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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  well worth it!!! - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Paul - January 2 - 7:17 pm

  There is absolutely nothing mechanically wrong with this auto .. I am going to up-grade to a newer model, same style Honda Odyssey

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  Awesome - 2012 Honda Civic
  By Anthony - January 1 - 10:11 pm

  I have a 2012 Honda Civic EX sedan all black. And to be honest its the greatest car I have owned yet. Comfort is amazing, sport look to it, and I get great gas mililage to. Since I bought I had to put in a battery only because the owner before me had a smaller one in it. Im planning on the staying with the civic. Plus it lowered my car insurance to. I like the whole set up of the car and technology of it.

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  a bit of fun each day - 2015 Honda Fit
  By jamie bailey - December 31 - 9:09 pm

  I traded a 2014 CR-V for a 2015 Fit, sort of an impulse buy. The Fit had $1500 off the price, and the dealer gave me max blue book for my CR-V. I wanted a manual shift car again, so I bought the Fit. Have had it for 1 month, and driven 3000 miles. First off, theres just two of us in my house, my wife and I. Kids are moved out, so I dont need the monster cars/trucks I used to drive. The Fit has plenty of room for me to commute to work, and doesnt feel cramped. I am only 58", so I have plenty of room. A friend of mine who is much taller complained a bit about leg room in the front passenger seat, and he did look a bit cramped. I drive 32 miles each way to work, 45-55mph with some stop and go. Been averaging 38mpg. My wife and I just got home from a 1200 mile round trip from Michigan to Iowa, and found the car comfortable for the trip (9 hours each way, only stopping for fuel). My wife slept most of the trip home through the night, so I call the comfort OK. We carried a lot of gifts, the dogs crate, a small wooden baby cradle, luggage, etc, with no problem. Lots of room!! My wife also says the car is easy to get in and out of. She complained about the seats in my CR-V, she says the Fit has much better seats, at least for her. Wind noise is at least as quiet as my CR-V was, and although I can hear the engine at 70-75mph (3500rpm) it is a pleasing sound to me, not a drone or annoying sound. (I honestly think its what lulled my wife to sleep during the trip) We also had a pretty nasty snow/ice storm while in Cedar Rapids, and we drove the Fit through some pretty ugly conditions. It handled better than I thought it would in the snow. Ive had all wheel drive for years and was a bit worried, but the Fit did OK. A couple of things I dont like. As almost everyone else says, the radio needs a knob for volume. Nothing like getting in the car at 5 in the morning and the radio comes on at ear bleed volume where I left it when I got home the night before. Try turning it down quickly before waking the neighbors....good luck. Also, sometimes my iPhone and the Pandora / iPod function dont act nice when restarting the car after a stop. Most times Pandora (or Tunein, or anything else that was playing when I stopped the car) restarts playing with no problems, but occasionally I have to unplug the phone and plug it back in before itll play again. The car also seems to fog up easier than the CR-V did and I need to use defrost setting more than I am used to. Bluetooth phone functions flawlessly. Finally, the car is really fun to drive. The six speed shifter is short throw and precise, and the engine revs freely and pulls nicely. Its not a racer by any means, but it isnt slow. Highway on ramps are fun again. I really enjoy driving it. I enjoyed my CR-V as well, the Fit is just a bit more fun.

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  Meets my needs! - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By Jim Thwaites - December 31 - 11:57 am

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  It s a keeper ! - 2015 Honda Crosstour
  By HanDuyenDat - December 31 - 7:02 am

  You have to drive the car to appreciate it, not just by looking and professional reviews, not a sport car more like touring.

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  Lots of small problems - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By Don - December 30 - 8:11 pm

  The oil pan leaked off of the lot, steering column squeaks, the headrest forces your head to tilt down, and the sliding door roller makes a pulsing/tapping sound. This car has been garaged and parts are defective from the factory.

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  Transmission Failure - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By MP - December 30 - 3:58 pm

  I purchases this vehicle in August of 2015. I put roughly 3,300 miles on it. While driving it on December 12 the transmission failed and I was stuck on the side of the Hwy waiting 4 hours for a tow truck. The dealer replaced the transmission and I was able to pick up my vehicle yesterday December 29th. On the way home I noticed a couple odd sounds while driving at highway speeds (55-60 mph). I now have about 3,400 miles on the car so it will be interesting to see if the transmission simply needs a break in period or if I will experience this trouble again. I love everything else about the vehicle, I am just hoping that it will be reliable from this point forward.

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  Other than the head restraint... - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By ER - December 30 - 10:32 am

  This is my first and only minivan. I went into the dealership to purchase a Honda Pilot based on liking my friends so much. Well, the new model rode so rough I changed my mind. Well, the salesman slid me right into an Odyssey...I loved everything about it! I was shocked how much I immediately liked it! I drove it for quite some time that day. It even got two thumbs up from my son who easily gets car sickness in the third row. The room, the comfort (except for the ill angled head rests), the power doors and lift gate, the roominess in the 2nd and 3rd rows, the flexibility of the technology, the large cargo space.....everything. I loved it so much I did some quick research on my phone then I completely tossed aside my stigma of driving a minivan and signed the papers. The only technical difficulties I have had have been the drivers side sliding door can be temperamental and the lift gate sometimes doesnt go down automatically when button is depressed. Both issues have been extremely intermittent and are an annoyance. It does have more road noise than I was used to as well. I have had no problems other problems listed by others. I have replaced the tires and the battery. However, I will say the drivers seat has become increasing uncomfortable for me. It started with the test drive when I noticed the oddly angled head restraints, certainly not rests, and thought I could get used to them....NOPE. The seat has grown increasingly uncomfortable for me despite any of the adjustments I have made. I have since learned I do have back problems, unrelated to the seat, but it sure didnt help. Let me say I have owned a large variety of cars/trucks 68-2011 Chevy, Ford, Landcruiser, Saturn, VW, Lincoln, and Dodge. I can say this is the most uncomfortable seat I have ever sat in. It is causing me to look at a trade in due to the seat however, I learned this angle is a recent Federal mandate in hopes of lessening whiplash. I have a feeling Ill be looking at used 2011 and older. It pains me to let go due to sentimental attachment and how well this van still fits our family but the pain has got to go. I had planned on driving it until the wheels fall off! Until then, I will continue to use my supportive and corrective seat and back support pillows. Two friends have purchased the exact same vehicle, are much shorter than 56 and have had the same complaints: sore back, leg numbness, tailbone pain, and general discomfort so while I have back trouble this does point to an uncomfortable drivers seat.

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  Ex 2 door manual - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Michael - December 30 - 8:24 am

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  Floridian Cajun Si-er - 2012 Honda Civic
  By Dave - December 30 - 1:28 am

  Great car for the money!! Lots of power from the K24 engine, even though a turbo would be really sweet. A bit too much cost cutting for 2012 interior plastics cheap, but better than a 80-90s Big 3 car sway bars thinner than previous generation and the 2013-2015. A "sport minded" car should have full instrumentation, not idiot lights!! And the tach doesnt need to be so big. Radio is great, iMid is great, big speedometer at eye level great. Needs a rear window wiper. Economy great! One trip from TN to FL at 80 mph got 36mpg! Not as good as a an EX or LX, but way better than my old Camaro. Would definitely buy another, cant wait to try out the 2017 Si.