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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  Worth the wait and fun to drive - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Monty - January 9 - 3:03 pm

  Although this vehicle hasnt been in production for two years and most people say do not buy the first year of a redesigned vehicle, you cant go wrong with the 2017 Ridgeline if you are looking for a medium duty pickup for occasional hauling, camping or your tailgating at your favorite teams game. The water tight storage trunk in the bed is great for trips when you need that extra storage or when you need to load up on your favorite beverage for the tailgate to keep cold. Easy access and the bed lighting form both sides when you open the trunk, truly make this a needed accessory on more vehicles. The ride is smooth, the engine powerful and the remote start means you dont enter a cold vehicle in the winter or a hot one in the summer and that is important in West Texas. The vehicle comes prewired for towing and even has a connection for trailer brakes, meaning you dont have to do extra wiring yourself or have to take it back to the dealer to have the wiring upgraded. Mileage is good whether on the highway or making errands around town. May be the best vehicle purchase I have made in the last 20 years.

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  Excellent - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By CC - January 9 - 4:30 am

  I changed jobs and now driving 30 miles each way. I am averaging 35 mph on the highway. This car has been extremely fun and comfortable. My mileage around town is averaging 30-35 mph. This car has been a truly cost saver for me over our other car, a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited.

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  Good Car - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By M2SEWELL - January 9 - 2:00 am

  My Honda Prelude has been a very good car. I have had no serious problems and it is very fun to drive. I like the quickness of this car.

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  My First Car - 1995 Honda Accord
  By Badfish - January 9 - 2:00 am

  Im 17 years old. This was my first car i have ever owned and i absolutely love it. Compared to other 4cly. this has a lot of power. I am currently fixing it up. I have a new AEM cold air intake, Hayame exhaust, and lots of accesories. I get tons of complements on how nice it is. It still runs like its brand new and performs like a pure sports car.

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  Sub Compact Star! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By R Rimel - January 8 - 9:26 pm

  Excellent powertrain design. Honda engines are classy. At 60mph tach reading only 1900rpm! Best 4cyl eng around. This car is designed around aerodynamics. Even the underbody has several panels for aero drag reduction. Windshield rake is extreme, but effective. Honda knows aero drag reduction calls for radical styling, but I like it. Noticing alot of people looking twice at this car. I love the digital speedo up high at base of windshield, so easy to track your velocity w/o taking your eyes off road, very HUD-like. Tilt/telescope str whl & racheting driver seat great for adj to differing driver sizes. Like location of park brake lever away from console. Road noise low, some tire noise only.

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  Cant Lose With A Honda Civic - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Abraham White - January 8 - 8:36 pm

  The wife and I had our hearts set on a Toyota Corolla. We test drove one, sat down to negotiate the price, the salesman was playing their games so out of spite I told him we were going to go to Honda. We did, and test drove the Civic, out of spite, but fell in love with it. Better handling than Corolla, better stereo system, much more comfortable ride, less road noise, and better overall fit and finish. And best of all to the wife, it was better priced than a comparably equipped Corolla. After all it was Consumer Reports Car of the year in 2003 or 2004 I cant quite recall but you can look it up. Cheers.

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  Beware of Brake Problems!!! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Mike - January 8 - 7:16 pm

  Purchased the vehicle new and within 2 months I had to replace the front & back rotors and pads. Since then I have had to replace the rear pads every 25K miles.

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  Pulls to the Left - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By giantman - January 8 - 6:46 pm

  The car tends to pull to the left on the highway. This makes it less than comfortable to drive long distances and rather unsafe. Otherwise, interior and exterior design are solid.

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  Four Civic Lessons - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Larry Y. - January 8 - 7:21 am

  We, my wife and I have always drove Hondas. This is our fourth iteration of the Civic. Test drove the EX-T 1.5L Turbo and the one we settled on was the 2.0 EX Sedan. To tell you the truth, not a huge difference in acceleration and performance between the 1.5T and 2.0. Just a 1mpg difference between the two engines. The 2.0 accelerates well from a stop as well as on the freeway and passing maneuvers. Never worried about merging with traffic, CVT performs well and always in the correct ratio when needed. Even in ECO mode, performance is diminished some, but transmission/engine will engage when needed for passing etc. The 7.0" Center Dash Digital Display takes a while to understand. A little slow on input response, but works fine. Cloth interior on center console, and armrests etc. gets soiled very easily and material feels a bit flimsy. Not sure how well it will hold up, time will tell. From our first CVCC, to our 1988, then 2002, to our current 2017. Lesson learned, always stick with an reliable, well engineered car! Wife loves it...oh btw, we purchased the white orchid pearl color, nice...

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  s2000 unbeatable fun at $32,000 - 2002 Honda S2000
  By z2000 - January 8 - 2:00 am

  if you are over 6 2" this would be the only reason not to purchase this vehicle.Give Honda credit-the are putting together a 4 cylinder car that puts out approx 250hp can outperform the Audi TT-stay with the Boxter-and the z3 and Z4-all for much less$-The car takes some used to because this baby is just starting to warm up at 6to 7000 rpm where most others are fading