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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  Tough Little Work Horse - 2005 Honda Element
  By Drew - June 1 - 6:20 pm

  This is my first Honda,and I cant say enough about it. I drive to customers homes, and workplaces for my job and cover about 1000 miles per week. Great in the New England snow! Dont think twice about buying one. You wont regret it.

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  Uncle Davys Pic n Pans - 2014 Honda Civic
  By David Wolcott - June 1 - 10:24 am

  These cars are among the best values on the market, a well known fact. Still one of the best cars in its category

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  New car needs new transmission in 1 year! Beware! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Disappointed Honda Owner in Florida - June 1 - 3:29 am

  I bought my 2015 CRV last year and immediately had difficulty with the vehicle shuddering and then stalling. Now a year later, the transmission has been replaced, but the experience has been horrible. I had to call Honda corporate and have a case manager because the repairs, even though they were all under warranty, took more than a week to get approved before they could even order parts or begin repairing it. I was without my car for all of that time, and they wouldnt approve a rental because they said the car was drivable. ( I did finally get a rental, but only for the last 2 of 10 days) If the car needs a new transmission, how it that considered drivable and safe? 10 days later I had my CRV back, and I immediately took it to another dealer and traded it in. I have lost confidence in Honda products and in their service department. I have always owned Hondas, but never again.

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  My second Crosstour - 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By Buck - May 31 - 11:16 pm

  We are now a 2 Crosstour family. Love the comfort, utility and simply "slick" manners in all situations. This car is an overall better car than those costing much more.If you dont need to haul around 2 tons of stuff, it id perfect. For the weight and type vehicle, gets excellent gas mileage with superb range. Unquestionably the best Honda ever. If you read the reviews carefully and ignore the immature remarks offered by some, you will find enormous satisfaction with this vehicle. Highly recommend.

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  Minivan killer - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Evens Remy - May 31 - 10:02 pm

  We were shopping for a truck with good reliability, good power ,a lot of rooms and good safety records. We tested a few trucks but none match the versatility of the pilot. We are very happy with our purchase.

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  Love it!!!!! - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Bob Jacobs - May 31 - 2:55 pm

  I have leased Hondas since 2004 using 3 different dealerships. I was torn between the CRV, Accord Sport, and the Civic EXT. Boy, did I make the right choice. For starters I am 64, and for anyone questioning the roominess, dont. There is plenty. This model is a head turner. I have had more people ask me about this car more than any other Ive purchased. I look forward to the next 3 years side. And a side note, dealing with Keeler Honda and Adam Dorn was the best car buying experience I have ever had.

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  Love it!!!!! - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Bob Jacobs - May 31 - 2:55 pm

  I have leased Hondas since 2004 using 3 different dealerships. I was torn between the CRV, Accord Sport, and the Civic EXT. Boy, did I make the right choice. For starters I am 64, and for anyone questioning the roominess, dont. There is plenty. This model is a head turner. I have had more people ask me about this car more than any other Ive purchased. I look forward to the next 3 years side. And a side note, dealing with Keeler Honda and Adam Dorn was the best car buying experience I have ever had.

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  2005 Honda Minivan EXL-RES - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By cmf - May 31 - 5:50 am

  The minivan is very nice. The one complaint we have is that for such a nice car, it has a cheesy plastic fold down center console. The cup holders here are non adustable and do not fit larger containers. The front dash cup holders are too large and do not adust to fit even bottles of soda. The fold down rear seat is very nice. the ride is very quiet everywhere. Passengers in the second and third row all were comfortable and did not feel carsick at all, as many typically do in the rear of minivans. Overall, a very good car.

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  Good. Still room for improvement - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Bobbie Smittie - May 30 - 3:45 am

  I buy cars every decade or so. I seen many reviews that gave the redesigned 2016 Pilot rave reviews. To me? Most SUVs in this class are very close to each other. I decided on the Pilot due to the safety features found in the Honda Sense. As far as I know, Chevy/GMC, Toyota dont offer same options and Ford is only in the higher Limited edition. Had a few moments where these "Sense" options dont work as expected. One example, going around a curve in the car pool lane where the other lanes of traffic are stopped. The car sensed there was a car in front and slowed down, even though the car pool traffic was not slowing. The slow downs are not soft. No blind spot warning in the EX model w/ sense... just a right side camera. Seems like a short coming now. Adaptive cruise control works nice. Volvos implementation (albeit in a sedan not a SUV) is much nicer in terms of lane keep and braking. The engine is strong in the Honda. Good acceleration. "Harsh" downshifts, not very smooth between 2nd and 1st. The touch screen navigation is horrible and the connectivity with phones are limited. iLink is designed for iPhones, and even then they cripple the interface so you can not display the navigation on the touch screen. Apps are very limited. You can connect Bluetooth with an Android, and listen to music. Thats about it. 3rd row access is "OK". I think the Highlander and Explorer design is bit better. However, its not used often so not a deciding factor The plastic in the rear storage scratches easily. Sound system is very "Flat" sounding, even with separate tweeters and (supposedly) a separate subwoofer. FM Radio reception is absolutely horrid. Good fuel economy for a mid sized SUV. On the highway, I seen 28 to 29 MPG. 23 mixed.

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  Happy with purchase - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Pedrooch - May 30 - 1:13 am

  I purchased my Fit in March of 2009. Ive had the car for 3 weeks now, and love it. I purchased my Fit as a second car, my primary car is a Honda Accord. I purchased the vehicle, because I travel to clients daily, and I wanted a car that was good on gas, reliable, and comfortable. I looked at the Toyota Yaris, I didnt like the center dash, and the Scion, but I liked the Fit better. The car is very roomy inside, Im 60 and weigh over 300 Lbs., and Im very comfortable, even on trips over 1 hour. After 3 weeks, I have no complaints at all, and Im very happy with my purchase.