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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  I love my honda - 2004 Honda Civic
  By i_love_my_honda_04 - May 18 - 10:00 am

  Nice car with good fuel economy. in my opinion ABS is worth the extra cost. Engine is very quiet when idel.

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  Best value in its class - 2004 Honda Civic
  By CriticalDriver - May 18 - 10:00 am

  Okay, for a sedan with good comfort, excellent gas milage, reliability, excellent styling, and some pep below Its got a great crash rating and the exterior and interior styling will make you feel you got more car than you paid for. This car gives you the most bang for your buck. I did a lot of research and drove all the other entry level sedans (corolla, Mazda3, Focus, elantra, cavalier, etc...) If you want small car performance the Mazda 3 will beat every1 in this class. But for that money I could by a Nissan Altima and get better overal value. This years LX Civic will hold its value, give you years of service (take care of her), and make u look

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  nice ride - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Disaster - May 18 - 10:00 am

  Picked it up at the dealer and set out on a 1200 mile trip. Worst mileage I logged was 31 mpg combination highway and intown driving in Chicago and the best was 37 mpg, all highway, and this was at 75 plus miles and hour. Very comfortable for long stretches, the drivers seat was infinitly adjustable. My one and only suggestion would be to make the 12 volt outlet stay on when the veh. is turned off.

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  Love my 2009 Pilot - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By ginnie - May 17 - 11:07 pm

  We seriously considered several vehicles for 1-1/2 years before we made our purchase - the Highlander, Forerunner, Acadia, Enclave and the Outlook. Our main concern was a safe and comfortable vehicle to travel long distances and that got reasonable gas mileage for an SUV. The touring model ended up being our pick due to the Michelin tires. The sales people we encountered at all of the dealerships were not knowledgeable about the fact that there is a difference in the tires on the Touring and the EX and LX models. The Michelin tire on the Touring gave us a much quieter ride.

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  My First Honda - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Risoguy - May 17 - 10:33 pm

  After several months researching Accord, Camry, and Altima I was very happy that the silver V-6 Accords were in production. At first I was apprehensive about buying a first year model redesign but the auto info was very positive. After 2 weeks on the road and 1,000 miles I am even more pleased with my car than the day I bought it. With all the research I did before the purchase there were no surprises. The response on windy mountain roads is very controlled. I like the variable cylinder management feature where the 4 and 3 cylinder mode kick in when less power is needed. The first trip I got over 28 mpg going up to 70 mph where allowed. Combined city/highway over 22 mpg

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  Honda #6! - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Jennifer Wood - May 17 - 4:45 pm

  This is my second CR-V; I traded in a 13 for a 16. There is a lot of the same interior features as the 13, yet the 16 has a lot more electronic features, such as the radio display, updated cameras (and adding the left sided lane assist camera), and usb/hdmi ports. The rear seat compartment now has its own temperature controls. There is no engine vibration as seen in the 15 model. The road noise is also much quieter than my 13. Honda just does it again, but better, and Im a Honda lover for life!

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  Fave Vehicle Past 34 Years - 2009 Honda Fit
  By FITFAN1 - May 17 - 2:00 pm

  I have owned 12 vehicles since 1975, both foreign and domestic, cars, SUVs and pick up trucks. I purchased a 2009 Honda Fit Sport AT with the paddle shifters. What a great economy car! Owned it for 30 days and the fuel stats are super. Worst MPG was 29.9 with the first tank of gas and that was mostly stop and go St. Louis metro driving. Overall mileage is 38.4 MPG after 900 miles. One highway only driving trip averaged 44.9 MPG while the computer estimated 46.9 MPG. I have 60% city/urban and 40% interstate driving. Paddle shifters are great, radio reception superb, picking up many weak and distant stations in St. Louis market. Interior space and comfort are tops. Engines smooth and quiet.

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  Great for a minivan in disguise - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Emily G - May 17 - 3:56 am

  Its a Honda. Solid. Well designed. And despite it being the first automatic transmission I have ever owned, I actually enjoy driving it. It sure does make life with kids easier. I feel quite spoiled without having to spend so much on a luxury vehicle.

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  2006 civic lx - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jay dubs - May 16 - 3:26 pm

  I test drove an Accord and a Civic with my wife. We could not tell the difference between the two. So we saved a lot of money by buying the Civic. Our intention was to step up from our 2002 Civic and buy an Accord. Now that we have had it for a while, my wife who drives it every day (48 miles) loves it. It clearly is the car of the year from Motor Trend magazine.

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  I love it!! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By happyridgeowner - May 16 - 8:53 am

  I couldnt be happier with my Ridgeline. I wasnt expecting "great" gas mileage. NO truck will give you that. But it is better than most. But the comfort, sound system, and general quality was way above the competition. With all the magazines saying it was their choice for Truck of the Year I knew I couldnt go wrong. The week after I got mine Consumer Reports comes out and makes it their Truck of choice. If you want a farm truck forget it. But if you want a middle duty truck and comfort you cant beat it.......period..........