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:

• 

  Good Service - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Tim - May 19 - 2:06 pm

  Make sure you know all the feature you are NOT getting. Car is excellent but some features that would usually be expected because of other features are not there. For example the care has a backup camera but does not have XM radio.

• 

  2017 CR-V is a lemon - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Shawnee Worters - May 19 - 5:12 am

  Three transmissions in less than 6000 miles. Now the Bluetooth suddenly stopped working. Car has a high pitched whine upon acceleration only when the air conditioning is on. This was not the case until after the third transmission was installed but Honda Service says nothing is wrong. I cant trust this vehicle to travel more than a few miles from home.

• 

  Santa was good to me, Got my dream car.. - 2005 Honda Accord
  By YoJim - May 18 - 10:33 pm

  Must have done something good this year to get a way-cool car. Love the whole package. Honda took a risk in 03 when they did a major overhaul of their successful car (I still own a 98 Accord), but well worth it. Love the leather interior and all the amenities (dual heated seats, excellent ride, 110k between tune-ups, etc.). Would highly reccommend giving this car a test drive. My wife has the 02 Camary. Comparing the two side by side, the Accord is head and shoulders the better value.

• 

  Details are not as good as other Honda - 2005 Honda Element
  By Daniel - May 18 - 6:26 pm

  Found the car to be fun to drive but the ride is choppy. The finish is not as good as other Honda models, i.e. rough plastic edge under the steering wheel bothers my fingers, The plastic panels are also seem to be made of weak / thin materials.

• 

  A great sports car, very reliable - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Michael D Shaw - May 18 - 4:06 pm

  Great seats, a fine 6 speed manual transmission and corners very well. Outstanding value.

• 

  No complaints - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Dave in NC - May 18 - 2:13 am

  After 10 months and 16000 miles, Im still very happy with this car. Handling is great, ride is extremely comfortable, everything about it feels high quality and well thought-out.

• 

  Its a Honda! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Doug - May 17 - 8:30 am

  What can I say... its a Honda. And for you non-Honda owners, that is a very good thing. The Ridgeline is built to last, and with usability in mind. They seem to have thought of nearly everything, from rubber floor mats that you can get dirty, to storage pockets everywhere, to a composite bed. If I had one complaint, it would be that the base RT model has too many standard features, making the base truck too expensive in my opinion. The Ridgeline definitely sells itself if you take a one for a test drive.

• 

  one week impression so far - 2003 Honda Element
  By kanata - May 17 - 2:00 am

  We have this for about a week already and were getting lots of stares and questions. Pretty hard to stay low profile in this car. Great design, great interior concept. It feels really solid and tight. Very good road feel and turing radius. Drives great! Dont know why people are complaining about 20mpg. Dont they ever read the brochure before they buy? Its advertised at 21mpg!!! Too bad I noticed some excessive/poor glue/weld spots in some areas (wheres the QC?) Oh wait, its built in the USA instead! Get it back to Japan and Ill gladly pay the extra bucks.

• 

  Is good by me! - 2003 Honda Element
  By Rumby!!! - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I love it, period, no comment.

• 

  You Should Have One of These! - 2000 Honda Civic
  By VA Realtor - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Great car. If you dont own a Honda, you should! They are great cars.