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:

• 

  Insight Defines High Performance. - 2000 Honda Insight
  By Dolio - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I have been Driving my Honda Insight for almost a year now. Bought it used at 15K, now at 30K I average about 55 mpg as I am a rather aggressive driver and traffic here in the Seattle area can be quite "parking lotish". The Insight is quite capable of achieving 70 mpg if you are willing to drive the speed limit and keep an eco-minded feather light foot. When talking performance the Insight employs a number of advanced technologies, from the "Integrated Motor Assist" and regen breaking, to the aluminum chassis, and the lowest drag coefficient (.25) of any mass production car.

• 

  Honda Insight - 2002 Honda Insight
  By Rick Reece - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for over a year and have found it to be both fun to own and drive. It is without a doubt the most interesting and satisfying of any new car that I have ever purchased.

• 

  New Honda Civic 2005 EX - 2005 Honda Civic
  By christy - April 21 - 6:30 am

  I traded my 04 XLT Explorer for better gas mileage in the Honda.Its a great car for 1-2 med. adults & 1-2 small children.Great for running to the store on short trips.Coming from the room of the Explorer it is a "cute" box on wheels.More than 2 adults and 1-2 small children,you are cramped! Not much leg room in the back seat.Large trunk is great,just dont think you can buy all the same stuff you did if you had a larger vehicle,you will be sorry.This car is not for people with back problems..stick to the ones with the lumbar included.It is a compact car, great gas mileage and realiabilty, fun to drive for 1 person,but for comfort and room, NOPE!Keep a nice SUV for comfort and long trips!!

• 

  A Classic Si - 1994 Honda Civic
  By BigJim - April 21 - 2:00 am

  The baddest car of all times

• 

  Reliable CRV - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By sbatters - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my CRV for over 4 years and have not had a sinlge problem. It runs and drives great. The only problem Ive had is I ran over a nail and had to get it plugged. Other than that no problems.

• 

  Performance value - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Jess - April 21 - 1:27 am

  The car is amazing. It still turns heads a year later. In 2015 the Si was the best bang for your buck. 205 horsepower out of a naturally aspirated engine. While other cars in the class can put perform they are forced induction cars, the Si is not. They are also 4 grand more than the Civic Si. Which is the price you would pay for am aftermarket turbo. The interior is really nice, it stands out. At first the red and black seats in a car that is neither red or black, didnt seem to fit, but I wouldnt change them for a different color. The steering is smooth, the shifter is smooth. Lane watch is amazing, more cars should have it. It helps prevent accidents I can see cars that I might have not seen otherwise.

• 

  one of the worst vehicle purchases I ever made - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Edgar S. - April 20 - 10:56 pm

  Having owned Honda vehicles the past few years, 1996 accord , 2000 CRV. I thought the quality will stay the same if not a little better. I was dead wrong. I have low standards, however, I got this car for my daughter, thinking that Honda reliability will make us be worry free for the next few years. First issue, front windshield blurry in the bottom inch before the dashboard, hey, what can you do , its not perfect, its a $21000 dollar vehicle, not gonna bring it to the dealership to replace it, we can live with that. Second issue , no engine temperature gauge, I mean come on now, how hard can it be for Honda to put that in, okay , I guess we can just get a scan gauge to remedy the issue. Third issue, its been raining here in Los Angeles, the past few days, and guess what? the rear passenger side has some leaks ,primarily the seat belt is soaking wet, aside from that the trunk has leaks too, in the same side. I mean, wow , this is supposed to be Honda...what happened to your quality control.?Ive only had the HRV for 6 months, at 6300 miles, garage kept . pampered and babied like my other old Hondas..Now I have to bring it the dealerships here in L.A. Im not sure how long they will fix it or not and they might not even offer a loaner car, I think, hope im wrong ...what a disappointment. Imagine the molds that may be in those wet areas ...Now im stuck with this HRV, cant wait to get rid of it....

• 

  Overall Very Solid Vehicle - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Jake427 - April 20 - 8:33 pm

  Purchased Accord Feb 2008 V6 EX Cloth interior. Overall, it has been a very satisfying vehicle. I have 19K miles on it after a year. I really like the power of the V6. Very peppy engine. I have not experienced any mechanical issues thus far. I change the oil and perform the scheduled maintenance. I find the interior comfortable for short and long trips. My wife does say the vehicle is not as comfortable for long trips as other cars weve owned. A couple of downsides. The headlights arent as bright as I would like. This should be fixed. Also, when the passenger windows are down but not the front windows, it creates a very strange frequency that hurts the ears. Overall a very good car.

• 

  Best CRV since 2004 - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Bill - April 20 - 2:43 pm

  I had to sell my 2004 CRV AWD with less than 20k miles, since health issues made it difficult to use the clutch in the 5-speed. That car was one of the best Ive ever owned - virtually nothing went wrong with it, aside from a few recalled, all it needed was oil and gas, and you were good to go. I truly enjoy the 2015 CRV Touring replacement - the electronics, the audio sound, noise suppression, the ride - everything except the rumble at 1200 rpm, and the fact that they got rid of the flip up back window. Luckily the way I drive I dont dwell at this rpm, so the vibration is just a minor annoyance. Without the flip back window, I cant carry long stuff in the back - like long boards, garden tools, my lawn mower, and stuff the wife buys that comes in long boxes. Cant say it too much, I really enjoy this car.

• 

  Big Step Up From My 2001 Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Steve - April 20 - 10:40 am

  I traded in my 2001 EX with 55,000 miles for the new 2005 Touring. The old van served me well, but the 2005 is light years ahead. The power,ride,handling,and transmission are all much improved in the next generation. It will be hard to improve on this Odyssey any time soon.