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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  Owned 4 years - 2007 Honda Accord
  By jeancarol45 - December 16 - 10:18 am

  I am very happy with my Honda. I have 22,000 miles on it, and it has been perfect. I plan on keeping it for many years. I owned my last Honda Accord 17 years.

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  Transmission!!!!!!!! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By sweetpea2009 - December 15 - 6:35 pm

  I have a 2004 Honda Accord EX-L w/ Navigation. This is the 2nd Honda I have owned and I still owe $6,100 on it and it is sitting in a transmission shop right now :( And my quote is $3,000 to fix it. The car is only 6 years old and only has 144,000 miles on and the transmission goes out, there is something wrong with hondas Transmissions and to keep there customers happy they need to make good on their product . I really used to love Hondas but not anymore, I have changed my mind and to anyone that is getting a review on this car before you buy it, I would say that it is not a good investment and I just would not do it, I would look at a Toyota before you go this route!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Do NOT buy! Poor design, not worth the money - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By purdue_flunkie - December 14 - 4:10 pm

  Car has serious engine problems. Idle is very rough and you can feel vibrations transferring to the steering wheel. Problem occurs when the engine is fully warmed up and idle drops to 700 rpm. There is an unstable operating point which causes engine to resonate. I tested 3 different vehicles and all of them have this issue. This is clearly a design flaw and Honda refuses to acknowledge existence of the problem. Every time you stop at the light, you can feel vibrations like you sitting in an old American car.

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  very pleasantly surprised - 2011 Honda Accord
  By algary - December 14 - 11:31 am

  Based on the reviews I was surprised how quiet it is. Perhaps the active noise cancellation in the EX trim helps. Certainly quieter that the previous model series. The ride is very composed and smooth despite quite aggressive tires. Very solid feel. The 2011 front fascia looks much improved over the 2010. The overall styling is fine. The Hyundai, although a very good car, seems overstyled to me. All our previous Hondas were incredibly reliable and were fun to drive.

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  SAFETY IS GOOD - 2010 Honda Fit
  By colette51 - December 13 - 10:46 pm

  I had a head-on accident with a large truck doing 35 to 40 MPH in my 2009 Honda Fit. I came out of the accident with only bruising from the seat belts, and a cracked sternum (breastbone). The air bags worked the way they were supposed to. Family members who saw the actual damage and a friend who saw pics of the car damage are amazed I was not killed in the accident. I am now looking for another Honda Fit. I strongly recommend it for safety, as well as all other categories.

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  Love it! - 2011 Honda Accord
  By cntenn - December 13 - 8:30 pm

  I have only had this car a little over a week but I love it. We have previously owned a CR-V, Civic, and Accord Sedan so we are Honda people. When it was time to purchase a new car, we wanted something reliable, fun, and sporty. The Honda Accord Coupe V6 fit the bill and it comes with great gas mileage too! It is fun to drive and I know that it will give us the reliability that we were looking for.

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  Great Automobile - 1996 Honda Accord
  By mlstove - December 11 - 1:22 pm

  Bought the car with 28K miles in 2000 and still drive this car daily with now 228K!! In fact, the car went the past two years without anything but oil changes until it was time to replace the timing belt again. It is amazing the clutch hasnt needed replaced, nor has any other major item engine wise other than a starter over the years. CV joints went out at 180K, and the wheel bearings are getting close now. My wife drives and 07 sedan and my stock radio is a nicer system. I think the brakes on this car are better than the 07! And it survived a collision with a 6-point buck this year and all I needed was a headlight and a hood!

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  great budget car - 1994 Honda Civic
  By rodmanzer - December 10 - 3:22 am

  I purchased this car in 2009 with 149,900 miles. The paint was original but the clear was coming off and the color was fading. It came with all new belts,hoses,radiator, ignition wires that I can see. It is an automatic with A/C and power steering. Disappointed no anti lock brakes they were an option.It runs perfect and a year later still does, it burns the normal amount of oil all engines do no matter the miles. It is a gutless wonder, rids like crud and you have to punch it just to get going but it gets great gas mileage and is very reliable. I worked for Honda in the service department so I knew what to get as a economy car used and I like to buy American GMs they are great too.

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  GREAT CAR - 2010 Honda Accord
  By bolivero25 - December 9 - 7:03 pm

  This car is wonderful. I bought it brand new about 2 months ago. So far so good. Engine is strong for a 4-cylinder. The seats are a little bit uncomfortable, but you eventually get use to them. For the most part it is fun to drive. The V-6 must be amazing. Honda has one of the strongest re-sale values, so thats a plus. It gets you from point A to Point B with a sense of style. It is definitely a big car, so if you like small sedans this is not the car for you. Gas is great but the tank is huge, you put 20 bucks and the needle doesnt move. This is my first car and it looks like I will be a Honda Lover for the rest of my life.

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  Surprising - 1990 Honda Civic
  By rpthorp - December 8 - 2:41 am

  I went from an 88 Iroc-Z, to this 90 Si, and surprisingly, I still had fun. I bought it because I wanted something more reliable, with better gas mileage that was still fun to drive. The handling was wonderful. The combination of double-wishbone suspension and the lack of power steering made you feel like you were connected with the road. And because it was so light, it really didnt need power steering all that badly. But then she bent a rod... I lost respect for my Si, along with some money, but no hard feelings. Pay attention to the belts and you wont have any problems.