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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  Ridgeline Done right - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bob - February 15 - 5:48 pm

  I have owned a Ridgeline since 2006 and this is a big improvement on a already super vehicle. Contrary to what dealers tell you, there is room for negotiation.

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  Try to find a better car at this price point - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Hans - February 15 - 10:10 am

  Having owned three civics I must say that the 2006 is the coolest looking one yet. Performance wise its no sports car but thats ok, Im sure it will provide years of faithful service. Isnt that the point of an econo car?

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  1 - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Mike - February 15 - 4:40 am

  I own a new 2006 Honda Accord EX Coupe 4 cylinder and it has to be the most reliable and best styled car inside and out. i love how the interior of my car is. For the money that u pay for the car it is well worth it. for the price the interior of the car makes u feel like a million dollars the way they set it up and the outside of the car has a sleek and sporty look to it to make it look like a sports car.

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  4cyl Accord Coupe LX - just OK - 2004 Honda Accord
  By accord_just_OK - February 15 - 12:13 am

  Bought the car new in 04. The a/c compressor turns on w/a nasty clunk (which makes a noise similar to a bad tranny). The doors and other interior parts rattle. The weather-stripping gets caught in the window when it goes down and makes a loud squeaking sound. Switching the hvac fan direction (blowing on feet to defrost, etc) makes a crackling/grinding noise. Of course the dealer says that theres nothing wrong the car. Called Honda and complained. Never heard a thing except that they sent me a survey to fill out, which I did and still never got a response.

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  Great value for a car - 2016 Honda Civic
  By ms dean - February 14 - 4:49 pm

  It was not that hard to make decision to buy this car. This is our third Honda. Being the car of the year was also an incentive. We also looked into the WV Passat but the reliability issue of the European car was the thing that steered us back to this car. With that said we had this car for almost six months now. It ran flawlessly. There was some issue with the torsional cable in the trunk that came loose and it was an easy fix with a wire-tie. The tire pressure sensor alerted and had to re-calibrate couple times with that touch screen. Nothing major. The car drove nice and sure foot. Turbo is preppy. Not as nice and powerful like our ten years old V6 Accord but it was nice for the money spent. The car has nice curve and look. Some people dont like bulky rear but I think it look OK. I usually hand wash my car during summer and I do notice that the fit near the rear tires and passenger door are not that well made. I had to pop the body panel back in. Look like they need better glue or rivet to hold it in place. Inside cabin has very nice material and fit compare to my Accord. We got 35MPG so far with this car. Havent driven on HW that much...may be less than 20%. All in all this is a value buy. If this cars Turbo engine and CVT lasted us ten years then it will be a good buy. If not we will have to switch brand or not buy a car with CVT again. We paid $23K ($20.5K for the car + Taxes + finance) total.

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  my s2k - 2002 Honda S2000
  By john l. - February 14 - 10:00 am

  WHEN I BOUGHT MY S2000 IN JUNE OF 2001,I DROVE MY BOSSES SLK AND I HATED IT! I THOUGHT THE S2000 WAS A FASTER NICER AND LESS IN PRICE CAR THEN THE SLK!SO FAR I ADDED DC SPORTS HEADERS,BORLA CAT BACK EXHAUST,AND A INJEN INTAKE.WHEN I HIT VTECH ALL I KNOW IS THAT WHO EVER IS IN THE CAR BETTER COVER THERE EARS CUZ ITS LOUD!!!!!! I LOVE THE S2OOO AND WOULD NEVER GET RID OF IT! ANYONE THAT HASNT DRIVEN ONE PLEASE DO!! I SELL NISSAN AND I CANT WAIT TILL THE 350Z,BUT I WOULD NEVER GET RID OF THE S2K FOR A NISSAN! IF YOU DONT HAVE ONE GET ONE!!!!!!!!

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  Happy Driver! - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Honda Fan - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I have had my 4 door 5 speed for a short while. I enjoy it. I have driven quite a few 5 speed Hondas. Compared to the old 1.6 L Civics, this engine actually has decent torque between 1500RPM-2500RPM (even compared to a VTEC Del Sol). Good back seat spacing, big trunk. Its not easy to fill up all the space.

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  worst transmission in history? - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By FD - February 14 - 1:12 am

  This is a nice car in every way but one: the CVT. If you never push the gas pedal down more than halfway, youll probably love it. In that "easy driving" mode, the CVT is well behaved and unobtrusive. But god help you if you ever expect more. The CVT is always in the wrong gear ratio: too high off the line and way too low when trying to accelerate at higher speeds. Its fiddly, constantly seeking up and down the rev range in response to the slightest movement of the throttle. I can be cruising down the road at 40 mph, push the pedal to the floor, count to three and return the pedal to its normal position; the cars speed wont change a single mph. Instead, the CVT winds the engine up to the redline without generating any forward momentum at all and then winds itself back down when the throttle is released. Its just pathetically unpredictable and irritatingly unresponsive when you need it most. Ive had this car for 12 months and love its many features, but that transmission is absolute garbage.

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  honda odometer problems - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By alanmj - February 14 - 12:16 am

  I took my first trip in my new 2015 Honda EX-L CRV. The odometer is high by almost 3 percent. Seems like Honda is repeating their 2006 odometer problem. Is this how honda improves the gas mileage? 3 % of 31 MPG is 30 MPG.

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  goodbye camry...hello accord - 2006 Honda Accord
  By pauly - February 13 - 1:16 pm

  being a toyota owner for many years (since 1980) it was going to be hard to put me behind the wheel of anything else. by late january i sort of desperately needed a vehicle, and with the knowledge of the 2007 camry coming out this spring i figured i would wait till then. when toyota finally released the car at the detroit auto show i was not impressed. i thought the current camry was somewhat "whale like"but the new model left me wanting more. so, i went down to my local honda dealer and looked at the accord se. made the purchase and have never been happier with a new car purchase. i now consider myself a honda guy and cant say enough about how this car pleases me.if you dont believe me get CR.