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:

• 

  Most under-rated Hybrid - 2014 Civic Hybrid - 2014 Honda Civic
  By chorlacher - September 16 - 12:08 pm

  My wife and I both love driving this car! Its a smooth quite ride and has a very comfortable, and nice looking, interior and we love the exterior look too. We bought it almost two months ago and have over 3000 miles on it. We had a 1600 mile trip to Canada with it. We averaged 47mpg for the entire trip. That was with a family of four (a 5 year old and a 3 year old) and the car loaded down driving up and coming home. My first time filling the car after two weeks of regular usage it took 10.8 gallons and we had driving 555 miles since the last fill-up, 51mpg! For just my 18.6 mile commute to and from work I get high 50s (up to 62mpg) to work and low to mid 50s home.

• 

  The Fit fits! - 2015 Honda Fit
  By nau - September 15 - 1:09 pm

  We have had our Fit for about a month now, and have put almost 3000 miles on it. Have averaged 38 MPG in a 50-50 mix of city and highway miles. Our CVT Fit gets about 45 MPG at a steady 60 mph, 43 at a steady 65 mph and just over 40 MPG at a steady 70 mph Have hauled lots of things in it, has carried my wife and I in the front with three of our adult children in the back, and have just returned from a 700 miles trip this weekend from Cleveland to Chicago and back. We find that in spite of the black interior, the seats dont get too hot to sit, although we wish there was a bit more padding after three hours of straight driving and sitting. Back and right side cameras work great.

• 

  Great Car - 2013 Honda Fit
  By sansken - September 12 - 9:57 pm

  Overall this is a great car. There are a few quirks with it, and the technology leaves something to be desired, but for the price you cant beat it. Theres a USB input jack as well as an auxiliary jack. There is so much room in this car! When the back seats are folded down I could sleep in the back of this car. There are some strange blind spots which definitely take some getting used to. There are small windows on the side of the dash to help with this, but dont do as much as you would expect.

• 

  Lesson learned over 10 years, buy Honda. - 2014 Honda Accord
  By gski1 - September 12 - 12:34 am

  Hit 11K today after a 620 mile round trip. MPG is well better than stated, I get 34 highway driving it like I stole it. Im just SO happy with this car. Its smooth, fast, comfortable, full of the latest tech, reliable and affordable. All Ive done is put gas in it and change the oil around 8K (theres an oil life guage that tells you when to change it, I change early. Amazing. It took 10 years to learn the lesson to stick w/Honda after my 2004 that was bullet proof. I replaced a 13 Altima, bought back under lemon law due to numerous problems, largest being dropped the transmission twice within 7k miles. The Lord works in mysterious ways, got enough $ to upgrade to the V6. Love my Honda!

• 

  2010 Ridgeline RTL - 2010 Honda Ridgeline
  By wiseone2 - September 8 - 2:19 am

  Ive owned a Tacoma dble cab 4x4 offroad and now have owned the Ridgeline for about 9 mos. I honestly think the Ridgeline is a better all around vehicle. Comfort and tons of options makes this a great vehicle. The Tacoma looks a bit more rugged. but a 30 mile trip is vastly more enjoyable in the Honda. The Tacoma has great resale, gas mileage is similar, I am getting 18.8 mpg around town and the Toyota was right about the same. Its up to you, they are both good, I really cant support the Toyotas pricing, I paid $26.5k back in 2006 and its still the same truck for $34k plus.

• 

  Best car Ive had. Major improvement over 2012 model - 2014 Honda Civic
  By jackowen112592 - September 6 - 1:27 am

  I leased this car and Ive had it for a little over a month now, and I just LOVE this car!. I got a bang for my buck!. I had a 2012 EX prior to this car and this car is eons better!. The styling is awesome!. The steering is sportier, the interior is better built and I love the push button start, LaneWatch and backup camera. I need a backup camera due to limited range of motion from surgery. I pay $80 less than I did for my 2012 but get more for my money. The car rides smoothly but dont expect it to be like my Moms Lexus or even my Dads Acura though. I was originally going to get a Subaru for good traction for Illinois winters but the Subaru felt dull and dated compared to my new Civic.

• 

  if it only had 300h.p. - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By redc5vete - September 4 - 5:28 pm

  I really enjoy this truck. gets more compliments than my 02 vette. I do have aftermarket 22 inch chrome wheels though. with lo-pro tires and the Ridgelines Formal Black color it is awesome. Never had any trouble from it except when I ran hi-test bp in it. after a while I had spark knock which went away fast after going back to reg. its only low mark is its an inch to short in legroom for a 6 foot man. I do recommend changing the Trans., Power steering, and diff. fluids after 50000 miles. the shift and wheel turn improvement was tremendous. only a $200 dollar job at a service station. the 2 way tailgate, wet/dry trunk and luxury amenities are just icing on the cake

• 

  Very Impressed - 2014 Honda Accord
  By ohheck - August 29 - 9:50 am

  I have had my new Accord EX-L 4cyl for two weeks now and have been very happy with it. The car is roomy, well appointed and the fit and finish is excellent. The CVT that mimics a regular shifting transmission is excellent and the 4cyl has plenty of performance. On my first road trip, I averaged 41.7mpg going and 39.8mpg returning. Admittedly, that was driving @60mph, which for me is fast enough. At 70 years of age, Im in no hurry to get somewhere...just getting there is enough. My only negative is the ride. While not bad, it is definitely on the sporty side. The amazing thing is that my insurance only went up .40 cents over my older car with the exact same coverage. Very happy here.

• 

  Honda CRV makes a good truck subsitute. - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By utahcrver - August 25 - 7:47 pm

  I was originally looking for a small truck to replace my 2000 Xterra. But the gas mileage was not to my liking. I them started looking at some of the smaller SUV s I settled on the Honda CRV for my needs. I pull a small utility trailer for my business and never pull more than 1000 lbs. The 2.4 liter engine is powerful enough for my needs, I still can get over 30 mpg pulling my small trailer. I just finished taking a 1200 mile road trip. And using the ecomode got 34.9 mpg. Ride quality, handling and comfort were great.

• 

  Should not have strayed from Honda - 2012 Honda Civic
  By tamie45 - August 24 - 10:45 pm

  I started out the summer with a pre-owned 2013 Ford Focus SE. I was swayed into buying the Focus because of all the great tech and the quality interior. Unfortunately, all the comforts in the world could not make up for the awful DCT. Two months into owning the Focus I decided that I needed to trade it away as soon as possible. I went with a pre-owned 2012 Civic with 22,000 miles on it. I could not be more happy with my decision!! I first felt that the interior was a downgrade to the Focus until I actually drove the car for a while and found it to actually be much better in all respects save for the hard plastics. The smooth driving experience is much better than the Focus!