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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  Fix the rattles - 2003 Honda Accord
  By dodm - January 14 - 2:00 am

  It is rattle around the moon roof and the driver hand side. My 04 LX also rattle. I believe there might be a loose wire some where. Honda needs to review their quality control

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  Straight Soldier - 1992 Honda Accord
  By Bosstone23 - January 13 - 2:39 am

  Our Honda has been passed down throughout my family and will soon be sold. This car hauled an almost 2500 lb U-Haul trailer from Virginia to Arizona and is still kicking. Two things that commonly go in these due to bad circuit construction are the transmission computer and the main relay. New computer can be bought from ecmtogo for about $200 and relay is $60 at the dealer. Replacing these two parts is easy and should take care of most blinking D4 light issues. Aside from that, this car is a true champion of Japanese engineering and sets the standard for longevity.

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  Jurys still out... - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By JC Marin - January 12 - 11:08 am

  Love the looks, for a mini-van, of course, for the new design. The comfort is there for the most part. For a $45k car, however, they could have done a better job in terms of craftsmanship... I am not referring only to the materials, but in the putting-it-together sense. Also, the rear camera is the cheapest one Ive seen... they put magnesium in this thing, but decided to skip on a good quality rear camera? Why, Honda? Why? Even if it jacked up the price by couple of hundred bucks, that would have been better than the cheapO rear view camera you chose; shame. Oh and the other thing, the rattling in the panels is starting to creep up (had it on a new 2016 Prius, too, so I guess this is the new new with new cars.) The jurys still out, so well see how it goes. As another industry review pundit stated, wait a bit before jumping on a newly redesigned vehicle.

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  Good Basic Car - 1998 Honda Civic
  By acroduster - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for a 124 mile commute per day and it has served well. I got a very base model, but Im still impressed. Off the line its not great, but thats the price you pay for the gas mileage. Good stock stereo.

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  Happy, though wincing from the cost... - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By acroduster - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Love the 5 speed and power - I love sucker punching sports cars in a minivan! The squeaks and rattles in the doors are bad, though, and the seats could be a little more comfy. Dealers could be somewhat more accomodating - laughing in your face when you say MSRP is a little disconcerting...

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  Rattel, rattle, rattle - 2002 Honda Accord
  By DPVW - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I love everything about this car, EXCEPT the rattles in: the stereo bracket, the passenger door molding, the rear passenger-side molding, the speaker covers, the driver-side dash, the right-hand vent molding, the sunroof hardware and the glove box latch. And no, Im not unusually picky about these things: everybody who rides in it says something to me. Ive also had bizzare noises from the rear brakes and the muffler heat shield. Only the latter two have been fixed - all the others are ignored by Honda mechanics, needless to say.

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  Drive with confidence - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Robert Severin - January 11 - 10:12 am

  For me it is my first small suv . I had a minivan that had much more room ,that being obvious . The room in this vehicle is more than satisfactory in it class. I am old school and I find the ride a bit firm. I do like the vehicle and would buy again.

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  Boo for the seats in Honda CRV!! - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By Rita E - January 11 - 2:59 am

  We purchased a new CRV in 2002. I was not happy with the seats then. Thought for sure Honda would have improved them by 2013. We just purchased a 2013 and they, in my opinion, are worse that the 2002! We had an Odessey and the seats are amazingly comfortable. Why cant they get it right on thr CRV?? Had it for three miserable weeks then traded it back in for another Odessey. Come on Honda!

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  Low Milage, Large Turning Radius, Costs - 2009 Honda Accord
  By DBF - January 10 - 6:00 am

  Paid $19,995 for LXP package plus taxes no destination. Has door security, alloy wheels, CD/am/fm, no gps, no sunroof. Friends are getting 24mpg I avg about 20. I have never before driven a car where the mileage is lower than the advertised MPG. The unlock button sometimes needs repeated hits to work, good thing the drivers door still has a key. I think the code reset on the remote sometimes doesnt connect correctly.

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  Windshield concerns - 2005 Honda Element
  By Vick - January 9 - 8:53 pm

  The only complaint is that in less than 18 months and more than 30,000 miles of ownership I have experienced THREE windshield cracks from pebbles hitting my windshield. I emphasize pebbles! These were not even what I would classify as small rocks. Two fractures were repairable at $50 each but the third one was a major fracture that could not be repaired and required the windshield be replaced. This has made me seriously consider trading this vehicle in for something else.