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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  Its great.......but - 2001 Honda Civic
  By cjmc - November 17 - 10:00 am

  Yes, its fun to drive and the gas mileage is wonderful, BUT Ive had to replace the radio twice and now my air conditioning in not working. Shouldnt happen to a car thats just one year old! I wont buy another Honda.

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  A car built for $2.00/gallon gas! - 1993 Honda Civic
  By moboland - November 16 - 10:51 pm

  I have documented with my last 2 fill- ups average mpg of 40 miles per gallon. Awesome. She aint that pretty but she is fuel efficient. And peppy with a 5-speed manual transmission.

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  Mines a Good One - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Russ - November 14 - 4:00 pm

  More fun to drive this manual four cylinder EX than the two Camrys Ive owned. Interesting to read the complaints about squeaks and rattles: after 40,000 miles I dont have any ... and have needed to do nothing to the car except change the engine oil a few times (easy to do on your own on this car)and put on a new set of tires. I like the firm seats with good side bolsters. I plan to happily keep this car for 200,000 miles. Good value for $20,000.

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  A Good Car, But Very Overpriced - 1994 Honda Prelude
  By Dw2 - November 13 - 10:53 pm

  I wrote a review on this car over 2 years ago since that time I have put 55k on it, and, granted I drive it very hard, the car is showing its age. Honestly, this car is good, but Euro cars (BMW) can walk circles around it in terms of comfort and performance, and, sadly for the Prelude, cost about the same. The adage of Hondas being cheaper to repair than other brands is a myth, in the last year I have put in an A/C Compressor ($1050), and a clutch ($1000) parts are obscenely expensive, and the car is nearly impossible to work on. This car is a fun, and it handles awesome, but is too expensive and uncomfortable, especially with a 3-series available for the same money.

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  In My Element - 2004 Honda Element
  By KayKayAych - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Surprisingly peppy engine Unbelievable interior head/overall space Very comfortable, supportive seats Big, big back-seat leg space Easy access in to & out of Lots & lots of fun Very good camping vehicle Spectacular sound system

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  2002 Accord V-6 - 2002 Honda Accord
  By pioneer79 - November 12 - 10:00 am

  I am pleasantly surprised how many standard options come with this model. V-6 engine, traction control, 6 CD changer, and , best of all, a thermostat climate control system are features that make this car a remarkable value at $23,500. (It is a better value than the Acura TL for example.) Previous Accords that I owned had the power windows and moon roof, so I am accustomed to those options in a car. I live in New England so the addition of traction control makes winter driving less frustrating.

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  Please with all except mpg. - 2002 Honda Accord
  By rjball - November 12 - 10:00 am

  Only complaint is mpg. Experience has generally been 18 in city and best has been 24 on highway.

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  Takes getting used to... - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Cami - November 11 - 10:00 pm

  Ive never owned a Honda or a hybrid, so this car was hard for me to get used to. My biggest complaint is the jerking it does while breaking (the electronic brake distribution). When taking your foot off the brake while slowing down, the car continues to break on its own. I miss the power of my sports car & feel the need to accelerate very slowly to keep my rating green. This car is priced to be a less expensive hybrid & is cut back on the inside (no lock on the glove compartment, small center console, lock button only on drivers side, 1 power outlet, no leather). There are a lot of neat features to make up for it though: Eco guide, maintenance reminder, auto climate, Aux/USB ports, sport mode.

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  Touring Edition falls short - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By phelps101 - November 10 - 8:02 am

  We chose the Touring Edition because of the bells/whistles. But they work so inconsistently they are mostly gimmicks. Lane Keeping Assist must have perfect conditions; Collision Mitigation only works sometimes; Adaptive Cruise Control is unusable unless you enjoy the accelerator and breaking system taking turns jerking your neck; the UI for the two displays are maddening. The greatest disappointment is MPG. We are hypermile experts, so we usually crush the official MPG. But we averaged only 25.1 MPG over first 1300 miles, with 50/50 city/highway. The dealer says this is within the acceptability range. We specifically waited for the 2015 because it claimed higher MPG than the 2014.

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  Honda Odyssey = Transmission problems - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Done w/Honda 4 ever - November 10 - 2:05 am

  dont be fooled by all the glowing reviews on this minivan. yes it has many features and comforts but so do other models and they come without all the issues that plague this vehicle. two main components of any automobile are engine,and transmission design flaws material defects etc. in these major components usually result in a constant repair battle for the life of the vehicle as is the case for the honda odyssey my tranny was replaced at 40k and then the 2nd tranny was pulled and inspected under a honda recall last summer. I just got another recall notice 11/04 reguarding more tranny issues. dont walk run far away from this honda. other failed components dvd screen, driver seat.