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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  Low Mileage - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Joan - July 9 - 2:00 am

  The sport model with the larger wheels is so low you will hit concrete parking slabs and curbs. Since the front end slopes down, it is impossible to see or judge just where the front end is. Also I am getting much lower mileage-averaging 27 mpg if I coast a lot and never tromp on gas pedal and I use A/C at all times. The car is very nice looking with an exceptional interior and comfortable seats. The paint is very shiny but seems to scratch very easy or I didnt see the scratches when I bought it because it was sunny and car shiny. I wait to hit a pot hole or speed bump too fast and take off the sport attachment to the front bumper. Other than the above I really like the car and interior room.

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  I have a Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By MIke - July 8 - 10:36 am

  Love it. The fit. Only down part was long drives on Interstate. This is not a highway car. City traffic, parking, driving the kid to school. I can fit skis in back. Good traction.

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  Hondas were better in 2000, behind in 2015 - 2015 Honda Accord
  By cc - July 8 - 7:44 am

  Most buy Hondas and Toyotas for their reliability, as did I in 1991 and 2000 with two civics. However this 2015 Accord stopped in traffic (local) due to some kind of engine problem with my wife driving... less than 10k on the odometer, so the repairs were done by dealer. But day in and day out the ride comfort is really bothersome and dangerous: the rear suspension is too stiff without load, and too springy with 3 passengers. The rear transmits any sharp bumps on the road as an uncomfortable hit to the back. The comfort issue disappears when fully loaded with passengers, however driving at high speed on a toll road (241) at around 75mph, when the car drove over a gentle bump the car was almost airborne scaring all of us, but it maintained course.

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  mileage wrong--84 mpg - 2002 Honda Insight
  By Rob Fenwick - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Drive from Southern Maryland to Northern VA everyday to work. Great commuter car. Advertised at 61-70 mpg but my lifetime mpg is 84. Mileage always better in warmer weather, but Im not sure why. 75 miles 1 way, and over 35k per year. Already over 60k miles. My guess is this baby will go well over 200k during its lifetime.

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  Best all around roadster - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Starpaf - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Amazing drive, best cornering on the market, best shifting on the market and basically loads of fun...the downfall...do not drive more than 2 hours...tires wear quick...very quick!

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  Great Performance Car w/ no frills - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Borteg - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I gave it 10s on everything except interior design and comfort. If youre over 5 8" and over 160 pounds, it will be a tight and short fit, but well worth the snugness and shortened visual height (w/ top up). Wish it had seat height adjustment. No need to repeat what everyone has said about the remarkable engine and even more remarkable body and handling characteristics. A pleasure to drive, and I love blowing away BMW Z3s, M Roadsters, Audii TTs, and Porsche Boxsters (including the Boxster S!). Unbelievable peformance value, but need to find an honest dealer. Bought mine for 2K over MSRP last year.

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  honda cr-v - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By ec - July 7 - 3:33 pm

  We bought our CR-V in January, after driving a van for eight years. I really like the size of the vehicle. I needed something that was big enough to haul things like 50 lb bags of animal feed and a bale of hay once in awhile, and it can. We also needed a vehicle that got good gas mileage. This vehicle has met all our needs for hauling and I gets between 25-31 mpg. per tank. If I set the cruise control and then decel a bit, I get the best mileage. The only thing that I miss about the van is the cushy ride. The CR-V has a stiff ride, no luxury . Air conditioner works well on 100 degree days. The hitch can haul a small trailer, also the rack is good for camping and kayak . Overall very happy.

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  2002 CRV - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By jke4man - July 7 - 2:23 pm

  The new CRV is a great small SUV it drives just like a car and is incredibly versatile. The CRV also gets its peak torque early so it pulls through all the gears.

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  Great value, great car! - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Los Angeleno - July 7 - 8:23 am

  After looking at the 2005 Honda Accord, I checked out the CTS Caddy, the Toyota Camry, Acura TSX and a few others. The Accord gave best bang for the buck! Great car. Got the EX with leather and Nav, and now wouldnt get another car without a Nav system. I love it! Love the voice control, which controls not only nav feature but radio, air conditioning, XM radio, etc. Even tells you the time! Smooth ride, excellent finish, overall just a joy to ride.

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  2017 Honda Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By makecues - July 6 - 10:52 pm

  The 2017 Ridgeline has nice engineered features , but many aspects are very poor . Ride and handling , as well as performance for what it is are good . Materials are very cheap , poor quality on seats and interior trim . The plastics used in this vehicle are not durable and the finish deteriorates quickly . The exterior trim plastic as well is cheap and fragile ... Less than a year old it has faded and begun to get chalky . Wheel well plastic trim is loose which will top dirt and rot out the panels quickly . Service department explanation was thats the way it is ... hmmm ... working on your own vehicle is a pain , oil filter is in worst position possible , drop anything at the front of engine compartment , say goodbye unless you want to spend hours removing shielding ! Fairly nice concept from Honda but poorly executed and with very little support from the aftermarket . The first impression from many will be to the positive but if you look at the details , its not a good value ...MHO