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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  Buyers remorse - 2010 Honda Fit
  By pnarus - March 20 - 6:43 pm

  Just picked the car up a few hours ago. The voice activation for the navigation doesnt work and there is a rattling in the front console. Will give the service dept a chance to prove itself. Dont like that I cannot push a button to lift the hatch up have to do it manually. Is a bit difficult to get out of car and I am small

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  Decent car with issues - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Steve - March 20 - 5:46 pm

  The car looks nice and handles very well. The bluetooth, navigation, voice recognition work great! There have been rattles with the glove box, steering wheel, passenger front seat, gear shift lever, inside roof liner. These have been fixed pretty much by the dealer without cost. The ride is a bit noisy for a car of this price, but not too bad. A car like this should have a USB input, not just an auxiliary input. Stop with the spring loaded covers on the aux port, and power ports! Makes it difficult to operate with one hand!! Move the aux/power input from the center console. Impossible to access/plug-in while driving with only one hand!! Climate control works well. Roomy car.

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  Best people carrier there is - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By txmom - March 20 - 5:23 pm

  Drove Toyota, Chrysler and Nissan minivans before trying Hondas as soon as we sat in an Odyssey, we were amazed at the quality and comfort of the interior. Carlike ride (plenty of power) convinced us. Ample space for kids, luggage, grandparents. Ive fit 3 square bales of hay and 6 50-lb bags of feed into the back (with both kids comfortably seated!). VTEC engine is cool (and effective!). Keyless entry and sliding doors are a lifesaver. Kids like the dvd player, but the wireless headsets only worked once. Difficult to get into the 3rd row with child seats in the 2nd. Have replaced tires and battery once. Selling ours, only because we live on a rough unpaved road and need clearance.

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  Brakes--be careful - 2008 Honda Accord
  By NKPHX - March 20 - 1:28 pm

  Great car except the rear brakes.The front brakes last 3 to 4 times longer than the rear. That never happens, the front disc always wear out first. Honda design flaw and the wont admit they have a problem.

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  Love New 2009 CR-VLX - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Agoura CRV Owner - March 20 - 12:50 pm

  I found a New 2009 CR-V still avail in Thousand Oaks CA & opted for that to save $ - LOVE IT. I drive a lot and usually hate getting in a car but Im enjoying the comfort. My small complaints are the tires they chose - very hard ride and NOISY if you open the windows above 50 mph. I wish it had an auto headlight & wiper on/off (as my Jeep Gd. Cherokee had) but that is my only "Wish" - Im not raving about the mileage, and its obviously better than my 8cy, its just not THAT much greater - and I wish it had a little more "oomph" I LOVE the car - Very happy - LOVE the Nav (didnt think Id really use it) it helps a LOT from an ATM or gas location to a restaurant. So cool!! Happy Owner here.

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  The Case For A Hybrid - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Richard Jepsen - March 20 - 9:28 am

  Used car prices have fallen for the Accord Hybrid/HCH making it value priced for the level of refinement. March of 2010 I bought a lease returned NAVI equipped 07 with 2,860 certified accident free miles. It has the best ride due to 16 inch tires and 200 lb increase weight. The battery pack serves as a sound baffle between the trunk and back seat. The electric steering feels more refined and with the smaller tires gives a turning circle of 36 feet for improved maneuverability. Drivability with the V6 is refined yet I get better than 4 cyl FE. I average 34 mpg driving 80% on city freeways filling up with 91RON non ethanol gas.

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  Great small car - 1995 Honda Civic
  By my honda my baby - March 20 - 1:06 am

  I bought this car based above everyone elses advice. The car is great. She had to have a head gasket repaired for $1000 right after i bought her. She is cheap on gas, which really does help out a college student. Runs great and i have 158,000 on her right now. I would never want to replace this car. I have already decided when that time does come i will purchase a new engine and keep my baby longer. Why mess with a good car that runs cheap? Take car of this car and you will save every single time you go to the gas station.

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  update lx coupe at - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Erik - March 19 - 7:45 pm

  drive my civic now for 2 tanks of gas and do 42 mpg,little lesser than my old civic 2001,but thats because of the wider tires 205s instead of 185 and the 140hp against 115 and more weight of course and its an automatic,but still a good average when compared to an expensive hybrid.Like the tide build and digital dash and drives a lot more refined than the old one.Hope to drive this for the next 300.000 miles till the electric Honda comes out and run my own solar panels and drive on zero mpg!!

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  Solid, could be more comfortable and fun - 2008 Honda Civic
  By climber - March 19 - 7:18 pm

  This car is a good compromise. Seating is acceptable, braking and handling are sound, and the engine is peppy. Auto transmission uses more gas around town than manual, a bit disappointing (26 mpg average) but is great and smart-shifting on the highway (40+ mpg). Main complaint is the lack of toe room on the passenger side, front seat. Adult male feet do not fit, so you have to sit with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Toe room is lacking in rear seat. Road noise is annoying on some road surfaces, drowns out radio. Ride is OK, but bottoms against snubbers on sharp bumps such as when crossing bridges. Handling is good but somehow not sporty. Braking is excellent, a bit sensitive.

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  A lot of value for the price - 2010 Honda Civic
  By David - March 19 - 5:38 pm

  The car has a solid sports car feel. Then the vtech kicks in and it launches feels similar to a turbo engage. Beautiful naturally aspired performed while still yielding 30mpg on the highway (i have been getting 32 mpg). I find the interior to be very comfortable and the required touch points are all within reach of the driver (radio, mirrors, door handles, etc). These are becoming increasingly hard to find with rumors of no more 2010 Civic SIs being built to make way for the 2011 transformation. If you can find one, i would most certainly recommend it!