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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  Honda Accord: Great Car! - 1992 Honda Accord
  By AZ-guy - January 20 - 2:00 am

  We bought a 92 Honda Accord LX 4-door sedan in 95 as the care came off a 3- year lease from a private party. We have been very happy with the reliability and low operating costs of this vehicle. Now that the Accord has 108,000 miles on it, we are just as happy with it as when we bought it.

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  Great For the Money - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By jbjudkins - January 20 - 1:33 am

  I bought this car for my wife earlier this year. So far, we love it. It was the first Japanese car in the family and I dont know if I will ever go back to American. It is by far the best valued small SUV and most economical to drive. There is a ton of room and it rides very nice. Another added bonus...it is cheaper to insure than my 2006 Pontiac Vibe. I didnt expect that.

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  Two Thumbs Up - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By RLM - January 20 - 12:16 am

  Initially, my wife and I thought the RAV-4 was our favorite, but after test driving the CR-V and comparing features and price, there is really no comparison (unless you think the V-6 option on the RAV-4 is important.) We found the CR-V to be quieter, interior much more refined and plenty of power from the 4 cylinder engine. My wife enjoys having space for her purse on the center floor beneath the gear shifter pod. Have driven only about 400 miles and the mpg seems be close to advertised numbers. The vehicle has a firm, solid feel on the road and visibility is excellent. Im thinking that this is one vehicle that we will be keeping for awhile. Wish it had auto headlights, otherwise very happy

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  Great performance needs improvement for the price - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Joe Gillie - January 19 - 6:01 pm

  Had the car for 4 months and 4k miles. Bought it used/certified with 42k miles. Starter had to be replaced 1 month after I bought it. First the bad: the stereo stinks. FM radio sounds like AM mono. Bluetooth lags but sounds decent. Cd player sounds the best but doesnt read .mp3 discs. USB input doesnt recognize my android phone to play music. Aux input sound is not good. Phone to car stereo interface doesnt work (everyone has this problem and Honda is not fixing it.) The Active noise cancelling doesnt work but is not needed as car is quiet. YOU CANT REPLACE THE STEREO without losing many functions and settings!!! This thing called IMID which controls many functions and features and settings non stereo related is built in to the stereo! HOW IDIOTIC IS THAT!?! The front seats are not comfortable. No lumbar adjust or support. I have good athletic posture and the head rest pushes your neck/head forward. The seats are not (that) bad, but should be better at this price. I use small pillow for lumbar. Missing some obvious features like lighting for back seat, no cup holders in back seat, power outlets only work when car is on, no floor lighting. Not a fan of the push button start. One thing I dont like is the center console layout. Not good use of space. When using cups in cup holder, interferes with shifting, forget using a coffee mug. The doors on my coupe are too big and heavy. Not expecting the alignment and hinges of doors to last. (I wont be doing a 2 door ever again!) Hard to get out of car in tighter spaces and hard to load things in car. For some reason, the pass through feature between trunk and back seat is left off on the coupe? The area on the hood just above the grill is very prone to little rock chips. I think its the aerodynamics? The good: the car drives wonderful! The handling is like a much more expensive sports car! Yes, Ive driven nice sports cars...The car doesnt feel like the rated hp and torque, but its good enough. I love Honda manual tranny and the way they shift and this doesnt disappoint! Hint to Honda...(keep up the way you do manual transmissions!) I enjoy the Sunroof. Factory smoked windows are a GREAT feature! The dual zone control HVAC is a nice feature! Wish fan speed was dual/independent controlled. Trunk space is great for a 2 door and car this size! backup camera screen is nice size especially compared to other cars. Did I mention the handling and steering and braking on this car is incredible!?! In economy mode only 1 mpg difference. Others are getting the same result in econ mode. Im getting about 29 mpg. combined highway/city driving.

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  Cant go wrong with a Civic - 2007 Honda Civic
  By IJ - January 19 - 5:56 am

  Got this car after my 07 Camry got totaled. Like the title of my review says, you really cant go wrong Civic if you are looking for a well built affordable coupe or sedan. Im 26 and exterior looks matter a lot to me. Civic Coupe LX in nighthawk black looks really sharp, and I got whole bunch of compliments on the looks after I changed the factory wheels with aftermarket alloys. The coupe is fun to drive and is also very comfortable. The interior design is very interesting, and stock stereo system is pretty decent. Healthy 1.8 L engine gives you very good fuel economy without compromising performance. You are not going to get bored with this car for awhile(coupe, not sure about sedan)

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  mpg is disappointing for short trips - 2005 Honda Accord
  By daga - January 19 - 5:36 am

  We purchased a Honda Accord Hybrid just last week. The fuel economy is disappointing us. Because my daily trips to work are short, the fuel saving features dont activate until half-way there. I would probably get equal fuel economy with a 4 cylinder non-hybrid and have saved 7 thousand dollars. The Accord hybrid does show good fuel economy on the freeway, but not on stop and go city driving.

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  THE BEST CAR YOULL EVER OWN!! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Blondie427 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is soooo much fun to drive, the halogen lights are the best they light up the whole road!!! Not the most smooth ride but, who cares ITS FAST!!!!

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  Dollar for Dollar The Best Coupe - 2007 Honda Civic
  By socalsnowboarder - January 19 - 12:46 am

  After having researched and reading reviews on the new Civic Si, I finally made the purchase. From the moment I took it off the lot, I had a beaming grin. This car loves to be driven. I couldnt wait to pass the 500 mile mark to really see what it was made out of. Honda really keeps the driver in mind when they made this car, from the adjustable leather steering wheel, short shifter, seat ergonomics, headrests, and high quality plastics and interior. I was also considering getting the mustang GT, Infiniti G35, and nissan 350Z, obviously sheer torque and horsepower surpass the Si, but as far as performance, reliability, and the joy of driving, the Si is hard to beat

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  Needs a hybrid 6 - 2005 Honda Element
  By Needs a hybrid 6 - January 18 - 11:26 pm

  Great design - the folding seat, the suicide doors. It already seems to appeal to eco-friendly types. Listen to the other reviews and give it a 6 cyl engine for more HP, but make it a hybrid for better gas mileage.

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  SWLA 08 CR-V - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By kipnita - January 18 - 10:30 pm

  Adequate space, super economy, not as comfortable as my prior vehicle (Chevy Avalanche) and somewhat load on certain pavement surfaces but overall a very pleasing, efficient CUV. I cross shopped with the RAV4 (too spartan in base trim - sunroof not available and MUCH more expensive in sport and limited trims when comparably equipped), and Ford Escape (throwback to yesteryear). Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase.