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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  Efficiency? - 2005 Honda Accord
  By mky05 - November 17 - 11:06 pm

  Our initial reaction to this car has been serious disappointment at the poor fuel economy. After 8k miles were averaging slightly over 26mpg, certainly nothing impressive. On a positive note the car is quite fast and a serious improvement for day to day driving when compared to the early model prius and insight weve also owned. Still we bought it with expectations itd be fuel efficient for our mostly highway driving. It hasnt lived up. Prius in the future

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  I love my Honda - 2005 Honda Accord
  By jpf26 - November 17 - 7:43 pm

  This is the first time I have ever owned a Honda. I have to say that I am very happy with my Accord. I love it! It has good fuel economy and a lot of power when you need it. The navigation system is excellent, voice command is excellent as well. I will never own another car with out voice command navigation. The Accord is very roomy, very comfortable, it is extremely quiet inside the car too. I noticed this over several other cars that I test drove.

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  Best caar evet - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Anna - November 17 - 6:34 pm

  As long as u do all the required maintenance she will last ! My old besty will be 20 years old next year. I plan to drive her till she drops...

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  First SUV - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By B. J. Miller - November 17 - 7:35 am

  Chosen for reliability and safety rating.

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  I Love My Passport - 2002 Honda Passport
  By SUVLover - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven my passport for a long time now. No problems and its been incredible to drive. Smooth, powerful engine, looks great and handles like a sports car

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  2017 Ridgeline Ups and Downs - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Rick Perkins - November 17 - 1:36 am

  If you need a hauling vehicle that you dont mind using on a first date, the Ridgeline wont disappoint you. If you are a previous Ridgeline owner, you might have to overlook a few changes. Im not going into the technical specs. Trading in my silver 2008 RTL for a white 2017 RTL-T last month, Im still making some adjustments. Navigation and electronics: big upgrade. Little changes: Lock placement on glove compartment- Great; change in placement of rear sliding window-Bad (I did not get sliding window on my truck). Biggest adjustment: moving shifter from steering column to floor console eliminates several interior storage compartments that proved very useful in my 2008 truck. Biggest disappointment: I expected a better increase is gas mileage. My wifes hybrid makes me look like Im a gas guzzler. Most unique feature is still the "under the bed trunk". This feature, along with the comfortable interior and overall Honda quality, eliminated the competition for me.

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  Guzzle Guzzle - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By hbhonda99 - November 16 - 5:16 am

  EPA 23 to 27? Was that measured while going straight down hill? Combined freeway and street driving is 19 mpg and that was with the cruise control while on the freeway. Hitting reset after tanking up then driving 10 miles in town displayed 15 MPG, about the same as my 4200 pound VW Vanagon and not even close to a 2001 C280 Mercedes 6 or a BMW 325 6 cyl, both German cars get from 25 to 34 mpg on the freeway. This reminds me, it did get 27 mpg on the freeway but that ended when the first hill was approached, then engine shifted and spun up to 5,000 rpm and the MPG display crashed to the low teens. Sorry Honda, but this is no gas miser, it guzzles!

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  EX in this case is not Extra eXpensive! - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Timbo - November 16 - 1:12 am

  Great car! I really wanted the Honda Pilot in white, I just couldnt afford it. So I settled for the CRV, and, of course, the dealer didnt have white, but thats ok - I didnt care for the white exterior/beige interior color scheme and the black on black that I ended up with is really great. I love the ride, LOVE the right-turn & backup camera, and there is just so much room! I also love the fact that I can send and receive texts from my phone over the Bluetooth connection. That makes the car so great for commuting.

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  Alaska Accord - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Maximum Accord - November 15 - 11:16 pm

  Love it! This WAS my first Honda. My wife and I commute 50 miles one way to work and have already racked up 20000 miles since May 2005. Best handling car Ive driven in the snow and ice. We are so happy with the Accord we bought two used Hondas since this purchase. A 97 Hatchback Civic for my 16 yr old daughter and a 91 Prelude for myself. Both have 100K on the odometer and run great. IM SOLD!!!!!!!!

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  Seriously Indulging - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Si Senor - November 15 - 9:43 pm

  Bought this car a little over a year ago. Still just as pleased as I was then as I am now. Car drives very well for the function that it serves, can be driven as a fuel efficient commuter or racy sports car. I, on avg, get about 24-27 MIXED mpg and when driving more conservatively I can get this up to 31-32 mpg, believe it or not. As almost everyone else says, this car is fun to drive and master. The engine note at 6000 RPMS is really cool to hear, really feels as if youre driving a more exotic sports car. In this price point some of these features are hard to beat. I drove this car to its limits after the break in period and still enjoy doing so, though not as often, fuel efficiency. :)