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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  Awesome Car! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By lilnattiel - September 23 - 10:00 am

  I have only had my car for a short time, but from the time that I have had with my Honda, I find myself loving it more and more everyday. I would recommend this car for anyone, especially anyone who travels a lot, b/c this car is GREAT on gas.

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  Wishful thinking. - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By tom - September 23 - 1:06 am

  I live and drive in San Francisco. Our streets are not the best. We have lots of hills, stop signs, and untimed traffic lights. I guess none of this is taken into account when "they" calculate the city mpg. With about 80% city and 20% highway driving, Im getting, with a very light foot, about 17 mpg. The turning radius is a bit too much for easy U-type-turns. The rear window is too high for easy backing into my downhill garage. Road noise at freeway speed is a bit too loud. I expected better.

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  Great buy for your $$$ - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By john - September 22 - 8:38 pm

  We purchased this car 0 miles, today the odometer reads 155,000, besides regular maintenance (brakes oil, gas!) this car has given us no problems. Its true what they say the car does not have a lot of power on the road but it drives great, its very spacious inside, it drives great in snow, and you cant beat the gas mileage. My wife loves it so much we are trading in for another CR-V and we hope we enjoy it for many more years.

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  All that its cracked up to be. - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Tom - September 22 - 1:48 pm

  I have put on 50000 miles and am extremely satisfied. This truck is well engineered, runs flawlessly, and has features not found in any other competitor. Mileage is 20+ average and the fit and finish are superb. I have had no mechanical issues.

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  I love it! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Stabi - September 22 - 10:24 am

  I have had this car for three thousand miles and I love it! The shifts are always smooth, has adequate pickup in low rpm range if you want to get good gas mileage, but stomp down on the gas and you really go! Disappointed with quality of peripherals. Bought the car used with 53k, after 1k miles needed a new idler pulley. Fixed the idler pulley and they told me that the tensioner pulley bearing is going bad too. Not to mention spending 10 hours getting my third gear fixed. While I did that I had to get my sun visor replaced ($75) it was falling apart. All in the first month of my owning (53-54k miles).

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  Oh, YEAH! - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Dennis - September 22 - 9:50 am

  This was my first compact car, kind of felt like I was down grading, but WOW!, this car packs a whole lot of punch! I love this car! This is by far, the most fun to drive car Ive driven. Great on gas mileage and it has all the bells and whistles you can ask for in a luxury car. I suggest if youre in the market for a compact car, DEFINITELY consider the Honda Civic!

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  Wonderful car! - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Charles - September 22 - 4:00 am

  I have been a loyal Toyota owner since 1996, but I bought my first Honda because of its clever interior and nice exterior design. It is much quieter in the Civic EX cabin than in the Prius or Corolla cabin. I love the split dash display, the extra storage nooks on the dash and center console, the large windshield. The ride is wonderfully smooth and quiet. I also love the speed-sensitive volume control. The small storage spot under the heater control was just perfect for my Sirius radio, and I love the auxiliary input below the 12-volt outlet. My only real disappointment is the low fuel efficiency. With my Tercel, I was getting 42 mpg composite. With the Civic EX, I get only 33 mpg.

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  Just about everything I was looking for in a SUV - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Myla - September 21 - 5:14 pm

  Great little SUV that meets all my need. I was looking for a reasonably priced SUV with AWD and good fuel economy and the HR-V fits the bill. Most SUVs are too large and heavy which results in poorer MPG and often more expensive when equipped with options and AWD. I wasnt looking for something with a lot of power since I dont tow or haul a lot of stuffs nor do I drive very aggressively. Within my price range. Plenty of features. Excellent MPG. Very spacious for this compact segment. Hondas legendary reliability with a proven 1.8L Civic engine and CVT transmission. AWD traction for extra assurance in bad weather. I am not an off-roader, so I dont really need a very sophisticated AWD.

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  Wow, this is a great car - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Edwin - September 21 - 5:08 pm

  I have only had this Fit for a month or so and so far it is a great car. I bought it during the "Cash for Clunkers program" and I can notice the gas mileage improvement. So far my average since I bought it is 37.5 MPG. I love the way the back seats fold down. They fold down flat. The sound system is the best Ive ever had. Enough said. So far I love it.

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  A lot of car for the money - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Bernadette Tornabene - September 21 - 3:56 pm

  I went from a 98 Windstar to this. I have to admit, I miss the smooth ride of my van versus this more "truck-like" ride. Acceleration is SO much better than that old V6, though, and I have feeling its going to be that way for a long time.