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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  A little disappointed - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Steve - April 15 - 4:53 pm

  I have a red 08 V6 coupe. Noticed paint chipping around the rear tail lights and front lights. Had to have dealer remove lights, sand down edges, paint and reinstall. Driver side door handle sticks and dealer states there is no adjustment. Auto-transmission down-shifts abruptly, a lot of rattles and wind noise. Fit and finish is not typical Honda. If I were to buy again, Id look at the Infiniti G-37.

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  A Perfect "FIT" - 2007 Honda Fit
  By nate77 - April 14 - 7:30 pm

  This car is great around town or on the highway. Very fun to drive, especially in manual mode with the paddle shifters. Good audio system. Great hybrid or small SUV alternative!Seats are attractive and comfortable. All controls are easy to find and have a certain panache to them-especially the gauge cluster with looks like it belongs in a much more expensive car. Love the leather wrapped steering wheel too! Great car for the money. Interior layout with the "magic seats" are just that-magic! The exterior looks, although a little funky, grows on you with time and the car is much better looking in person than in photographs. A very fun car! I look forward to many years of economical driving.

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  Good Car - 1994 Honda Civic
  By Jaylee - April 14 - 1:45 pm

  Good car, great gas mileage. Would be a great car to send your kid off to college in. Not so great for a family of 4, though!

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  Good Value - 2007 Honda Fit
  By kinjitas - April 14 - 12:46 pm

  Read about how great the handling, space utilization and build quality in this car before I bought it. Was concerned about acceleration and design/features being dated. Car has met or exceeded my expectations in everything, is fun to drive, and I would recommend it to others looking for a good car in this price range. Also own a 2006 Civic which is a more recent design and wish some of the features (steering wheel radio controls, better road vibration isolation, sunroof, ULEV engine, better dash layout, and better soundproofing) were incorporated into the FIT. Overall, the Fit is a fine car and I have no regrets on my purchase.

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  2016 Honda CRV EX - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By khin Leong - April 12 - 3:48 pm

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  Just OK - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Andy - April 11 - 9:27 pm

  A good truck to drive. Plenty of power when not pulling a load or loaded down. Mileage less than advertised. When pulling a lite trailer mileage at 65 mph dropped to 9 miles per gallon on a level road. Terrible wind noise. Has Honda heard of a wind tunnel? Temperature control/air flow instrument is ridiculous. forget trying to read it if you are farsighted. They are all clustered in a small poorly backlit gauge. Need reading glasses to see tiny icons. Same goes for for small compass in mirror. Need glasses to see direction.Lots of storage but layout is poor. Better if it had a single fold-down console. Thinking of trading it in for a Frontier.

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  2002 4WD Honda Passport - 2002 Honda Passport
  By Jody - April 11 - 4:20 pm

  Except for substantial wind noise, and some body integrity issues, this has been a fairly reliable vehicle. I just got new tires and it has improved greatly. It runs great in the 4WD mode for heavy snow. The front seat seems to "fade" and needs adjusting fairly regularly. Gas mileage is average for a midsized SUV. Before I got new tires, it seemed to have several rattles, but this is improved with new rubber. I would recommend replacing the tires before you need to. There is plenty of room in the back seat, and lots of storage when rear seats are folded down. I intend to keep it til it dies, much to the chagrin of the mechanics. They dont like to work on them.

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  Ill only be buying Honda in the future - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By Stephanie - April 10 - 2:17 pm

  I love my 156,000 mile 9 year old CRV. I bought this car at 75,000 miles 4 years ago and have not had to spend any money on repairs. My only expenditures have been oil changes and a mileage based water pump/timing belt replacement. I would recommend the CRV to anyone. We are tentatively looking to replace my CRV with a new 2007 body style with nicer interior amenities, but I dont know if Im ready to give this one up yet.

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  Good Car - 1998 Honda Accord
  By HollyH - April 9 - 10:58 am

  This is a good practical car. It has nice styling but nothing fancy. Great gas mileage, but its a trade off for that great gas mileage it lacks speed and performance. I got a 4 cyl and really wished I had gotten a 6cyl. Its a great car for a mom with kids, or a college student. If you want wow and performance buy a BMW 330i.

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  Needs some changes - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Arun - April 8 - 7:20 pm

  The 2010 Pilot is an excellent choice for large sized SUV. It provides great comfort and rideability, and has ample room for 8 people. The interior design is excellent except for usage of cheap looking plastic on the dashboard. One thing I missed from my CRV was the conversation mirror, which was great for checking on your kids, without turning your head. Performance wise, the Pilot is no slouch, but its probably the first guzzler from Honda. All over the internet people are complaining of poor mileage. I am hard pressed to get their EPA 17 mpg in city. Braking distance is another valid complaint, it takes more distance to stop when braking at 60mph and above.