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 Accord Yet! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By tstapleton - July 14 - 11:00 am

  This review is for our 2013, Accord V-6 EX-L coupe. We are third time accord owners, 1993 station wagon, a 2008 sedan and now our coupe. We purchased a V-6 EX-L coupe in March 2013. The Accord was purchased to replace our 2009 Infiniti G37S, and we are happy with the swap.

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  Another outstanding Honda automobile It - 2013 Honda Accord
  By jaacolumbusnc - July 13 - 10:28 am

  It is now time to rate my 2013 Honda Accord EX-L, 4 cyl CVT. The car was purchased on 4 Jan 2013 from my salesperson Sharon G. at Dick Brooks Honda in Greer, SC. Suffice to say the entire experience was outstanding in all areas. I now have 9,500 miles and it is a flawless product. I just finished a 430 mile trip on 12 July from my home in Columbus, NC to Canton, GA in the same day. The total consumption of gas was 13.4 gallons. Driving included interstate, city, A/C and heavy traffic plus heavy rain. I could not be more satisfied in the handling of the car.

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  Best Overall Value after Hours of Research - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By mtayub - July 11 - 7:53 pm

  After much research, im a CRV Owner. Gas mileage in town is 27 Avg. Gas mileage on 2000 mile trip from Michigan to Alabama and back 29mpg. Econ mode on whole time. MPG AVG 28.7. Very Comfortable seats. Lots of leg and storage room for all passengers. Rear seats recline, love it. Low interior noise. Very High reliability. Blue tooth works great, and reads my text messages to me. I love the plastic stays nice longer. Its soft where it needs to be. I did significant research on 2013 CRV and 2013 Rav, I went with CRV. For 2013 CRV LX AWD Paid 24000 plus tax and plate. American Made in Ohio is a plus. Im pretty picky and hard to please, im extremely happy with my CRV.

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  3 days in and loving it! - 2013 Honda Civic
  By cbadca - July 11 - 3:25 pm

  I just leased a 2013 Honda Civic Coupe EX, and so far Im loving it! Now, to be fair, I upgraded from a 2000 Ford Focus LX with manual everything, so being enthusiastic about a new car wasnt a very tall order. I probably would have been just as happy with a new Yugo if there still was such a thing. But overall, I love the body style and interior design of the Coupe EX. The dash is laid out very well and all the controls are within easy reach. The ONLY potential downside I see is the quality of the cloth seats...Im just not sure how long that fabric is going to keep looking good. Handles very well, and is a nice smooth, quiet ride. Pretty good stereo system too with the 7 speakers.

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  Great Car - 2013 Honda Civic
  By frne - July 11 - 11:12 am

  The consumer reviews dont lie. This truly is a great car. I would suggest not getting the hybrid because the regular car on the econ mode can get 45 mpg. I use to own a VW Passat and am indescribably happy to get rid of it for my new Civic. I will never stray from Honda or Toyota ever again. The Civic is fun to drive, has a lot of nice features (pandora interface, econ mode, back up camera, ect), and is reliable. I rented a 2012 Honda Civic when I was in Boston and was really impressed with it. I ended up buying the 2013 version since its more refined. There is a reason you see so many Honda vehicles on the road...because they make a solid car that wont leave you stranded.

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  Sporty and Smooth - 2013 Honda Accord
  By cjoconn - July 10 - 9:43 am

  Purchased the car about a week ago and ive received nothing but compliments from people that have seen it. The car looks and feels sporty (i especially like the LED headlights and dual exhaust) and im getting a combined 29MPG on an even mix of city and highway driving over the first 200 miles with ECON not enabled. I plan on using the ECON feature on my next tank of gas to compare the difference. The inside is roomy and comfortable. The technology features are great, there is just so much you can do with all of the bluetooh enabled options. The NAV screen is large and has a crisp resoltuion and the rear and side cameras are a nice addition. Overall, a great experience so far.

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  Great value and sporty - 2013 Honda Accord
  By adansereau - July 9 - 8:01 am

  Just got the 2013 Accord sport white and loving it. Plenty of power, great mpg on first tank 28.6 some fooling wityh the shifters. I am looking forward to giving a better review in the coming months. Also Herb Chambers Seekonk Ma. is my dealer 6 cars in 6 years they do it right !!

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  Best Car Ever - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By dustygirl - July 2 - 3:23 pm

  Wish they still made them like this. I am the original owner of my 99 honda crv and now have 191,000 miles on it. No major problems...Just put a new radiator on it about two years ago, the old one just had a pin-hole leak. The original battery lasted 9 years and was still okay, but I decided Id just be safe rather than sorry and replaced it. Only issue I ever had with it was a bad clunking/thunking when going over even small uneven spots...it was a $12 fix and just needed a new bushing where the sway bar end link went in. We change the oil on time, and change the transmission fluid earlier than what it calls for. Ive checked valve clearance and theyve always been fine.

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  I Love my 2012 Insight Base model - 2013 Honda Insight
  By dnatech - July 1 - 5:43 am

  I am always surprised to see so few (I should say rarely) Insights on the road. Toyota Prius seem to be the only hybrid people think of. Not only the Prius is expensive, I am not so sure its a better car: Insight dashboard is better and the possibility of disabling the automatic traction(not available in the Prius) in case of getting stuck in the snow is a plus in the Northeast.

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  Very good vehicle - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By cultured_hick - June 30 - 2:13 pm

  We bought new in 12/2009, so have had for 3.5 years and only have 30k miles on, so mostly city driving. Never been in the shop except for oil and tires. Tires are 60k Michelins that wore out at 28k, but Michelin prorated replacement. It is a well thought out car when compared to competitors and much better value than the competitors. Engine is adequate, but certainly not a V8. Mileage is a little below represented, but likely 10% Ethanol in Gas is largely to blame. Thanks government. Get 21 Hwy and 16 City. Very stable on Hwy and great in snow. Third row is great and large carrying capacity when both rows down. Would definitely purchase again.