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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  Honda Civic LX - 1995 Honda Civic
  By HondaGirl - January 4 - 9:32 pm

  Overall, not a bad car. It has only left me stranded twice: when the plastic radiator cracked, alternator belt broke. Gets pretty good gas mileage. Now with 232,000 miles it is gone. Starter just went out, oil seals are leaking, and it leaked on the timing belt, back power windows leaking, trunk is leaking water from back window. This summer had the CV joints, brakes, and rotors replaced and it was driving like brand new. I got this car with 90K miles on it. We had a good run. Just remember to get the timing belt replaced every 90K miles and you will be fine. I got this car in college and it has lasted thru my first job, and it will be missed

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  america, take note - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By yachtracer - January 4 - 2:43 pm

  This is an outstanding suv. Plenty of power, space and comfort. Hauls everything we need, both inside and by trailer. It is very reliable and the build quality is obvious.

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  Good Car for City Commuting - 2010 Honda Insight
  By John - January 4 - 5:43 am

  Well I got inspired and traded in my 2008 CRV for an Insight. I have an average commute of 40 mile per day total with about 4 miles of city driving. I live in San Antonio and my last 5 miles of my commute is stop and go traffic. Anybody who drives 281 North in the evening will know stop and go should really be stop and stop traffic. I have 1400 miles on the car and am averaging all around 45.2 MPG. I will admit I do miss the CRV, but I am a city driver only and with the exception of going back and forth to work I do not do that much additional driving... bottom line. I like the car. Even though gas is down right now we all know when this economy get back on track will be looking ^$ gas.

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  Honda Accord Take #2 - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Bilyum - January 3 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Honda Accord. Excellent quality! I would recomend anyone to at least drive one. Very minimal problems.

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  Happy - 2004 Honda Accord
  By DCGNCO - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Accord for 2 weeks now, and I like it a lot. Ive had only one problem with it so far, and the dealer was able to fix it under warranty. I had a loud buzzing noise comming from my drivers door at highway speeds. Turns out that there was a screw loose in the door which required them to take it to apart to fix. After that everything is A - okay. I encourage New accord owners to tell the dealship about any quality issues with your car, the dealer I bought my car from was ready to deal with this issue and did so promtly. They even deatailed my car a filled the tank up for free, for my troubles.

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  2002 Accord - 2002 Honda Accord
  By JOE - January 1 - 11:23 am

  I like the car but many squeaks and rattles i had a 1991 accord with 215,000 miles and it was a more solid car what happened honda?This car has 160,000 miles on it

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  disappointing - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Joe - January 1 - 9:49 am

  I bought this car from private party who had leased it new and decided to sell it instead of turning it in at the end of the lease. Not long after I had it the Throttle sensor went out. You have to replace the whole throttle body. $750 at the dealership (parts only) I got one at a salvage yard for $300 plus $200 to replace. Next the AC compressor blew. $700 to fix. Next the TPS went out again. A new one this time. $900 to fix. Now the O2 sensor is bad at least another 3-$400. The tape player just went out. Two days ago my wife had it overheat while driving. It was out of coolant. I have no idea why. I refilled it and am holding my breath hoping it holds out long enough for me to sell it.

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  Great car, almost the perfect value - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By dashriprocket - January 1 - 2:59 am

  Well, I really love this car. Two things I dont like are the hard plastic dashboard which sounds very hollow when you top on it. There could have been some sound dampening material put there. Also, the road noise for what youre paying for .... honda could have easily made the cabin more quiet from road noise, in city and highway. Sport mode is pretty fun and the care is just very attractive and practical. However, I think the Subaru XV Crosstrek is the better value. Im 6 feet tall and when I sit in the back my head literally almost touches the ceiling, so Im a little bummed about that.

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  All Around Great Car!!! - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Zero Gravity - January 1 - 12:33 am

  Fuel economy is great. The car gets about 33-35mpg in spirited driving and can do up to 42mpg if driven economically. I would prefer a manual transmission but the automatic performs very well for a commuter car. I always use 87-octane gas, Royal Purple synthetic motor oil and a K&N reusable air filter in the stock intake. I have a sub in the trunk and heavier speakers upfront that probably cancel out the mpg gains from the oil/filter. Worth it to me. Undoubtedly the carÂ’s aerodynamic car- forward design contributes to its fuel economy as well, but the thick pillars front and rear cause large blind spots making lane changes a bit more risky than IÂ’d like.

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  2006 Honda CRV #2 - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By kaplanm@cox.net - December 31 - 9:13 pm

  This is the second CRV in a row Ive owned. They are nice small utility vehicles. Quick, gas efficient, not large, but holds lots of stuff. No problems. Sturdy. Reliable