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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  Fantastic car for the money - 2010 Honda Fit
  By RJS - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive been driving this car for 2 weeks now. The gas mileage is outstanding, averaging in the low 30s, and I am not having to drive like an old man to achieve it. It begs to be driven lively, and its engine loves to rev. It looks small, but it has tons of space on the inside, and its build quality is so much better than anything else in its price range.

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  Awesome Car for the money! - 2010 Honda Civic
  By stup62 - September 23 - 2:00 am

  First import Ive ever owned. Like the attention to detail. Awesome sound system, although a 6 cd radio wouldve been nicer. Impressive acceleration, car just wants to go,go, go! Probably why my mileage is a little less than what I expected. Overall, very happy with the car.

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  Happy Overall - 2009 Honda Element
  By Iggy Flop - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Owned this car for a little over a year now and the experience has been a good one overall. Its fun to drive, It feels solidly built, and Ive yet to have any mechanical problems with it. Is is fairly flexible, But dont expect to be moving any couches or other bulky items. Its deceptively short, and if you really wanna pack it, youve got to lose the rear seats all together, which thankfully is fairly easy. Yes they flip up, but they bulge a good bit which takes up space. Not to mention block all visibility out of the right / rear window (kind of an important one if youre a lane changer). My biggest problem though is that the paint is chipping/ spidering, and Honda will not help.

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  Happy Honda and Even Happier Owner! - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By CR-Z4me - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Decided to purchase this snazzy economic sports coupe after test driving many other makes/models. The CR-Z EX w/ CVT exceeded all expectations and continues to impress. Chevys Cruz was loud and had many rattles. Fords Fiesta/Mazda2 are cramped. The CR-Z is roomy, handles w/ precision, rides great, has brisk acceleration, gets 38-52 mpg and looks like a true sports car costing thousands more. The bright silver paint with gray luxury-sports cloth seating makes for a rich combination that turns heads. Many ask how we like our new Honda. Pamper yourself for just a tad more and treat yourself w/ the nicely equipped "EX" edition with navigation. You will enjoy waves, honks, smiles and thumbs up!

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  Inexpensive AND cheap - 2005 Honda Civic
  By inittowinit - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Well, here goes. I bought in 05 because i had a low self esteem. I wanted a car with a seat so horrible, i would hurt when i got to where i was going. And i got it! i also wanted an engine so small that 1967 beetles could outrun me. guess what, i got that too. i was also so totally looking forward to cramming me and three of my 63" buddies in the car to see if the performance got noticeably worse and how uncomfortable we could get. and how well the brakes worked when we now essentially doubled the weight of the car. actually the brakes are good. it didnt have ABS b/c its not standard and i hate ABS. the gas door release broke, passenger window broke, and a flat - totally Hondas fault.

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  Reliable, efficient, sporty and fun! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Michael - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Had a brand new 2010 Mazda 3 but got rid of it to buy a 4-year-old used Honda Civic for half the price. I cant tell you how happy I am with this car. I get great gas mileage (37 with mixed city/hwy), which is easily 12 mpg better than the Mazda! The interior styling is excellent - I have the beige interior and its so open, light and airy, especially with the sunroof. The seats are spacious and comfortable, and the trunk gives me plenty of storage space for hauling stuff. Back seats are pretty big for a coupe. Love the layout of all the instrumentation, including the handy steering wheel mounted audio controls.

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  2011 pilot issue VCM - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By hugh7 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  i just bought a 2011 honda pilot EX-L 2wd on the spur of the moment,heres something that i did not notice on the test drive, there is something that you should know before you buy this high priced SUV! it has the ECO system also called the VCM this is were 3 or less cylinders shut down when you reach a certain speed, this is very noticeable it feels like a constant up or down shift or an engine misfire!this is to save fuel, i am very disappointed with this, on my 70+ mile trip back from the dealership the thrill of buying a new car sure went down the pipes! shame on you Honda if i wanted to save fuel i would have bought a FIT!

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  Great Car - 2006 Honda Element
  By Adam - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I love driving this car. I bought it brand spanking new in November of 2005 with 63 miles on it. The stock stereo is awesome for stock. You could pack a smart car in the back if you needed to. TONS OF SPACE. Great gas mileage. Awesome in the snow. The only complaints i have are the road noise, and i really wish they put a V6 in it. The 2.4 L 4cyl is lacking. It would be nice to have usb connection for my iPod instead of the aux. You can definitely tell a difference when the a/c is on. The headlights broadcast perfectly and the car would benefit from HID lights. Other than that, the car is great.

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  So far so good - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Caseyd - September 21 - 2:00 am

  We bought this 4 years ago when it had 67k miles on it. It now has 110k miles on it. It was a certified Honda so we had coverage until 100k mile, this replaced the motor mount for free. Motor mounts going bad is normal wear for a FWD car at 100k miles. It has leather seats that are EXTREMELY comfortable Road noise is worst than other vans. If you apply undercoat to the wheel wells and buy good tires it will be silent. Bad quality tires make it worse. I have flushed the transmission fluid at 75k miles and changed it at 100k miles. No transmission problems yet. I get 26 mpg driving from Denver to Utah over 11,000 foot mountain passes with the cruise set, fully loaded Love it!

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  40 mpg - 2010 Honda Civic
  By Ken - September 21 - 2:00 am

  Gas mileage is much better than the sticker says 32 city, 40 highway. If fuel economy, reliability, safety and a decent ride are your requirements, the civic is for you. The only thing I dont like are the tires, Continental tires are noisy and do not ride as well as most other brands. I have noticed this on other cars I have driven as well. I will be installing Michelin tires.