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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  The car to buy if you want a low maintenance car - 2012 Honda Fit
  By Derek M - December 4 - 10:39 am

  This car is overall designed well, but is by no means a feature vehicle. Its front wheel drive, is peppy but not at all fast, has 185 width stock tires (so youre not going to scream around corners), and the paint quality is atrocious. Expect every single dent, scratch, etc. to show up visibly on the paint. I have the silver paint, and almost anything will chip the thin paint or scratch it. The stock shocks and struts are a joke. After driving it for about a year or two, they give way to serious body lean that makes braking hard dangerous. I swapped out the crappy stock shocks and struts with Eibach and Tien, which are stiffer, but corrects the unnecessary body lean and shortens the stopping distance much more. I also upgraded from 185 width tires to 195 width to add more stability because 185 width are just junk. The tire pressure on the 185 kept getting low, even with new tires. So I just changed to 195 width and the tire pressure holds far better now. I believe you can add 205 or possibly 215 width max on the Fit. There are a good amount of light bulbs, with 8 to maintain in the front and the back lights as well. You are able to replace these all yourself, you can find videos online that will show how to do so (pretty similar to older acura/honda). The manual says to only run 87 gas, running 91 I saw no difference in performance whatsoever. This car takes only synthetic oil, and recommends only using top tier gas (no unbranded/generic mom and pop shops). My car began to pronounce the exhaust pretty loudly, and it sounds like I put a modified exhaust on my car even though the entire intake/mid/exhaust setup is stock (I dont know if other people experience this, its an automatic). The electronic controls performance and design is excellent, everything is very intelligently engineered and I have had no problems. The USB connection is in the top glove compartment (the bottom one is the regular glove compartment), and I just put MP3 music on a flash drive and its out of sight out of mind. The car has an audio jack input, but be careful because the rubber piece that protects it very easily comes off. Also, when maintaining the air filter, there is a solid attachment in the front with small clips on the side. The small clips on the side are prone to breaking, so be careful. I am 62" and am able to sit in the front seat fine. The backseat can hold adults, but the recommended total weight to have in the car is only about 850lbs. The major positives of the vehicle are that it is an easy to drive vehicle, there are a good amount of cupholders in the front and in the back, the interior volume space is massive for the vehicle size, the visibility from the inside is great, and that reliability on the engine/transmission and electronics is excellent. I bought my 2012 Fit in 2011 and havent had to perform a single repair for anything, just purely maintenance and optional upgrades. This is a putt putt for getting around with some pep and good gas mileage, but its no Corvette or Prius. A well designed (overall) low maintenance ride.

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  Amazing Engine - 2011 Honda Accord
  By Honda Lover11212 - December 2 - 2:37 pm

  this car is powerful for Honda. Amazing power voommmmm. MPG is average for what its worth..

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  My 3rd Accord...the Best Accord - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Jim - December 2 - 12:26 pm

  Replaced my 2005 EX-L with the 2015. Had zero problems with the 05, but time for something new. This new Accord is much more refined that the 05. Wayyy less interior noise, smoother ride, nicer interior. The CVT is smooth. It takes a while to get used to, but after a few weeks you figure out how much pressure you need on the accelerator to get the CVT to shift points. Love the side view camera. I use it all the time. I do not find the seats uncomfortable at all, but it did require some tweaking to get the adjustments right. The sound system also requires a bit of tweaking to improve the sound. Go to Youtube and there is a video where the tweak are explained. Gas mileage is great and matches the published mileage. I was seriously looking at the Mazda 6, but in my opinion the Accord is a more refined vehicle with much less interior noise and similar acceleration + gas mileage.

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  4 wheel motor cycle - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Bill edwards - December 1 - 9:33 am

  Have owned S2000 since 2006. Quick and dangerous (if your not paying attention). After 6500 rpm this car really is fun. My favorite is driving in 3rd gear between 6500 & 7000 rpm in traffic. It screams loud enough that drivers beside me think the pistons are about to swap holes in the engine :) Hard to imagine a replacement after 10 yrs. car is in pristine condition. Thinking of Lexus RC 150, but the Honda is still a lot of fun. For gas consumption, it uses all in the tank, as who cares what the mileage is! Cheers -ga

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  Great Car After Vibration Fix was Made - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By bob c - November 27 - 5:15 pm

  I was very happy with the 2015 CRV until I noticed the car had vibration problems at idle, between 20-30mph and when accelerating. The more I drove it, the more I hated it because I was very annoyed that I just spent over $23K for a car I did not like driving. Honda did come up with a software fix that was applied to my car, and Honda nailed it!! All the issues went away and I now enjoy driving the car. Now that I also understand how the CVT transmission works, I realize that the lack of gears shifting makes the drive perfectly smooth. The car has a lot to offer for the money, and I would recommend it as long as you make sure the vibration problems get corrected.

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  Comfortable, safe, good value - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Bret Bellamy - November 27 - 2:22 pm

  I am very pleased with my 2015 Honda Civic SE sedan. This is my fifth Honda Civic in almost 23 years. This is a very comfortable, safe, and refined car with good acceleration, great brakes and handling. The car feels very stable and secure at all speeds, city or highway. This is car is a very good value.

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  Great car - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Justin - November 27 - 8:58 am

  This is a great, reliable car. I have over 150,000 miles on it and its been holding up very well. Also had an accident and repair was relatively inexpensive. Note: I rated the technology above based on the year the car was made - 2006.

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  Got a great closout bargain - 2015 Honda Crosstour
  By Craig Holcombe - November 25 - 4:22 pm

  My wife and I were looking to replace our trusty 2002 Odyssey after our boys had grown and were originally looking at a Subaru. Then my wife remembered that she had driven a Crosstour one time when our van was being serviced and really liked it, so why not check that out? One left at the dealer as they were discontinuing the model, at 20% below MSRP. Took it for a test drive and bought it on the spot. Great car to drive, responsive and handles very well. The controls are well laid out, and i really like the cool blue color. The interior is very comfortable and I am looking forward to doing an extended road trip soon. Very pleased with the purchase, and glad we got one before they were all taken!

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  200000 miles and drives like new - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Richard Kling - November 24 - 10:33 pm

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  Great Car, Great Value - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Steve Linthicum - November 22 - 5:45 pm

  It is a wonder to me that Hondas of this vintage are still a common site on the roads.