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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  Best of both for me - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Terri - June 27 - 9:33 pm

  This truck is GREAT, not a HEAVY duty truck, but very comfortable for everyday and for trips too, with the cabability to run to Home depot or Lowes, take the grandkids camping / fishing and seats 5 adults very comfy, I love the height of the seats so you are not climbing in and out of the truck you just swing your legs around and you are standing. the bed trunk is GREAT for storage and is large. Nav works very well along with the sound system, rides smooth and pretty quite, the adjustable console is really nice esp in town driving. I am very pleased with my purchase

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  Excellent Auto - 2000 Honda Civic
  By Don - June 27 - 9:19 pm

  Have owned this Car since March 2000. In my 8 years of ownership I have replaced the oxygen Sensor at 32,000 miles a battery at 33,000 miles and thats it. It runs beautiful and averages 35 City & 39 Highway MPGs. I had changed the Spark Plugs at 20,000 miles to Iridium Plugs, they improved mileage. I keep the car garaged and the finish is perfect and car runs perfect now at 35,500 original miles. I had taken several trips from Florida to Ohio and had registered as high as 41 MPG on several trips. If you need a reliable car and can find one of these with low miles, grab it. They run great and handle perfect on the road.

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  Believe it! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Big Lew - June 27 - 6:42 pm

  Hi all! We never even drove the fit before buying it! It reminded us of our first new 1977 Honda CVCC and that car was one of the best we ever owned. I picked the car up in the Pittsburgh area and drove it back to Lancaster, PA (252 miles). All of the driving was at speeds of 55-70 mph. MPG was 39 and this car had no miles when purchased. I cant believe how quiet this car is. I really was expecting much more road noise. The Fit took all the hills of Western PA without a hitch. Not once did I have to floor it to make it up any hills or to maintain the speed limit. The interior is just flat out perfect. The materials reminded us of our Accord Ex. The handling was perfect. My wife is in love

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  It is an Accord! - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Paul - June 27 - 5:24 pm

  Newly purchased Touring model. Performance and Handling is what I would expect from a Honda. Nicely hugs the curves and smoothly over bumps. I was a little worried about the reviews I read about the multiple consoles, many say it is clunky, I found it nice. I set the upper console to display the date/time and any alerts and left the bottom console for the multimedia use. Yes, you can do that, along with setting the background of that screen. The quality of sound is nice but dont expect a powerful sub-woofer. Navigation was nice, almost good enough not to need to use Android Auto but I had to try it. Android auto kept saying my phone was disconnected. Not sure if it was the cable or the app crashing, but when connected, it picked up my google maps and was using it for the navigation. The touring model feels like the old Cameros, nice space in the front seats, back seats are good for kids, adults may hit their head if they are tall. This car is loaded! The only things I can think of right now that I would ask Honda to change is: 1. Warranty, Come on Honda, you know you are better than the default warranty. Get with the times and update it to something like 5/50000 or something a little better than 3/36000. 2. Dual power seats, currently only the drivers seat is power. 3. Power tilt for steering wheel.

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  Finally - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Jimmy z - June 27 - 3:20 pm

  I have been looking and test driving Civics for the last 2 years and finally decided on a Crystal Black Pearl Coupe, it was on the showroom floor. I almost went with the LX-S, but decided that for an extra $1,300 I would rather have the sunroof, UBS connection with a great stereo, 4 wheel disc breaks. The car is very fun to drive and rides a lot better than the coupe a test drove. Will see how good the mileage is.

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  Honda Odyssey Touring had to have it. - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Winston Hawkins - June 27 - 6:43 am

  We have loved our Honda Odyssey and have taken it everywhere. Our dealer has been great with anything warranty and non-warranty related. This vehicle is like a sports car and is a blast to drive. Its hard to believe that this vehicle averages for us around 24 MPH while packed down with two children and all our gear for vacation. We will buy another one.

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  07 EXL-V6 - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Tug - June 27 - 5:20 am

  Exceptional car. Great performance, handling, gas mileage, build quality, very comfortable. Better looking cars out there, but the more I drive it, the better it looks. In my opinion the best car for the price, hands down. Resale is second to none, may not find out for some time though.

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  Should have bought one sooner. - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By MEM, Hamilton NJ - June 26 - 10:46 pm

  Previously owned two Hondas (Civic and Accord). Had the Accord for 14.5 years with 165,000 miles. Took a break for a few years from Honda but recently purchased a certified used 2004 Honda Pilot. Love it! Glad to be back in the Honda family!

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  Honda is one of the best - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By VINNY PERSAUD - June 26 - 10:26 pm

  The Honda Pilot rides very comfortable with a quiet engine that performs very well. In addition to the roomy interior with third row seating gas consumption is economical. This is definitely one for the entire family, unlike the Benz ML 350 which is disturbingly uncomfortable when it comes to handling and performance, but safer with lots of body steel.

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  Lovin every minute of it - 2005 Honda S2000
  By RPM Jack - June 26 - 5:56 pm

  This car is a real head turner, its like sitting in real sports car. The manual transmission is a lot smoother then I thought it would be. Im the envy of my friends and neighbours. I looked around at many diiferent vehicles and for the price and quality especially being a Honda, dont look at anything else.