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:

• 

  Awesome - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Zoey - April 3 - 2:40 am

  This is a great van. It rides like a dream and has the foreign reliability that everyone loves without an unreasonable price tag. It is extremely convenient, esp. with the third row seat that folds flat, and it has an amazing amount of room when the 3rd row seat is up. The Odyssey has a wonderful amount of cargo space.

• 

  This car is AWESOME - 1991 Honda Civic
  By jenny - April 3 - 2:00 am

  For a single person with no children, and someone living in a city where parking is an issue, and for someone who moves a lot, this car is the best. Its fast, its small, it gets great mileage, and its totally fun to drive! I drove it up and down from San Francisco to Los Angeles dozens of times in the last 10 years, and I just feel there is no better car. As small as this car is, I can fit 4 large adults very comfortably, and 5 medium-sized adults without too much of a problem. Ive lugged tons of stuff, because the hatchback gives you a lot of space to store stuff. Also, the cloth interior after 11 years still looks like new. Finally, I can get up to 30-32 mpg.

• 

  My favorite car - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By petite-1 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  best suv for reliability, affordable and fuel efficient

• 

  Buyer Beware. - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By Nurseman - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought my CR-V for a couple reasons. Hondas name and reliability, and because I wanted an SUV with decent gas mileage. Well I had my CR-V for 3 years before the Transmission started to show problems. I spent more on maintainence than any other car I have owned. I was very dissapointed when the transmission started having trouble litterally miles after the warranty ran out. Seems to me that if Honda has such a "reliable" vehicle they would offer a better warranty. I will buy American from now on...at least when they break I can afford to fix them or find the parts to fix them myself.

• 

  A+ reliability - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By michael chang - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable Honda. drove 33k Mi without any problem. The CR-V is not really for racing or extreme off-road. Its a friendly fun SUV.

• 

  drive toyotas why not give honda a try - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By John Hotopp - April 3 - 2:00 am

  this car drags on the gear too long to get this thing moving. Also when you turn on the fan for cool vent air the a/c turns itself on when defrosting too. Passenger front seat doesnt have a power lock to match the driver side.

• 

  All others dont even come close - 1996 Honda Civic
  By Infadel74 - April 2 - 2:00 am

  The best car Ive ever owned. This car has 130,000+ miles on it and its never needed any work. Ive never had anything replaced except a muffler. Alls it needs is some regular maintenance and its ready to go.

• 

  Great Car - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By Wheeler - April 2 - 2:00 am

  I love it. This car was also a perfect fit for me. I researched for months before buying it. It is a bigger car that doesnt overwhelm you, it gets good gas milege for its size, just a really fun car to drive. Now I am about to buy a new 2002!!

• 

  The Perfect Car For Me - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Ken from Boulder - April 1 - 4:23 pm

  I jumped into the final days of the Clunker Program looking for a Prius but either the dealer stopped taking clunkers and had a car, or took clunkers but no car. I thought I was compromising when I landed an LX Insight and got rid of my 1996 GMC Yukon as a clunker. I was wrong. The Honda Insight is a consumer- specific vehicle that perfectly matches my driving parameters. Around town for errands with occasional highway driving. My family has their own cars so only in a blue moon would four passengers be riding. The vehicle is inexpensive, looks great, fun to drive, will save me a bundle on gas, its reliable, and has world class re-sale value. The perfect car for me.

• 

  Head Turner - 2004 Honda S2000
  By Carol VanDoren - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Although its the first convertible that I own I have driven several over the years. The pick up on this one is just fabulous. The look is classic sports car, no compromises. The seats are very comfortable and tuck you into the car nicely. The design & location of the radio controls is great. The car does skid when its wet so its an adjustment for me. Heats & Cools quickly!