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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  Great Fun and Great Value! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By dap2006 - February 1 - 1:23 am

  I absolutely love this car! It zips around without noticeable effort, the suspension is tight but not jarring, and the steering is precise - what fun to drive! Honda made exception use of all available space and used high quality materials. I never feel like Im in an inexpensive box sacrificing comfort for economy - its small but not cheaply built, and Im fairly large @ 6 and 215 lbs. The headroom is incredible and the seats are just right. Throw in Honda reliability (Ive had several and also own an Acura TL) and you have an incredible car - it just happens to be small. What a blast!

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  2014 528 XI replaced with Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Mike Cole - January 31 - 2:40 pm

  This RTL-E is amazing, replaced my BMW 528 XI with this truck. So much more comfortable and user friendly. Apple Car Play makes up for the cartoonish Navi, if you can afford the extra $2K step up to the RTL-E you wont be disappointed. In bed sound system seemed like a gimmick but sounds great.

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  Honda made a mistake in 2003... - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Mike Wilcox - January 31 - 4:30 am

  Sorry but after this 2003 Honda Accord EXL v6 ( yes FULLY LOADED ) blew the transmission today after 112,000 miles, I will not buy another Honda. Honda missed the mark on the 2003 cars and we are paying for it. This one has required expensive repair around 110,000 miles including a $3500 transmission, a $2400 power steering replacement and a $3000 paint job due to peeling clearcoat. Note, other annoyances includes door lock actuator failure at about the same time. Didnt most cars fail like this, ie at 100k miles, in the 1970s? Something happened starting in 2003 to Honda quality to let these problems hit the consumer and unfortunately in our case we had to pay for the repairs. It is a sad day, like losing a friend. Particularly, since we have three Hondas in the family. Survivors include a 2002 Accord and a 2003 CRV. The 02 Accord and 03 CRV each have over 200,000 miles on them and have had no serious problems including a rock solid original engine and transmission. In the past, we paid more for Honda quality and expected more from Honda. In my case, we ignored the complaints against the 2003 - 2005 Hondas thinking it was a fluke, this was a bad mistake. And sadly, you can not trust Hondas to the point where you pay more for a Honda than any of the other brand. So the morale of the story is that you must add Honda to the list of vendors that you MUST use a buyer beware approach. Do your homework, delay the purchase and shop around.

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  Love This Car - 2009 Honda Accord
  By likegolf2007 - January 30 - 11:53 pm

  This is my 5th Honda product and they keep getting better. I just traded an 06 Accord for this 09. It is much better - bigger, more horsepower, and quieter. Love this car and would buy another.

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  I LOVE MY MISS ELLIE - 2004 Honda Element
  By R. JACQUELYN - January 30 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE TO DRIVE HER!! MY HUSBAND LOVES TO DRIVE HER TOO!!! SHE IS GREAT TO GO ON TRIPS IN!! SHE IS THE BEST!!!

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  My New Civic - 2004 Honda Civic
  By TIS74 - January 30 - 10:00 am

  Wow! I absolutely LOVE it! Fun. Sporty. Affordable. Safe. Efficient. Just a great car. So glad I bought it!

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  Great Product--Service is lacking... - 2003 Honda Accord
  By 2nd and last Honda - January 30 - 10:00 am

  I had issues with the original brakes pads and rotors for the first 15,000 miles which cause other problems. (I purchased aftermarket pads and rotors. This fix my other problems. Who would have guees it.) My other issue involves the fuel tank sending unit (the fuel gauge). My fuel gauge is off by 4 gallons on 17.1 gallon tank. From my experience, serveral local Honda dealerships will do almost everything to put off doing warranty work. When American Honda get involved, they can not make their dealerships to perform any work. By the way, fuel gauge can be more than 20% according to American Honda. Otherwise, it is a good car.

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  My big mistake (worth $22,000) - 2004 Honda Accord
  By mobile - January 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 3 months ago and the car is being in shop for past 10 weeks. My first problem was when i turn on the car it will make big abnormal noice in the hood. Dealership fixed it after 4 days (i waited 2 weeks to get to honda repair shop). My next problem was transmission. It will make big pushes at around 30 miles per hour (switch to second gear). again i had to wait 2 weeks to get appointment to repair shop. The other problem I had was steering wheel would not turn smoothly but will turn with bumps and makes big noice when turn left or right. It was also discovered that steering wheel fluid was leaking. I dont mention small problems.

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  Best Car for $20,000 - 2005 Honda Element
  By jim - January 30 - 9:36 am

  The Element is fun to drive and has a lot of excellent features for a cheaper car. Its not quite a real SUV but its not quite a car either but it has many of the best and qualities of both. You would be hard pressed to find a car in this price range that has its cargo space, utility, and built in features. Plus it has a lot more character than the CR-V, a Civic, or a Caravan. This wagon is great if youre looking for a versatile vehicle but understand that for this price it wont have everything: as a car it has mediocre gas mileage (but if youre used to driving a bigger SUV - then you will probably love the gas mileage), and a somewhat rough ride.

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  Glad I bought a Ridge - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By JohnMcA - January 30 - 7:43 am

  What a perfect vehicle. It handles so well, has get-up-and-go, has room for everything and is fun to drive. Honda did a great job. Considering it the first model year it sure is well thought out. I used to drive a 93 Accord DX coupe. What a step up in every way, except gas mileage. I highly recommend this vehicle. Im really picky too.