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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  Honda Civic EX coupe - 1997 Honda Civic
  By JMP - January 13 - 4:13 pm

  This is a great car.

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  Great car - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By stacy - January 13 - 3:53 pm

  The car drives wonderfully. Very quiet and comfortable drive. Fuel economy is wonderful, especially for an SUV. Great pick up, and lots of room!

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  Great Hybrid! - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Black 2010 Insight - January 13 - 12:50 am

  Of the hybrids Ive driven (Prius, Camry, Highlander, Civic), this drives the most like a "standard" vehicle. You will notice when the engine shuts off when stopped, or the regenerative breaking, but its not nearly as obvious as in other vehicles. This car is smooth, handles great (compared to the Prius, which is a great car, but drives like a toaster- oven on wheels), and relatively quiet. It also has pretty good power for a hybid -- the pick-up is there when you need to accelerate quickly.

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  Best small car ever owned - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Robert Redeker - January 12 - 11:23 pm

  Bought the car for the obvious reasons,Honda reputation and great gas mileage. I was a little hesitant because this was the first Japanese car I ever bought but I guess its hard to tell these days with parts of the car coming from everywhere including the u.s. and it being assembled in canada. This car is everything I hoped it would be and more. We get consistintly in the high 30s on mostly country back roads and hwys and on a recent mostly hwy trip we got 45 mpg. I do run synthetic oil and make sure the tires are properly inflated to optimize gas mileage. We have 26k on the car now and have had no problems whatsoever. We plan on trying to get 300k out of it and it looks good so far!

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  An Acura Rl at Half the Price - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Howard - January 12 - 2:30 pm

  This is an awsome car! In reality it is an Acura RL in 2 wheel drive instead of 4 wheel in the Acura RL at half the price. The performance is incredible! With 268 hp it should be. Gas mileage is great for a vehicle with this type of performance. The looks are georgeous. It has 5 star ratings in front crash, side crash and roll over. Plenty of room for 5 inside. There is no better car for the money IMHO

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  A+ for the Honda Pilot - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Daisy - January 11 - 1:40 pm

  The Pilot is a great SUV - fun to drive, pretty good gas mileage for a car this size, and features that are very easy to use. Also very comfortable to drive. You also make friends instantly - other people driving Pilots tend to wave at you.

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  Finally, logic built into a car - 2007 Honda Element
  By David Parks - January 10 - 4:45 pm

  The Element is the ultimate utilitarian vehicle. I love the flexibility of having a large cargo area. The entire interior is easy to clean, I am never worried about getting it muddy, wet, or dirty. There is tremendous flexibility with the cargo area since the seats go up. The AWD works great, Ive been through heavy snow with great results. On long drives I fit a twin size air mattress in the back and sleep 2 people. I can fit just about anything in the back (bikes, sofas, tons of gear, etc). It seems like every inch of this car is build purely on logic. Its a no frills car that is brilliant in its simplicity. Hey, it took genius to discover E=mc^2, the element follows in that tradition.

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  Miss C is awesome!! - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Louise Braam - January 10 - 2:32 pm

  I owned a 2014 Honda CRV and Im loving the 2016 CRV even more!!! The phone system works great with my iPhone! All the new gadgets are so much fun to learn and the right hand turn signal camera is great to have.

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  my new accord - 2005 Honda Accord
  By DRC - January 10 - 12:10 pm

  Handles very well, instruments easy to read and are well placed, navigation is easy to learn, GREAT power!!, probably one of the best cars ived owned for the price....

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  Love it - 2003 Honda Civic
  By stinkypants - January 10 - 12:01 pm

  No complaints. I drive this thing into the ground and its reliable day after day. Exactly what Id expect from Honda but with 40 mpg average.