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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  Poor milage, expensive but satisfied - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Niket - October 13 - 11:30 pm

  Mileage on the sticker is a pure lie and cheating. In growing family, the gas expense is burden now. When asked dealer, they said 16 for city and highway combined is good. Per dealer, can get sticker mileage if driven without A/C, heater, radio, navigation, DVD and at smooth 55mph. Sure, why do they have these feature than? Why are they selling in cold Chicago? If DVD has to be off, why put it in? Minor touch of metal or so creates dent due to thin paint coat. No MP3 format player, no iPod outlet for such an expensive vehicles. Does not have mileage calculator built into Nav system. Same software used in Acura and others, should have throwns into this.

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  2016 Honda HRV EXL-NAVI ( EASY RIDER ) - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Geoffrey Alford - October 13 - 3:22 pm

  Smallish, Great electronics / safety features / dash & data display, very accurate & user friendly navigation system, great fuel efficiency ( subject to driving style - I got 26 city & 36-42 hwy depending on road conditions ) small engine ok for size of car but minimal acceleration at hwy speed, lane change camera great for big city driving where fast and safe lane changes are needed.

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  Great Buy - 2007 Honda Fit
  By newfit - October 13 - 10:20 am

  I live in the desert, so I always have the air on this car is a lot less peppy with the air on. The gas mileage suffers by about 7 hwy. MPG and 5 city MPG with the 5 speed manual having the air on. I think this car would be much better with a 6 speed transmission, on the Hwy. at 80 it is running at 4,800 rpms in 5th gear. The gas mileage is still great just not as great as I had dreamed about.

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  The Incredible Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Robert - October 13 - 6:03 am

  I could not be happier with my new Ridgeline, the features in this truck outperform any other truck on the market.

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  Great so far - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Romano - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful car. Have recieved more looks and inquirires about this vehicle than any other car Ive ever owned

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  Spend lots of time test driving - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Swede78 - October 12 - 11:00 pm

  My wife, mom, brother, and friend all have Civics. They all praise how great they are. So, after almost 10 years of driving my Dodge Neon (which had been great, but didnt want to push my luck and needed a change), I decided to get a Civic. I love the styling inside and out. So, my heart was set on a Civic, but I wish I test drove the one I bought a little more. Overall, I still like it, but Ive had it in the shop a couple times due to strong pulling to the right. Its better, but still seems very sensitive to the road. Neon went straight forever. Also, theres a slight throttle hesitation when you take off from an (almost) stop. Otherwise, drive is smooth, avg 35 mpg, now @ 2000 mi.

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  Great Car - New and Improved Version - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Diane James - October 12 - 11:13 am

  This Accord has a smoother ride since the tires are 16" instead of 15" that were on my 2006 Accord. It sold me on it during the test drive. The 2017 Accord is a new, improved version of the 2006 model. The interior has been updated and the styling is much more attractive. It came in a pearl white which I love. Over all, it is very nice. I love it!

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  A Benchmark - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Adam0331 - October 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought it as a returned lease vehicle namely going off Hondas reputation and havent been dissapointed. Other than fixing the front wheel bearings (previous owner abuse problem) the car has been 100%. Would like a more sporty version w/4 doors. Looking to upgrade to the Acura TL Type S.

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  Simply the best bang for your buck! - 1998 Honda Accord
  By freddiemac - October 12 - 10:00 am

  Over 5 years now and absolutely zero problems (not that I expected any). Just change the gas, oil, and take it in for routine maintenance and it goes and goes. The steering seems just as tight as when it was new. and I really dont know what more you could ask for from a V4. The interior, exterior, and performance have not lost a beat from the day it rolled off the lot. I could not recommend another car more enthusiastically.

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  Rattle box - 2003 Honda Element
  By Drduer - October 12 - 10:00 am

  Very appealing design, very spacious interior in spite of small exterior package. Noisy inside, persistant dash rattles. Seating position uncomfortable for smaller drivers. Owned the Element for six weeks - it was in the shop for three weeks for dash rattles - old rattles mostly fixed, not eliminated, and new rattles created. Traded in on an 03 CR-V, very happy with the CR-V. If youre interested in an Element, do yourself a favor and test drive both the Element and a CR-V before making a decision.