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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  Great first car! - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Ed - July 24 - 1:29 pm

  To be specific, I have the 2005 LX Special Edition Coupe with the 2.4L I4 and 5-speed Manual. Special edition just means alloy wheels and different tires compared to the normal LX I believe. This is the first car Ive actually owned. This is also the first car Ive driven with a manual transmission (and I learned how to drive manual exclusively with this car in a parking lot!). The transmission is pretty slick, the clutch is pretty forgiving as well. The engine is a little weak in the low RPM range but over 3000RPM it has all the power you need in a car this size. Just shift down to fourth if you need to merge or pass on the highway but for normal city driving it should have enough power as long as you arent lugging it. The ride and steering feel are pretty solid for a commuter car, its no sports car but it doesnt have dead steering feel like some other typical sedans/coupes in this size/price range. The interior is pretty solid overall, the cluster is pretty logically laid out (I personally dont like most modern cars which try to be too complicated with soft-touch buttons and touch screens up the wazoo, makes it harder to change the AC/heat without looking!). Cloth seats does the job fine for me, saves me some pain in the summertime after a day in the parking lot sun. My only gripes are that shifting from first to second smoothly is always very slow because first is a lot shorter (in gearing) than second. Also the B-Pillar (behind the door) is pretty much exactly where you want to look to check your blind spot, but after a while you get used to turning your head just a bit more to get around that.

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  Great car with lots of little issues - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Pickandpray - July 24 - 9:30 am

  I got this car second hand and it has many little problems that dont sully the overall satisfaction with driving the car. BAD: door lock actuator failure moon roof limiter switch preventing moonroof from closing dark radio prevents seeing the station or the time tail lights leak water internally rear wheel camber gets negative with wear of rear linkages clear coat peeling GOOD: Very acceptable audio quality (decent bass in factory component setup) Very smooth quiet ride Pretty good handling (not sporty but not floaty either) No excessive wind noise on the highway

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  Cooler than I thought - 2011 Honda Accord
  By Shemeka - July 23 - 9:24 pm

  It is a nice an comfortable ride. It hasnt given me many problems. I have a little roughage at about 40 mph. But other than that everything else is decent.

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  Outstanding value - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Dave - July 23 - 2:18 pm

  I purchased the 2015 Honda CR-V EX AWD on July 2, 2015. Previously I had a 2010 CR-V EX so I had a very good means of comparison. Initially I was concerned regarding reviews/reports of excessive vibrations with the new CVT transmission. I can say categorically after 800+ miles that the 2015 CR-V with the CVT does not vibrate any more than my previous 2010 CR-V EX AWD did. The features and functions of the new 2015 EX model are very nice. First the acceleration is excellent. Fuel mileage has increased from 21-22 for the 2010 to 28.5+ for the 2015 model. The backup camera is a real plus. The radio controls take a bit to get used to, however considering Im moving from the old analog radio with buttons to a touch screen its very nice. Overall I believe Honda has produced an excellent vehicle that will more than meet my needs.

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  Accord is so conservative - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Dieter Rosabal - July 22 - 3:57 pm

  The Accord is a great car, very spacious for a family that does not want an SUV, the sport model is a great buy it brings you 18" wheels and a rear spoiler, along with leather steering wheel and door panels, but no leather seats. I purchase the EX-L V6 because I like the 3.5L and first time ever an Accord was fitted with a 6-speed automatic transmission, plus the leather seats, the forward collision warning and the lane watch camera is the best tech in the car. Although, I must say the Accord V6 lacks features like HID headlights, Paddle Shifters, bigger wheels and a branded audio system "Nissan carry BOSE audio systems". I must say the car is great, the leather seats are very comfortable, power assisted steering is smooth, cabin is quiet in the highway, the MICHELIN tires are like driving over the clouds.

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  Great car with some quality issues. - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Keith McDaniels - July 22 - 10:50 am

  This car drives nice,"a little stiff on the suspension," but makes up for the stiffness in handling. Fuel economy is great as well. Setting the cruise at 75 on the highway I average 37 MPG, which I feel is great! Now for the bad. I have approximately 25,000 miles on the car and the drivers seat carries the look of 100,000 mile car:( The pandora app is also a hassle. One stereo was replaced and the new stereo is troublesome as well. Freezes like a computer, disconnects during phone calls, and often have to either shut the car off or turn off blue tooth and turn it back on to get the features to work. Definitely is less hands free than I had hoped!

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  Honda Civic Coupe Lx - 2014 Honda Civic
  By Patrick Smith - July 22 - 9:06 am

  This is an awesome car! Very fuel efficient and I love the way it handles....it has a very soft ride and responsive steering, brakes, and gas. Overall great car and I dont have any complaints.

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  Moonroof! - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Dean smith - July 22 - 12:30 am

  Got the EX for my first moonroof. I traded my 2000 manual accord LX for the 2015 EX. My old car was a much smoother ride. The new AC struggles. I hope that improves once the windows are tinted. A car-stereo expert friend installed a great system in my old car, so Im spoiled, but the speakers in this new car sound weak. Theres a kind if matte finish on the interior hard surfaces thats easy to scuff. The back seat belts choke you--but thats the same as the old car. I dont think Im getting the mileage touted. But the acceleration is excellent. Im enjoying the computer bells and whistles (Bluetooth audiobooks streaming from my phone. Yay!) The trunk is enormous. The dash is easy to read (my husband has a 2013 Fit and the dials are really hard to read in daylight, I didnt want that model). I love love love the backup camera. Backing up is less dangerous! Im liking the keyless ness, though its taking some getting used to. My 2000 was a sweeter ride, but it was beginning to get repair pricey. I think it was a better-made car, though. Im enjoying my spanking new car, who wouldnt? (moonroof!) But Im thinking maybe I should have rented a new car to satisfy my jones and kept the 2000 Accord another three years.

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  I LOVE my Element! - 2005 Honda Element
  By Leslie - July 21 - 6:07 pm

  The Element is a great car all the way around. I have the EX AWD version, and it handles great in the snow. It has never left me stranded, period. My car has over 200k miles, and you cant even tell at all. The engine runs like a million bucks and doesnt leak or burn any oil at all. It gets really good gas mileage for an AWD SUV (I average 20 city, 25 highway). I think it is a very sharp-looking SUV. I will say that it does seem to be prone to dings. This is a great SUV for you if you have animals that are going to be riding in your car, since it doesnt have any carpet. I love that feature! The seats are also water and stain resistant. I think the seats are comfortable despite this feature. I have taken my Element on road trips and it has been very comfortable. This is a great SUV and I definitely recommend it.

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  Get back to design - 2015 Honda Accord
  By ramsy - July 21 - 3:35 pm

  I have been driving Honda accord/odyssey for more than 15 years and big fan of Honda. Bought a new 2015 Honda accord six months ago and here are my observations. 1) Very poorly designed front seats, feels very unconfortable. 2) No leg room- I am about average height and feels very painful for regular drive ..like every day to work. Funny thing is, when you move the lever to move seat up/down it also moves to/fro...never seen this ackward design. 3) Bumpy ride- Dont understand why the new car has to be so bumpy...is it the nitrogen tires that causing it? 4) Small Interior - Feels my hands and elbows are touching the interior due to lack of space . Dint see any jump in mileage , but why the car made so tiny?