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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  2010 Honda Fit Sport - 2010 Honda Fit
  By srb - August 26 - 1:37 pm

  I purchased a 2010 Fit Sport with automatic. Very reliable auto. Great gas mileage (37 MPG). Acceleration not very good but not terrible. Engine tries hard but it is only a 117 HP auto. Holds the road well at 75 MPH. Drivers seat needs more support for comfort. Interior very good and I like the way the back seats fold completely flat.

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  AMAZED! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Baldeagle - August 26 - 12:18 pm

  I recently bought a 2006 RT from a local Honda Dealer, with 120,000 km on it - tonneau cover too. I had been looking at them for sometime I needed a strong, reliable, but comfortable truck or SUV to handle our cottage lifestyle. Towing boats, trailers full of work materials or ATVs, etc., but comfortable and easy to drive. Research indicated that used Ridgeline would meet all these requirements. In Billet Silver, it looks pretty sharp, although some in my family think its the ugliest truck theyve ever seen! But I love it! Two months into ownership and 2,500 extra km on the clock, its smooth, powerful, reliable, good on gas (averaging 10.5 L/100 km or 22/23 mpg, and very comfortable.

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  Best in the West - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Bill - August 26 - 10:17 am

  I have 116,000 on this car I bought in late 2005. It gets 50-52 MPG mostly freeway. I have had not a trouble with it, great car!

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  True reliability and quality - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Justin G. - August 26 - 10:12 am

  Terrific car that Ive owned for 3 years and not one mechanical problem. It is reliable, built to last, gets 40 mph (better than it is supposed to), and generally is the best car Ive every owned AND one of the least expensive. I plan to keep this car for many more years.

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  Love my Fit - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Len - August 26 - 7:46 am

  I have only had my Fit for a week, but on a mix of driving it is getting 37.4 mpg according to the instruments. Tomorrow I will fill it up for the first time and calculate the mpg. My wife has a Fit and over the past two months it has proven to be a fine little vehicle. The Honda attention to detail is really nice, I could not find an assembly flaw. The electric power steering will take some getting use to, but I enjoy driving the car. The Honda dealer was a joy after many bad car dealers I have experienced. The instruments say it is getting 50 mpg at 50 mph and 40 mpg at 60 mph. Really amazing and much better than I would have expected before seeing how my wifes was.

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  I just run and run - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Alain Boutin - August 26 - 7:45 am

  Transmission misbehaved at 99.8K miles, warranty covered those models up to 100K miles ! The dealer replaced it for free. They replaced also the air bag for free. Noisy, stiff, it is a torture chamber. Both rear seat panels fell off. That is all. After 132K miles, the car still runs fine. That is what we expect from a car. To go from A to B. US market Honda are hard to repair in Canada. They are not even listed on their computer system. Relatively stable under slippery condition. Pedals too sensitive. It is a Canbox on 4 wheels. But a good Canbox.

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  Wish I had never bought it - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Mike - August 25 - 8:27 pm

  Bought this car one year ago and within a couple months I began to regret it. First, the build quality is terrible. Within 6 months parts of the dashboard came loose and/or began to rattle, the front windows make strange noises when driving with them down, and in the winter I would hear metallic grinding noises when driving in cold weather. Also, if its been sitting for a few hours and I go to start the car, quite often it cranks for a long time, then doesnt start, regardless of outdoor temperature or how much fuel is in the tank. I bought a Honda so that I could trust it to last a long time and get me to work every day, but so far its failed at both. This was my first, and last Honda.

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  Second Honda that is really Bad - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By SSS - August 25 - 5:35 pm

  Crack on Windshield within 18 months, Battery went dead with 12 months, One tire had to be replaced since it bulged a bit (paid >$200), dealer never accepted that it was manufacturing mistake, Feeling air flowing through vent even when A/C is off, Alignment gets messed up immediately after 2 weeks of aligning at the dealership (lots of wasted money), not a comfortable ride at all (My Honda Civic had similar problems too not the same, bought both at the same dealership). I really dont like driving Hondas anymore.

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  More and More Disappointing - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Steverino - August 25 - 3:21 pm

  With a growing family, my wife and I bought a new Odyssey in 2003 and had to replace the transmission within a year (on recall). Its now at almost 190,000 miles and the 2nd tranny is shot. What makes this so disappointing is that we have taken very good care of the minivan, following Hondas maintenance schedule to the "T" with the dealers service department --- "regular maintenance" for this vehicle has been to the tune of $1000 to $2000 PER YEAR. Ive never heard of regular maintenance being so expensive for any other car. This minivan has proved over 6 years to be a very poor value --- we now wish that we had paid a little extra up front and bought the Toyota Sienna instead!

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  My first SUV-easy to clean and reliable - 2008 Honda Element
  By Jersey Jeff - August 25 - 3:20 pm

  This was our first SUV and having a messy child and a dog in our family, the Element is a breeze to clean and to haul stuff, especially with the rear seats up. The interior is roomier than you think. Ride quality is rather spartan but not unexpected and the engine could use a little more hp. Gas mileage is lousy, Im hoping for a hybrid version. I am 62" and find the drivers seat belt to be very uncomfortable on my neck. We have owned this car for 2 years and it has been the most reliable car we have ever driven. Quality seems to be excellent on our Element!