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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  Best All Round Midsize Sdn - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Protein - October 30 - 10:00 am

  Drove most cars in this class before buying Accord. Conservative exterior, but classy. Roomy interior has superior quality, more cubbyhole room than I know what to do with. Man trans performs better than the AT, smoother than other cars. Solid ride, little body roll in turn/brake. Ride is comfy enough for my wife to like(not an easy task). It has more engine noise than Taurus. Price($18K) is the best for what I want. Sad that a similar Camry cost more than the Taurus I liked. MPG is supreme. Engine performance better than Altima 2.5S (ease/broader range of power). New 4cyl better than previous Accords

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  Oye Lo - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Jenifer Garcia - October 30 - 3:05 am

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  Would buy again - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bucky Badger - October 29 - 11:03 pm

  I do everything with my ridgeline that I need to like haul yard waste, trips to Home Depot, Highway trips, visits to construction sites AND tow trailers. Its road manners are 1st place for a pickup. While I havent buried it in mud yet;It got an A+ from me during the last few snow storms in Wisconsin. The VSA kept me going staright down the road even on ice (nice) Interior is perfect for tall people. At 6-2 250 I have plenty of room. The front seats are just fine for 4.5hour drives. And the stereo has plenty of clarity and punch (especially with the Ipod link) With towing&hauling I have yet to want more power. I put 600lbs of soil in the back and it handled like there was none.

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  The Green Machine - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Paul F. Lintelman - October 29 - 10:06 pm

  I do not miss my 5 speed manual Accord. This automatic keeps me busy, watching all the readouts, trying to maximize my fuel efficiency, while reducing global warming. Driving has almost become like land surfing, using the topography to propel as much as possible before applying the pedal. Its surprising how many times the hare and the turtle (Hybrid) end up in the same place at the same time. I save my brakes, am less likely to get into a serious accident not to mention less pollution in the atmosphere and the obvious saving the ever increasing dollars at the pump.

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  2016 Odyssey SE is the Best Minivan Money Can Buy! - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Tom Bao - October 29 - 2:19 pm

  2016 Odyssey SE is a great buy because it includes the cool features, such as built-in vacuum cleaner and DVD entertainment system, that were only previously available on the higher-end Odyssey models that cost thousands of dollars more. We were able to get this nice vehicle for $1100 below the dealers invoice price. Honda financing of 0.9% for 60 months and the free life-time powertrain warranty make our purchase of the SE so much sweeter!

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  i love my Accord! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Ramona - October 29 - 12:50 pm

  I recently traded my 2002 ford focus in for a Honda Accord Coupe. This car is GREAT! Everything is perfect. I just put it on the highway this weekend and its performance was amazing! Im loving it :)

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  Fun - but caution to night drivers - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Drew from Santa Cruz - October 29 - 11:00 am

  A substantial upgrade from my 03 Civic Hybrid passed to my daughter. Redesign mostly positive: feels MUCH roomier for 6 driver, much sportier look/feel, and seemingly better pick-up than the 03. Fuel mileage still a work in progress - so far around 40. One MAJOR redesign FLAW is the dash/front end. You cant see past the windshield up front for parking, and passgr side of dash will just collect dust. More importantly, if you drive in DARK areas (rural, coastal, etc) at night, there is a glare on the drivers windshield from the dual layer display - VERY distracting. I do a lot of driving under those conditions, and this could be a MAJOR ISSUE for me! NOT an issue if not completely dark

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  Hrvalicious - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Felicia Edwards - October 28 - 9:26 am

  I love it!

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  Love the Car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By MJ - October 28 - 8:36 am

  Just bought it and took it on a road trip. Car performed great and had great gas mileage (35 mpg at 80 mph). It was comfortable and had plenty of room for my wife and daughter. Great car!!

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  Headrests Very Uncomfortable! - 2009 Honda Accord
  By PaulaK - October 28 - 2:03 am

  Im having the hardest time with these seats. The leather is not soft at all, the seats dont warm up that much, but MOST OF ALL.....the headrests lean tooooo much forward!! I feel so uncomfortable riding in it. I had to pull them all the way up so I could sit back comfortable.