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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  Happy Trails - 1999 Honda Passport
  By Michael - July 26 - 5:38 pm

  I purchased my Honda new. I drove it for six years. The only maintenance was oil changes, tires and a battery.

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  Best of 2016...not bad 2017 - 2017 Honda Civic
  By shanemckiness@gmail.com - July 25 - 6:30 am

  When Civic hit the road in 2016, it was the best compact car on the market with its unique turbo engine and fantastic handling. Now that its 2017, Civic has serious competition. The 17 Elantra handles almost as well and has a bunch smarter, prettier, comfortable interior with technology (including blind spot monitoring) available on all trims rather than select trims like the Civic. The 17 Corolla now comes standard with forward collision technology thats only available on Civics for an extra 1,000 if youre lucky to find on on the lot. If you want the best performing sedan/hatch/coupe, civic wins., but if you want interior quality, look elseware as civic falls behind both toyota and hyundai by a large margin. The seats are some of the most generic quality Ive seen in a car ever. The armrests in the center console and door are a spandex/nylon material stretched over plastic--is extremely rough/uncomfortable to the touch and attacts dirt so fast your car will look like you bought it form a used lot within 3 months.

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  No more Hondas! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By al - July 25 - 12:32 am

  I have owned over 7 Hondas in the last 10 years and am thoroughly dissapointed with my 03 EX w/DVD. Only 37k to date All of this fun for a $29000 van: 1. Michelin tires-junk after 20k w/rotations. 2. replaced trans 2x 3. TCS light-intermittent 4. lt slider-came off the track 5. poor gas mileage 6. ck engine light-numerous occasions 7. battery after 2000 miles Next van will definitely not be a Honda.

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  Better than I expected. - 1998 Honda Civic
  By Karina - July 22 - 1:06 pm

  Have 92K+ on this car, and 7 years, and still have one of the most fuel efficient cars on the market. Always reliable. Friends who borrow it love its "kick" -- me too. I just dont have a reason to sell it until its an absolute heap! More stylin cars cant beat its advantages.

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  Economy, but a bit more - 2004 Honda Civic
  By datrout - July 22 - 10:00 am

  As an introductory model for the Civic, this isnt bad. Originally puchased for my teenage son, he rearended someone within 2 weeks, not badly, but enough to get it taken away. Now it is my work car. I own an SI, this is a nimble answer for m-f workday week. Great gas mileage around town in stop/go traffic and enough pep to get me out of trouble, not enough to get me INTO trouble (unlike my SI). Overall, I dont like the hand-roll windows, they make me feel like an idiot, but other than that, I like the car for what it is, a workhorse. A cute workhorse, but a workhorse none the less.

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  My Honda - 2004 Honda Accord
  By phat10465 - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car overall. Smooth ride, Sleek body, the V-6 is a wise choice. I am very satisfied with the 2004 Honda Accord. I get complements on the car all the time.

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  The van - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Big dog - July 21 - 2:36 am

  This is a pretty good van. It is very reliable (60k miles and no problems). I like the sleek look of it and its power for passing. It is much more reliable than vans made by Chrysler, but lacks the nice bells and whistles (although they break anyway). It also has high resale and the power doors are fun to mess with. Mileage is awful!

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  Great car - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Honda Owner - July 20 - 8:23 pm

  Particularly impressed by the super smooth transmission. Never missed any forward gear. Gives good gas mileage with aggressive city driving ~25 mpg. Has a well designed interior - everything seems to be in place where you would want it to be. I like the sound system a lot. The center console display gives the car a good interior look. Has some noticeable road noise on the highway, but not enough to decide against buying this car. Except some trouble shifting into reverse gear at times (this is a manual), I have had no problems with this car. It is a year old and has 19K miles on it.

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  AWESOME SUV! Better than the 2013! - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Mickey Musick - July 20 - 10:36 am

  Traded a 2013 CR-V, EX-L for a new 2016. The new 4 cylinder engine and the CVT transmission are allowing me an improvement of 3.0 mpg better than the old 2013 model. Front leather seats are now perforated, better than the solid material of the 2013. The AC vent through the console to the back seat is a big plus for your back seat passengers. Road noise is still a big issue. Why cant they put more sound absorbing insulation and carpet in their best selling vehicle?? The new lane watch camera on the passenger door mirror is awesome! The 3rd/last line in the mirror image are perfectly aligned with the grill of the car you just passed. You know, like you were taught back in driver education! Awesome design! Not a fan of the new tiny console. Way too small. Went to five dealerships in one day looking for a white EX-L with beige leather interior. Not a single one to be found in the Houston area. A few days later, I was contacted by my favorite dealer that they had found one, obtained it, and were waiting for me to pick out the dealer installed options. Who knew that white with beige interior was so hard to find????

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  99 Prelude - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By P TITTY - July 19 - 4:06 am

  The prelude by Honda is a legend and I hope Honda decides to start production again soon. The 99 models saw a 5 HP increase to make it 200 HP(Base model seems fasteR than the SH MODEL), which is more than the type r integra stock. Exterior styling still turnsheads todaY and the interior is not bad. Under the hood we see one of the biggest stock honda 4 cylinder motors at 2.2 liters and the added bonus of VTECH MAKES THIS BABY SCREAM AFTER 5500 RPM. The one thing I have not like about hondas as I have previously owned a 00 civic si and 95 GSR integra is the clutches in the cars stock are not very heavy duty especially during racing. Overall the lude is the best sporty honda out there