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:

• 

  Loved it except for windshield issue - 2003 Honda Element
  By Jan - August 13 - 10:28 pm

  Super for hauling 2 mountain bikes without disassembling any bike parts - both fit fine standing up in the back with seats out or seats hanging up on the side. Loved being able to sleep in it on road trips with all seats left in/just reclined (just put mesh fabric over windows with magnets to hold fabric in place.) Super dependable in the rain and snow. Excellent turning radius. Doors became problematic when I had two toddlers and had to park next to other cars at the grocery store and get them in and out. I had to replace 4 or 5 windshields because rocks caused cracks (I think it must be a design flaw.) Honda did cover the first one when we could not find a rock pock at the crack start.

• 

  Nice all around vehicle - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Rick - August 13 - 8:00 pm

  Just completed a 3500 mile road trip with the wife and all the luggage that brings. Drove well on freeways and secondary roads, also did did well in the southwestern sun and downpours back east. Mileage was 19.4 for the trip and though it runs well at eighty the gas mileage really takes a hit. It is a tight vehicle with no rattles, vibrations or sqeaks. My general use other than road trips is around town and to the hardware store. Honda did well as this is one great truck.

• 

  Honda 2008 Odyssey Ex-L RES & NAV - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By mbickles - August 13 - 7:46 pm

  We have had the van for close to a month now and it is everything we expected. The navigation system is not the best, but the screen that comes with it makes everything else easier to read/see. The navigation itself is always giving us the "easiest route" not the most economical one. The leather interior is so worth it and the speaker system is just fine. We paid $31,800 total (plus the 6% Indiana sales tax) and used an internet quote to get the price down to where we were happy. The gas mileage was the biggest negative, but we get about 17/21

• 

  Most Fun for the Money - 2014 Honda Civic
  By Citizen Dave - August 13 - 3:50 pm

  I wasnt sure it was worth my time to test drive this car, but im glad I did. I was looking for a sporty second car and chose this over the following vehicles, a low mileage Porsche Cayman, several low mileage Corvettes, Subaru BRZ and WRX, Scion FSR, Ford Mustang GT, and a Mazda Miata. The Si may not have the horsepower as the more expensive cars, but it has enough to be fun and keep you out of trouble and I still get comments on the stock exhaust note. The solid build quality, lack of rattles and other noises, and great Honda reliability make this car a winner. I have owned it for about 18 months and still enjoy it more than any other car I have owned, which have been many. I consistently get 26 mpg in town driving it moderately hard and 32 mpg on the highway at 75mph.

• 

  I Love My Car - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By 19sandyman - August 13 - 2:15 pm

  Hello all. I only bothered to register on this site to share the wonderful experience were having with our less than a week old white 2015 Honda CRV EX-L. This is our second CRV and third Honda. I read all of the reviews warning of vibration, so I was on heightened alert during our test drive. Our vehicle was warmed up and we took it for a good test drive. No problems. Not at stoplights, the highway, nor around town. Can I feel the engine running? Yes. Is it at all different from my previous Honda? No. Im not discounting any of you that have problems. All I am saying is test drive the one youre going to purchase. Go for a long drive and see for yourself. Ours is great!

• 

  A great People and Stuff Mover - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By S Oswald - August 13 - 1:26 pm

  This is my favorite vehicle to drive. Im not sure what is different about my Pilot, but Ive got plenty of acceleration on demand. So much so, Ive caught myself by surprise and squealed the tires while leaving a parking lot. Ive never owned a new car before but I came into this expecting Honda reliability and my Pilot has kept up its end of the bargain. The only parts that have needed replacement or adjustment were minor and the dealer replaced them quickly and under warranty. Fuel economy is better than the EPA estimate with 24 average MPG on the interstate, city mileage is worse at 14 average MPG but I live in a city with quite a few hills.

• 

  Poor Transmission Quality - Buyer Beware - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Jeremy - August 13 - 12:37 pm

  After 88K miles, the transmission started slipping dangerously while my wife was driving with our two young children on the highway. Although the vehicle was serviced appropriately by a Honda dealer, so far, American Honda has been unable to provide any assistance on fixing the $5600 repair that I was quoted. Apparently, you need to have purchased 7-8 Hondas before they are willing to help, not spent $70K on Hondas over the last decade as I have done. Unless you want to have to pay for costly repairs to a 6 year old car with relatively low miles, avoid this vehicle (and all V6 models between 1999 and 2005) because there is a known defect with their transmissions.

• 

  Fit to drive - 2009 Honda Fit
  By ProfBAM - August 13 - 5:43 am

  We built a new home and went from 2.3 mi to 23 mi commute, about 18 miles on 2-lane state highway. After much research, I settled on the Fit to replace my 10 yr old F150 for the drive. After 2,500 miles, avg. 34.3 MPG (about 4 less than given by the trip odometer!). Handles well, ride is great but a little noisy, good cargo and passenger room, dash and controls are excellent. Smooth downshift and accelerate out of turns.

• 

  Two Years and No Complaints! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Nicole - August 12 - 8:43 pm

  I have had the Civic for over two years now and I think its a great car. It gets excellent gas mileage I get 32mpg city and if I do a lot of highway I get about 38mpg, I have gotten 400 miles to a tank. It feels like a well made car and I think for the price it is an excellent car that will last a long time, Im planning on driving it into the ground. My only small complaint is it is not very good in the snow, but I would rather have that a few times a year than have to pay out the rear for a gas guzzling SUV. Its a sporty fun little car that gets alot of looks and is fun to drive!

• 

  Really Love This Car - 2009 Honda Element
  By Francois - August 12 - 5:39 pm

  Elements have long caught my eye, and with passing years Ive known more and more people who have and love them. We finally took the plunge and wish we hadnt waited so long. Its a great car for all our needs. We took it on a camping trip recently and got fantastic mileage. The doors feel and sound as solid as our old Volvo-- impressively heavy metal. Great handling, and we love those wide doors for packing and unloading.