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:

• 

  Love my Civic SI - 2015 Honda Civic
  By kb24goat - June 10 - 2:27 pm

  Overall the 2015 Civic SI is a great vehicle, I use it as my everyday driver commuting 30 miles daily. This is the first Honda I have ever owned and I fell in love as soon as I test drove the car. Because of the short shifts, the car definetely feels faster than it really is, but do not get me wrong I still think it is a little underpowered, but for what I paid for the car, it is something that I can live with. To me the sedan option seems like a no brainer since either way you still get the same power, and in the sedan you get a very comfortable backseat. The wheels are usually a love or hate thing and to me they are easy on the eyes.

• 

  The car is just amazing!! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By melhalbi - June 10 - 11:36 am

  Ive purchased this car used with 21k on it and so far Ive made it to 32k without any single issue. The car drives awesome, the CVT needs to get used to, and it becomes just fun and awesome to drive. My only concern is the noise that comes from the dash sometimes. Also, the car is a wide car for a person who came from a small Honda Civic, so I suggest to be very careful driving at the first time until u get adjusted to the size of the car, I already had 2 major scratches on the paint. Other than that, the car is great! LOVE IT

• 

  Incredibly impressed with this car - 2014 Honda Accord
  By adaminwestdale - June 5 - 2:21 pm

  As with every Honda Ive ever owned, this car does everything just as it should. It is beyond reliable, incredibly comfortable, handles great, is powerful and yet returns pretty impressive fuel economy for a V6. It turns heads everywhere I go - thanks to the Tiger-Eye Pearl (metallic brown) paint job and the beautiful two-tone leather interior. But more than all of that, I was so impressed by the technology (lane-watch camera, front collision warning, land departure warning) that I actually convinced my partner to replace an aging Hyundai Santa Fe with a new 2015 CRV Touring to get the same (plus even more) safety technology.

• 

  Love my 2015 CR-V EX AWD - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By justlou - June 1 - 11:08 pm

  My first Honda since I owned a 1995 Civic, and I couldnt be happier with my CR-V EX. I really need AWD for the Winter, and the Cr-V was a great choice. Fun to drive. Runs and rides great. Great gas mileage too.

• 

  What you expect from Honda - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By briankennedyy - June 1 - 4:48 pm

  Traded in my 2011 CRV EX AWD for a new 2015 LX AWD. After a heads up about vibration problems from reviewers, I took a ten mile test drive of highway and winding country roads. Drove two CRVs and one Odyssey. The CRVs were flawless. The Odyssey was slightly dated. The new CRV is quieter, smoother and handles better than my old CRV. Highly recommend the CRV but test drive before you buy .

• 

  5 Stars Across The Board - Best Car Built - 1992 Honda Civic
  By cool_breeze1 - May 31 - 10:45 am

  Best built car ever in my opinion. Great built, reliability, design, fuel efficiency, repairability. I still have this car - 156,000 miles, body and frame are still holding up after a decade in salt country, parts are easy to find, inexpensive, easy to replace. By the way, this is the second one I have owned and real MPG is actually BETTER than the government-stats posted online - this one gets 38 MPG highway, my previous one got 44 MPG highway, both are in the 30s in the city - better than many older hybrids without all the batteries. I dont drive it any more but really cannot part with it because it is a rare gem of an auto - one designed with quality in mind rather than profit.

• 

  Been driving it for 12 years - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By manyhondas - May 31 - 12:40 am

  Bought it new as a family van and now has 178,000 miles. In early years, we used it for long trips to Florida, New York, & Canada. Got power and accelerates well. Comfort is fine for local driving but on very long road trips, I wished I had more seat adjustments. The design ambiance is awesome and thats why its still in our driveway. Had two repaint jobs, one major maintenance overhaul, and transmission was rebuilt once. For many years, this minivan has performed better than I expected. Now that its 12 years old, our air conditioner acts weird about every 6 months until my mechanic tinkers around with it. We are tough and assertive urban city drivers.

• 

  4th S2000 Ive owned. So far the best! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By revs2k - May 28 - 2:12 pm

  The title is correct. Ive owned 4 of these amazing roadsters. 2007, 2002, 2003 and now a 2004. The 2007 had the VSA and the throttle-by-wire feature where there is no physical throttle cable to the manifold. The larger 2.2 engine in the later models makes commuting easier and less noisy. The earlier ones rev higher,are louder and (in my opinion) faster. The 2004 is my favorite so far. Not as encumbered with electrical nannies. The immediacy of the throttle mirrors the earlier model and the styling changes are very much to my liking. Overall this is a great car for any enthusiast. Ive owned many cars and this is the most visceral car Ive owned. My advice is get one while you still can!

• 

  Choices - 2015 Honda Civic
  By askabry1 - May 23 - 10:58 am

  Im a long time Honda fan, returning to the fold. End of the day, there are STILL no free lunches. When you look at the Accord EX-L and the Civic EX-L, you will simply give up speed and size to gain MPG and dollars. Fit and finish of materials are good. The array of technological controls are mind-boggling if that is cool to you, at this price point I cant see where youd do better. Bottom line, is the juice worth the squeeze? All in (no games on trade-ins), Accord EX-L w/4cyl, $10,400 for three years of lease ownership. The Civic is $8600, plus 10-12% savings in gas/ins. Hard to justify it.

• 

  It became a legend - 2006 Honda Element
  By drrtygary - May 22 - 11:17 pm

  In 2003, I hated them. They were square, somehow shy looking, and yet moved with unearned confidence. Then, in 2009, when a friend told me he was looking for one, I gave it a second glance. I test-drove one. Seven hours later, it was in my name. I bought my 2006 Element EX with 30,000 miles on it. Six years later, when the odometer read about 77,000 miles, I found it hit by a driver and totaled. Very sad. This Element is the perfect companion. Its resilient, adaptable, and always two steps ahead. It finished my...sentences. As long as I fed it oil and kept it up, it was dependable. In 2015, Im looking to buy my second Element. I love this car, even if its a bit nerdy and too forgiving.