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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  THE BEST CAR ON THE World !!! - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Todor - July 11 - 4:56 pm

  THE BEST CAR ON THE World !!!

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  This is the real thing - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Badguy23 - July 11 - 1:00 pm

  The Honda Civic Hybrid is Comfortable bu maintains a sporty feel. The fuel mpg was only 36.6 while breaking in but into a head wind for 330 miles the mpg was 46.6 and returning home for the same didtance with no wind either way the mpg jumped to 50.3. And heres the best part, the manual Hybrid was $20350 vs the prius @ 23400 for the same features. A no brainer cuzz the $3000 will pay for the gas for the life of the car. Am I happy I bought it? You BET. I got mine.

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  old style, but great minivan - 1997 Honda Odyssey
  By lsulance - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Very well built. Great gas mileage. Holds six 6 ft. people easily. Built on Accord platform, so its like a car on steroids. Rear A/C a plus. Interior very similar to new style Odyssey, but a little smaller in scale. Made two 12 hr. trips and was very comfortable. 4 cylinder engine makes it a little more difficult to pass on the interstate b/c of the weight of the van. When will Honda make a comfortable place to rest your arm on the door. Not enough padding on the door armrest. 2002 has the same problem.

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  2001 Honda 2000S - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Abbottr - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Great fun drive, go kart handling, most comfortable sports car ever driven. Closest Ill get to Formula 1!!! Great value for money. Outperforms overpriced/overhyped Boxter and ugly sedate Z3.

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  Juuuuust Right - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By RayG - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a leftover with an internet special at a good price. That was in Oct 01, since then, not a lick of trouble. Just about the perfect size for us. Easy to park on our local city streets AND fits into our rented garage. Good mileage- just about 24- 26mpg of mixed city/mostly highway. Its great to be able to carry golf clubs AND passengers which was a bit tough in the old Neon.

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  Only had this a couple of weeks but I love it! - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Elizabeth Wallman - July 10 - 7:37 pm

  The touring is a great little car, for the short time I have had it. The only thing I dont like is with the all touch panel it is not easy to change the volume of the radio without inadvertently changing something else.

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  Only had this a couple of weeks but I love it! - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Elizabeth Wallman - July 10 - 7:37 pm

  The touring is a great little car, for the short time I have had it. The only thing I dont like is with the all touch panel it is not easy to change the volume of the radio without inadvertently changing something else.

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  I love my Element! - 2005 Honda Element
  By MK - July 10 - 3:53 pm

  The thing I love most about my Element is that its so unique. There are no other SUVs out there that even compare to the Element, inside or out. It drives great and corners very well for an SUV. Its extremely spacious without being too plain. It has so many accesories you can get to personalize your Element to fit your lifestyle. Its really an SUV that will do anything you want it to do, be anything you want it to be. Whether its hauling people from place to place or using it as a tent, it does all things well!

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  road noise - 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By dummy1234 - July 10 - 12:07 pm

  the crosstour base ex with 17 inch wheels had quite a bit of road noise on I-95 at speed. otherwise best driving crossover ive driven.

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  Living on past reputation! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Tony A - July 10 - 6:17 am

  Ex Honda mechanic. Always owned Hondas, but not any more. The top 2 complaints: Transmission & Paint. The transmissions 1st shift when cold: Shifts late and bangs, but only 1 time per day (the 1st shift only) Also, at 40-50 mph low rpm theres a loud shuttering noise (dealer said its a known problem with their torque converters, but no snapshot code was detected so its within specs). And, driving in stop and go traffic. Load clunking noise from the transmission banging in and out of gear (sounds like loud differential backlash). But Honda says its all within specs because no code was detected!!! The paint! Right away I started noticing the paint chipping really bad on the front end. And then the roof clear coat starting burning through (looks like little white spots that wont clean off). The dealer flat out told me Im not the only one with this complaint, and that Honda is using very little paint on their vehicles to save costs. I can clearly see the primer through the paint on the pillars when I open the doors in the direct light. Other problems: The navigation locks up. but, if I pull over and restart the car it works fine. The starter started grinding once a month. I replaced it after it started grinding every week. Both outside mirrors vibrate at freeway speeds (I havent replaced yet). Needless to say...with 70, 000 miles its up for sale. My last car was a 2007 4dr V6. I sold it with 200k. It had paint problems too, but trans was fine. Even the service advisors will tell you that Honda is living off of its past reputation! I bought as a certified pre-owned with 24k miles. Btw, the trunk gap was way out and the dealer couldnt adjust it to make it even close to normal. Said they would need to heat up the springs so I said pass. Then I found out these cars were build in Mexico! ??? Really