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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  honda 2-dr 03 - 2003 Honda Accord
  By djhimes - March 4 - 10:00 am

  totally pleased and a big improvement over my previous 2002 model.

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  From Corvette to Accord? No way... - 2003 Honda Accord
  By hbsgary - March 4 - 10:00 am

  My wife decided that she had the Vette for long enough. She wanted a four door sedan...again! We looked at the 2003 Lexus ES300, the 2000 Mercedes E320, and the 2003 Honda Accord. The Honda came into play because we have owned four of them. We drove the Lexus. It was very nice. Was it worth $35K? Nope! The Mercedes was very nice as well. I located a used 2000 model and had secured a price of $27K. A great deal. And then we looked at the 2003 Honda. We got it totally loaded except the Navigation system for under invoice. A fantastic vehicle with good power under the hood and lots of comfort in the interior. We love this car!

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  Nice car with lots of road noise - 2008 Honda Accord
  By sandy - March 2 - 7:20 am

  I went from a 2007 Tahoe to a Honda Accord. I sure miss my Tahoe. It wasnt worth saving the little difference in gas mileage for this Honda. My Tahoe averaged 14 mpg. So far this Honda has gotten between 16.8 to 21 mpg. Seats are not very comfortable and not happy with the heated seats. They do not stay warm for long. Must say it is a great looking car, and fun to drive but not worth the little amount of gas I am saving. It has a lot of road noise, makes my eardrums vibrate.

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  I love my civic! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Meg - March 2 - 4:03 am

  I really enjoy my civic EX 2-door coupe. It drives great, looks great, and is the most comfortable car Ive ever owned.

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  Lovin the Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By JH - March 2 - 3:06 am

  I have owned 2 ford trucks a full- sized Bronco, a Bronco II and an Explorer. This Honda blows them all away. It is tight, runs well, and I havent had to take it back to the dealer for major warranty work like every one of the Fords. The ride is fantastic. The trunk and gate remind me of my dads old 57 Ford Fairlane stationwagon. These items are practicle and useable. The Ridgeline may not be a "real truck" but it has done everything Ive asked of it. I cant wait for our first snow storm. If this thing goes in the snow Ford has lost me as a customer forever. And that is saying a lot as my father worked for Ford Motor Company for nearly 30 years.

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  Brakes defective - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bob Akins - March 1 - 9:49 pm

  2017 and presumably 2018 Honda Ridgeline have poor brake rotors. Over heat and warp quickly. Entire vehicle shakes.

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  It Just Fits! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By RandysFit - March 1 - 8:16 pm

  With 700 miles and 1 week in Hondas Fit, Im enjoying the ride! It handles exceptionally well in the twisty Santa Cruz Mountains with enough power to keep up (and pass) most everyone. The interior is roomy and comfy with lots of of space to haul big items. The 5 speed manual has short, precise throws and the electric steering gives enough feedback for spirited driving. Despite its small econo car looks, it is ready for a long drive with so many standard features (even more on the Sport model I own). The mileage so far is around 34mpg (twice my trade-in). The price point fits the feature content. Everything works so far and Im very happy with the Fit.

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  Hate to give it two stars, but... - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Russell - March 1 - 3:08 pm

  ...Im heavily biased towards comfort and the Odyssey falls short. THE GOOD: Repairs are only slightly more expensive than American vehicles, and infrequent. Subjectively, I think it has the best exterior styling of the minivans on the market. We get great fuel economy: 18-19 real world MPG purely city in Houston and 25-26 MPG highway @ 75 MPH. For comparison, I drive a 2007 Volvo S80 6-cylinder sedan that has consistently returned 17-18 MPG city and 24-25 highway on premium fuel. Plenty of space inside, well-laid-out, and plenty of options. THE BAD: Problem is we cant use it the way we intended. We came from a 2014 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Trail Edition. It wasnt a Volvo, but three-hour road trips to see my parents down in Corpus Christi resulted in only minimal road fatigue. The captains chairs in the Honda are awful ergonomically, road noise is so bad that front seat passengers cant hear each other talking at normal volumes, and ride quality is the harshest Ive had. We have a two-year-old and a five-year-old and (now that theyre old enough to handle longer car rides) wanted to start going on more road trips. That wont happen. I have a bad back and cant be in the van more than an hour and a half at a time. Even my wife says her back is sore after only a couple hours behind the wheel. FWIW, Im 510" and 275 lbs. My wife is 411" and 115 lbs. I really wanted to like the van. Dropped $800 on some good Michelin tires and $600 on Monroe shocks to improve ride comfort and noise, but it still measures a whopping 85 db at 75 MPH on Highway 59 South. The 4Runner, which was a brick pushing air, only checked in at 78 db while my Volvo is 75 db. If youre not planning on putting any real miles on the Odyssey, just shuttling kids to soccer practice a few miles away, theres nothing wrong with it. Its just not designed for comfort.

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  110,63x and Still Going Strong! - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Cameron Treebox - March 1 - 1:43 pm

  We bought our 2010 Honda odyssey in October 2010 a Month before we had our first kid. We had a 1993 Honda civic coupe before but we thought it wouldnt be safe for kids or practical enough. We have put every bit but 7 miles on it in 5 years with ! problem. Around 93k we had a problem with a fuel pump module leak, but it was replaced under warranty. Navigation system is dated but it works great we had had no problems with it. I would recommend it to anyone over any minivan.

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  2008 Odyssey Touring (NO PAX) - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Scott - March 1 - 12:56 pm

  Overall, its a great car. Already over 1000 miles on it. Works like a champ and drives great. Be sure to buy it without PAX/Runflats. We waited for 08 so we could get normal all season radials. Went through Costco buying program, cost $37,500 (500 over invoice)