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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  Thank God I bought this car !! - 1997 Honda Accord
  By kaio - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Only maintenance and tire change over the past 3 years.

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  Best minivan money can buy - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By htown - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Awesome engine and loads of comfortable space. "King of the minivans"

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  Outshines my prior Lexuses! - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Steve Carlin - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Previously had a Lexus GS 400 and SC 300. Bought this as a commuter car in Boston. Quieter than either Lexus. Never a buzz or rattle. Adequate power, great ergonomics and engineering. Doesnt try to be more than it is (are you listening GM?), a great sedan.

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  Its Good - 2001 Honda Civic
  By bongo - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Roomy for a compact car. Family of four (two car seats) fit just fine. I was a former Nissan Sentra Driver and the Honda blows it away.

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  Good Purchase for Basic Trans - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Professor - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Wanted a low-cost, well-built, high reliable vehicle - 2001 Honda Civic. Been happy with my purchase. Though Ive read about some 1st-Year Model problems...Ive been fortunate not to have any. In fact...at every dealership maintenance service, I make sure all vehicle problems are addressed. Great fuel economy...and Honda reliability so far at almost 25,000 miles.

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  great car - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Harris - December 26 - 10:00 am

  this is a great car in everyway, to its handling, stlying, and comfort. it has great heavy reponsive steering, and great accleration for a 4 cyclinder. styling is great no imatations. it gives generous room in the front and the back. honda is also some-what cheap for example; no automactic windows and locks standard, and no ash tray for lighter, for a car almost $20k??!!

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  MUST OWN an Accord SE in your lifetime. - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Farhan - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Simply GREAT for the price as compared to competition.

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  The most Practical car - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Yahya - December 26 - 3:01 am

  i have owned this car for 2 years, i think this car is so nice, its comfortable, roomy, and has excellent performance. plus it is so practical for daily life. most people who own this car wont sell it easily, they just love it for all the perfect things in it like, the roomy interior, high performance, and excelllent handling. any one who has not tried this car, knows nothing about it, i really advise everyone to try it, and youll certainly love it!

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  2016 CR-V View from the Experience of a 2003 Owner - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By paula wilcox - December 25 - 11:58 pm

  Love Hondas. Ive had four of them. I loved my 2003 CR-V. After 13 years, it still ran great. It never demanded much maintenance. It just seemed time to get another. I bought a 2016 CR-V EX. The drive is smooth with a little wind and outside noise. It turns easily, which is good for U-turns and pulling into parking spaces. Gas mileage is better in the 2016. With the econ on, it gives 30+ mpg in the city as opposed to the 23 mpg in the 2003. The 2016 feels roomy and gives the sense of being strong and solid. The seats are comfortable. Whats wrong with it? What do I miss that my 2003 CR-V had? What I loved about the 2003 were the storage areas, big and small. That set it apart from just a regular car. The 2016 has less immediate cargo space. I expected the back seat to pull forward, if necessary. It doesnt. The backs of the seats do fold down perfectly flat, however, which will help for really large items. The 2016 has fewer little storage areas in the front. The center console typically lifts up and has a little storage room; but, because all the electronic ports are located in there, it doesnt have much room for storage. The glove compartment is adequate. The small cargo area, the glove compartment, and the small console area--thats it for storage. I miss the little niches in the corners of the console/table of the 2003. I slipped the handles of litter bags in those niches. Now I hang a litter bag on the blinker stick. A woman needs a litter bag in the car, particularly when her passengers are children. The rear door lifts up just like every other SUV. The 2003 rear door opened out. A door that opens out means it can be hip-bumped shut when your arms are full of grocery bags and other stuff. A door that opens up means you need a free hand to lower the door or push a button for it close. It means another trip to the car just to close the rear door. These are minor issues. The 2016 runs smooth and feels tight, secure, and roomy. But, it seems Honda made the interior more like a car and lost some benefits of being an SUV.

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  I love this car - 2009 Honda Fit
  By vwli - December 25 - 9:30 pm

  I bought a 2009 Fit Sports MT 2 weeks ago. It has good handling. The MPG is excellent (37 MPG 1st tank tripmeter / fill up calculation). The build quality is good. And I love the USB connectivity with iPod. The best of all, I can fit my bike (with front wheel off) standing up with the back seat folded. A lot of my friends are amazed by its functionality. The speakers are kind of weak and eventually I will replace them. To sum it all up, I am a happy Fit owner.