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:

• 

  road noise - 2005 Honda Accord
  By tom small - November 21 - 10:23 pm

  a high level of wind sound in windows and also much road noise thru vehicle .

• 

  No sport sedan - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Larry - November 21 - 5:40 pm

  Just picked up this car yesterday and drove it about 150 miles - highway and city. I have been driving a 1990 Acura Legend Sedan, but also recently owned and driven a 2004 Accord V-6 Coupe and 2004 S2000. Moving to Manhattan, we kept the old car and sold the others. I have to say I am disappointed. The Acura STILL was a far sportier driver than this new car, too "Buick" like. It may have stolen its lines from BMW but it does not drive like one - this is NOT a drivers car. BEWARE former Honda owners, this car is now a Toyota Avalon. And you can DEFINITELY feel the engine switch modes.

• 

  The Roaring Accord - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Mich - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Good pickup, nice color(eternal blue pearl)

• 

  honda crv 2001 - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By jan - November 18 - 2:00 am

  overall the vehicle is wonderful.... the only things i do not like are the power lock button is only on the driver door and the engine makes way too much nosie when driving on the hwy

• 

  I Love My Passport - 2002 Honda Passport
  By SUVLover - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven my passport for a long time now. No problems and its been incredible to drive. Smooth, powerful engine, looks great and handles like a sports car

• 

  2017 Ridgeline Ups and Downs - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Rick Perkins - November 17 - 1:36 am

  If you need a hauling vehicle that you dont mind using on a first date, the Ridgeline wont disappoint you. If you are a previous Ridgeline owner, you might have to overlook a few changes. Im not going into the technical specs. Trading in my silver 2008 RTL for a white 2017 RTL-T last month, Im still making some adjustments. Navigation and electronics: big upgrade. Little changes: Lock placement on glove compartment- Great; change in placement of rear sliding window-Bad (I did not get sliding window on my truck). Biggest adjustment: moving shifter from steering column to floor console eliminates several interior storage compartments that proved very useful in my 2008 truck. Biggest disappointment: I expected a better increase is gas mileage. My wifes hybrid makes me look like Im a gas guzzler. Most unique feature is still the "under the bed trunk". This feature, along with the comfortable interior and overall Honda quality, eliminated the competition for me.

• 

  Guzzle Guzzle - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By hbhonda99 - November 16 - 5:16 am

  EPA 23 to 27? Was that measured while going straight down hill? Combined freeway and street driving is 19 mpg and that was with the cruise control while on the freeway. Hitting reset after tanking up then driving 10 miles in town displayed 15 MPG, about the same as my 4200 pound VW Vanagon and not even close to a 2001 C280 Mercedes 6 or a BMW 325 6 cyl, both German cars get from 25 to 34 mpg on the freeway. This reminds me, it did get 27 mpg on the freeway but that ended when the first hill was approached, then engine shifted and spun up to 5,000 rpm and the MPG display crashed to the low teens. Sorry Honda, but this is no gas miser, it guzzles!

• 

  Seriously Indulging - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Si Senor - November 15 - 9:43 pm

  Bought this car a little over a year ago. Still just as pleased as I was then as I am now. Car drives very well for the function that it serves, can be driven as a fuel efficient commuter or racy sports car. I, on avg, get about 24-27 MIXED mpg and when driving more conservatively I can get this up to 31-32 mpg, believe it or not. As almost everyone else says, this car is fun to drive and master. The engine note at 6000 RPMS is really cool to hear, really feels as if youre driving a more exotic sports car. In this price point some of these features are hard to beat. I drove this car to its limits after the break in period and still enjoy doing so, though not as often, fuel efficiency. :)

• 

  So far so good! - 2004 Honda Element
  By G. Luna - November 13 - 6:44 pm

  Ive logged less than 1,000 miles but will be driving it across the country in a few days so I should know more soon. My German Shepherd likes it a lot more than my last car a 2dr 1997 Jeep Wrangler. More comfortable and AC! The exterior has its share of scratches and dings but I live on the Navajo reservation so I can expect some exterior wear with no worries. Not a beast but it cruises at a decent speed. RPMs jump when climbing modest grades. Functional vehicle.

• 

  Honda Fit sport 2008 mpg over 30 noway - 2008 Honda Fit
  By thurst1963 - November 13 - 3:46 am

  Well first off I gave the 2008 Honda fit sport auto trans 10 rating on every thing I really really like this car I had driven this car in Brazil in 2004 way before they came here and just fell head or heals for the car but I drive this car to work at 5.00am no traffic all highway 15 miles one way so we will say 80-85 % highway and that is low the first 700 miles I got 17 mpg from 700 to 1600 got 24 mpg drove from Champaign il to Cincinnati last week end all highway no stopping 70 miles per got 27 mpg then Champaign to ind 2 days ago got 28 mpg so if it was summer and I had the ac on and driving in a city I cant see more then 17 or 18 mpg so I will be trading this in soon for a Toyota