February 12 - 9:37 am

  Makes vibration under drivers seat when you stopped on red right

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  I love this car - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Patti - February 11 - 7:06 pm

  Over the past 3 years, weve never had any problems with this car. Havent had any repairs done, just the regular maintenance. When I drive the car, it consistently gets 45-52 mpg (depending on whether its highway or city; summer or winter and whether the bike rack is on the roof); my husband gets a little lower--probably 42-51. Driving styles will definitely impact the mileage. As a short person, I love that I can see out of the car and the blind spots are minimal. Only having to get gas once every 4-6 weeks is a major plus; and weve driven the car from Chicago to Syracuse, NY on more than one occasion (a 12 hour drive), using just one tank of gas.

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  Suspension is crap - 2001 Honda Civic
  By boxter76 - February 11 - 10:11 am

  Bought brand new, careful maintenance, still issues. 20,000 miles - both front struts replaced under warranty. 90,000 miles - all 4 struts replaced, $900 cost. 100,000 miles - catalytic converter, 2 oxygen sensors, front control arm bushings replaced - $1500 cost. SRS light went off due to faulty drivers side seat belt buckle, dealer replaced under lifetime warranty of safety equipment. 120,000 miles - rattling started and at 40+ miles/hour sounds like Im flying a plane. Many suggested here that wheel barrings are out. Never left me stranded, but starting to require more than preventative maintenance.

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  Good Car - Not Perfect - 2002 Honda Civic
  By AtTheLake - February 10 - 9:42 pm

  Drive train and suspension are rock solid after 135K miles. Great gas mileage. Would buy another, but cant say the car is total nirvana. Had little things go wrong, fuel sender and interior light switch malfunctions at 40K and more usual stuff fail later on, but overall a decent little car.

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  Update on previous review - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By kcrv2015 - February 10 - 2:26 pm

  We now have about 1800 miles on the CRV and we still like it a lot. The MPG has gone down to about 24 in mostly city driving. However, it has been very cold the past several weeks here and I expected our mileage to suffer. The vibration while stopped at traffic lights and during acceleration is still there but it does diminish greatly in sport mode. The vibration is clearly due to the very low RPM the car tries to maintain when you stop or accelerate. I can live with the vibration (or the lower mpg in sport mode) as long as the vibration does not impact reliability.