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:

• 

  GREAT CAR EXCEPT PAINT - 2004 Honda Civic
  By RS LOVE - October 26 - 10:00 am

  PICKED THIS CAR UP 3 WKS AGO AND FIRST TIME IT WAS WASHED WE NOTICED SLOPPY PAINT AROUND INTERIOR DOOR PANELS VISIBLE FROM INSIDE WHEN DOOR CLOSED. WITHIN TWO WEEKS A LIGHT MUSTARD COLOR BEGAN TO SHOW THRU THE WHITE PAINT ON FRONT LOWER "AIR DAM" PANEL. RETURNED TO DEALER WITH REQUEST FOR NEW CAR BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED TO REPAIR PAINT. NOT HAVING TOTAL FACTORY PAINT IS A BUMMER, ESPECIALLY ON A NEW HONDA. SERVICE MANAGER STATED PAINT PROBLEM - "ITS BECAUSE THEIR MAKING THEM SO FAST" (DEMAND AND ALL THAT). WOULD ADVISE NEW OWNERS TO INSPECT CAR CAREFULLY BEFORE TAKING FINAL DELIVERY. ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF CAR FINE.

• 

  Nearly perfect MINI SUV except power - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By wz4wwk - October 26 - 2:00 am

  It is a Honda, and as expected, its reliability, build quality, and comfort make a nearly perfect balance. As far as a mini SUVs are concerned, you cant beat CR-Vs interior space. One thing that makes me say that it is only a near perfect about this car is its fuel economy and power. My 2001 CR- V LX is slower than my Moms 11-year old 1991 Accord EX on uphill freeways. I constantly get about 22.5 MPG (combined) which is worse than my other car (1999 Nissan Maxima with automatic transmission). How does Honda explain that a 4-cyl 2.0 liter engine gets poorer MPG than a 6-cyl 3.0 liter engine?

• 

  2006 Civic EX Coupe - 2006 Honda Civic
  By minilops - October 25 - 6:43 pm

  I have had my new car since October, and it has been in the shop twice. The SBS light sensor had to be replaced (it stayed on) and the Recall on the gas petal taken care of. Plus when I plug in my cell phone, the fuses blow. The highest gas mileage is 28mpg highway. Now there is a racing engine sound when I am driving, so I am going to have to return it again... Would I buy it all over? NO!

• 

  great van so far , but poor mileage - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By 2007 van - October 23 - 4:50 am

  Great van so far never have any problems yet. A little road noise compare to 02 odyssey. Sliding doors hard to open also when closed especially from outside. Handling and steering very nice. Poor gas mileage average 16 in town, dealer said after 5000 miles will improved. Only like style changing from 02 model.

• 

  A decent compromise - 2010 Honda Insight
  By mheikka - October 22 - 12:40 pm

  The 2010 Insight is a decent compromise for the money. It is a good second or commuter-only car, provided your other car can carry all of the people and junk in your life. Despite having 4 doors, it is really a 2 seater car with room for 5 year old children occasionally. Most of the complaints (modest acceleration, engine noise, small back seat, blind spots, road noise, A/C shuts off at stoplights, short seat cushions, etc.) are true, but not unexpected for a small, inexpensive commuter hybrid. If you want a solid little commuter with its associated compromises, it is a solid choice.

• 

  06 Civic LX - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Hud - October 21 - 6:10 am

  Im 61" and heavy. I find the only complaint I have about comfort is the e-brake handle is exactly where my knee rests. It really bothers me, but shorter people will be fine. The interior layout is great, speedometer is easy to read and great location. The car could use an optional more powerful engine, instead of having to jump up to the SI. Great car.

• 

  Lude is good! - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By Steva - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Its a fun car, great handeling, good torque, solid built. I have the 4WS and it makes tight turns much easier, but its just another thing that can go wrong. I have had the car for 11K miles and the besides the regular maintainence I have had some electrical things go out and it cost $150 to fix, not bad. Sometimes when I turn the car off for a few minutes and turn it on again the 4WS light stays on ( which means that there is a prolem with the 4WS) so I turn the car on and off a few times untill it goes away. The rest of the car is realiable and should last a while.

• 

  Caveat Emptor, Nice People - 1996 Honda Accord
  By Foster - October 21 - 2:00 am

  My experience with the 1996 Accord could have been worse. It is quite well- made the seats are comfortable and the controls are well-placed. Rear visibility is fairly bad, however, and exhaust system problems have plagued the car since my purchase. Acceleration with the base SOHC engine is acceptable for normal driving, but highway merges on short onramps are unpleasant. Again, though, the car could be much worse.

• 

  dashboard problem - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Patrick Le Beau - October 20 - 2:00 am

  With less than 1000 miles on my new 2017 truck I get a message on my dashboard between the speedometer and the tach that there is a problem with just about all the systems on the truck. There are no problems , but the computer says there are. Something is wrong with the wireing system . A new wireing harness must be ordered. I will update this to see if this cures the problem.

• 

  Love After All These Years - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By chefjefe - October 18 - 2:00 am

  My Lude has been with me for 4 years now. 70K miles later, I still get giddy every time the tach winds past 5,200 rpm. I have added a AEM intake, stainless header, and SuperSprint Exhaust, which has added to the fun both power and sound-wise. The acceleration and handling are still there, and the car is as stylish and comfortable as ever. A true winner!