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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  6 Repairs and counting - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Petri - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I loved this car when I bought it but the past year has been one repair after another. I started having problems at 5,000 miles and the car has been in the shop 6 times in all. Some of the problems have been minor but still serious enough to take the car in for repairs. The rotars got replaced at 7,000 miles and repaired again at 14,000. Well see if the pattern hold and it goes in at 21k. The car is in the shop today and the dealer has a list of about 6 things that need fixed!

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  03 Accord V6 - 2004 Honda Accord
  By tdk1 - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Have owned several Hondas and 03 is a nice improvement over previous. Quiet and smooth ride. Transmission shifting is very smooth.

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  GREAT Value! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Hesham - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with this car ever since I saw the spy photos more than a year ago. I took it out for a test- drive and it went up and beyond my expectations. It rides like a dream and, for a 4-cylinder, its pretty quick! Its Euro-like interior and comfortable leather seats makes you feel like you got WAY more than what you paid for. If youre looking to get a car in this class, you definitely cant go wrong with the Accord. I used to own a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, Ive driven the Toyota Camry, and Ive test- driven the Mazda 6; None of them compare to the Accord.

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  Honda - 2008 Honda Accord
  By RPH - January 17 - 5:46 am

  Former Toyota owner, the Hondas fit & finish and overall quality seems to be on a higher scale. I have been very pleased by Hondas treatment after the sale by the dealer and also the factory.

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  Best In Class! - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Al Seider - January 17 - 4:02 am

  The 2016 Civic absolutely blows away all of the competition. It is an absolutely beautiful vehicle. My son leased an EX and it has exceeded all his expectations. He really wanted the EX-T (turbo) but the EX fitted his budget. The design and quality, both inside and out is a huge advancement over the previous model, and is far superior than anything else in the price range. Performance is OK from the new 2.0 liter, but obviously not as peppy as the turbo. Im a hard one to please because I drive a 2016 Maxima, and am used to having a powerful engine. The Civic is very smooth and quiet, sporty but luxurious. The only problem my son has encountered is that the Bluetooth wont maintain a connection with his Android. It pairs and works fine with my iPhone. The Civic looks and drives like a much more expensive vehicle. Honda outdid itself with the new Civic. It is in a class of its own. Funny thing, when we park the Civic next to the Maxima, they look like they are models from the same manufacturer.

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  Still ways to go Honda. - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Fernando - January 16 - 9:26 pm

  I Have a 91 CamryDX V6 with 412700 miles WOW!!That is a car,only regular service,so i decided to buy another toyota but did not liked. So I went and I purchased an ACCORD EXL 4cl. On my first fill up I drove 590 miles and the car took 17gallons of gas,of course I drove it at 55 mph for the first 3000 mies,so i am happy.The only problem I see is the Engine noise but I fixed That by changing from 87 to 93 octane and now the car is more responsive and quieter.Transmission is good and what I like is that I can shift manual just like my Camry.Only time will tell about reliability,Considering I commute 39,000 miles a year,90% Hyway driving. I do have a noise on the rear breaks.

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  Love FIT - 2007 Honda Fit
  By abeaver - January 16 - 11:26 am

  I have just gotten past the break in period and love the car even more than I anticipated. It really does feel like a 93 CRX. The interior is beautiful and, except for a temperature gauge, seems well equipped for a basic level vehicle. I havent taken any advantage of the seat configurations yet,the dog is always in the back seat, but the seats are comfortable and well made. I also tested a Yaris. I must admit that the Yaris has a sharper exterior design but the FIT is far nicer on the inside and much more fun to drive. My first calculated fuel tank got me 35 miles/US gallon.

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  This car saved my life - 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By francissp - January 16 - 9:00 am

  I love my Crosstour, sadly it gave its life to save me and a passenger. A trucked ran a red light hitting the passenger side at probably 45 mph. The car was pushed and then rolled onto a fire hydrant and 2 foot steel concrete pole. The passenger compartment protected us, Side impact airbags were deployed, front did not (as designed). Rescue services are still amazed that we suffered only bruised ribs. I have already ordered its replacement. I wish I could upload a photo.

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  Poor Mileage with New Engine - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Bryan - January 15 - 9:50 pm

  The 2005 Honda with the high efficiency engine touts 22 mpg city/28 highway is a joke. I have over 8,000 miles and the best that I can get is 16 around town and 22 on the highway. Honda has read the onboard computer and states that everything is up to specs. This is our third Odyssey and probably our last if the mileage does not improve.

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  Poor Handling - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By David - January 15 - 9:27 am

  My biggest complaint is the poor handling, very rough ride, on some surfaces it feels like the rear wheels hop over surface especially at freeway speed. At times it real feels dangerous. Road noise is high at 70mph on some surfaces you cant even carry on a conversation. At slower speeds the ride is rough. It only rides well on a very smooth surface. Fuel mileage is good for the size of vehicle. Engine performance is good for a 4 cyl. Transmission has works well. It is the base model so maybe the other models do better.