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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  CRV Touring - Well Worth The Wait - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By crving - January 19 - 12:25 am

  Traded my 2012 CRV EXL Navi for the 2015 AWD Touring. What a huge improvement. Quiet, significantly improved performance, better ride and handling. The electronic "safety" additions work as advertised from Lane Keeping to Adaptive Cruise Control. MPG is improving with each tank full. Expect warmer weather will improve more. Quality is much improved. Seems more rigid and better screwed together. Build quality appears perfect.

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  Civic snow dilemma - 2006 Honda Civic
  By melekpod - January 18 - 12:43 pm

  My Honda has been reliable in fair weather and rain, but snow, I find it a problem to get up some of the smallest hills. I bought a manual transmission hoping I would have more control in the snow. I thought it was the tires, so I bought new tires, still have the same problems. Also, I open the window and water seems to pour in on the controls when its raining and rolling the window down usually has cleared the windows in past vehicles, but it doesnt, seems the like the rubber squeegy is on the wrong side of the window? Had a ford contour w/ no problems in snow.

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  Great car...but a little sluggish - 2008 Honda Civic
  By jake - January 17 - 9:20 pm

  My mom bought me this car as her final gift to me before she passed from cancer in May 2009. I love this car! I love the dash layout, Im a big guy though and the seats are a bit narrow. Quick around town, but on a recent trip on route 66 to California I noticed on long inclines you have to put pedal to the floor. Lots of "zip" but horrible acceleration in situations where you pull a U-Turn and have to gun it... almost got hit a couple times because even to the floor its just so slow getting up to speed. Transmission has inconvenient shift patterns too. Thats the only bad, all in all its great little car and I get over 400MPG on the highway!!!

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  Honda All the Way!!!! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By BeautifulOne - January 17 - 2:36 pm

  Great car!!!! I love it!!!! For the last 2 years I had been driving a Volvo S80 T6 that kept breaking down on me. Finally, I said enough is enough, I went back to Honda. My Honda drives better than my Volvo did. The styling is great, the interior is great, and the ride is awesome. I missed driving a stick shift, so I had to get my new Accord with a stick, although I could have gotten the V6-6 speed (didnt want to pay for the extra gas with all the driving that I do) but the 4 cylinder 166 hp is great. Nice get up and go. Way to go Honda, same great car that I have come to know and love.

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  Awesome car for a busy grandma - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Cheryl - January 17 - 3:26 am

  I got the Pilot because i wanted comfortable room to hold mu grand children. Its safe and has a “TV” as my kids say.

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  Winter or Summer - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Pleatia - January 16 - 3:29 pm

  I have found the Fit to be quite adaptable to the nasty weather. Some reviews are a bit harsh as far winter ready. The Fit has a very decent heating system. If you leave the vents open, just as in any vehicle the defrost will clear the entire car easily. Here in Colorado I have been in many situations where the best heating system in the world cannot keep up with the conditions that the mountains can throw at it. From Audi to Subaru. I do not find an issue with the Fits heat and defrost. If the vent blows in your face, good lord move it! My Fit averages 32 MPG and is a great vehicle. Between the Subaru and the Honda I own the top two vehicles in the world for quality.

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  Nothing is perfect-Great basic vehicle - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Beppie - January 16 - 11:20 am

  I have 175K on my 1999 Honda Accord. I am thinking of purchasing another car, but it would only be for fun. My car runs like a new car. I could drive to the moon and back with confidence. I did have to replace the transmission at 90K and the ball joints at 30K. However, Honda covered these expenses and were very apologetic to me. The dealer gave me a loaner car. Keep up the maintenance with an oil change every 3000 miles.

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  Whats not to like - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By mike0928 - January 16 - 8:44 am

  I had a 2010 Honda CRV EX .....After reading about the Motor Trend SUV for 2015 I did some reserch.....I stopped by a Honda dealer to see the new 2015 CRV...I was never going to part with the 2010 EX .......3 hours later Im driving home with the 2015 model not quite sure what just happened......The 2015 is a New Car compared to the 2010.....The features were worth the purchase.....Rear view camera , lane watch right side mirror eliminating the blind spot ,CVT tranny smooth better pickup , 7 inch LCD panel w/ 3 inch upper dash display....Electronic steering , direct fuel injection , heated seats , power driver seat 6 modes on the 7 inch panel...2 - 12 volt power ports , 1 usb and 1 hdmi port

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  We love our Odyssey! - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Dwayne - January 15 - 11:57 pm

  We have driven this minivan crisscrossed throughout the southeast and loved every mile. The car has had no repairs. It runs like a sewing machine and has great room for all that my wife buys. We both drive it around town and wish it got better mileage, but at 19mpg city Ill take it.

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  A good fit! - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Dustin - January 15 - 8:13 pm

  After driving Z4, Boxster, and S2000 I spent a good deal of time considering which I would be the best for my situation. Exterior styling on Z4 is good, interior and ride is rubbish. Boxster is the nicest drive of the 3, but at considerable running costs. The S is just fun, good looking and bullet proof. Engine note on Boxster is supreme. I actually plan on driving this car daily at some point and prefer to trade seldom. The Boxster is a bit better in every way except running costs and maybe steering speed / response. In short, Boxster cost is 2X up front, 3X to run, and lasts 1/2 as long. S wins on precise handling and overall reliability.