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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  Best Value SUV - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Rwags - July 3 - 8:19 am

  Great family ride. Have 2 kids who play a lot of sports, and taking them and their friend to games has been a breeze. Have had 8 people in the Pilot including 6 10 year old boys and everyone fits with plenty of room. Even when I have fewer kids, the kids will elect to sit in the third row. Just goes to show you how much space it has.

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  CR new family car! - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By Elizabeth Essman - July 3 - 1:11 am

  You have to be ok with the range of view. First SUV for me and Im getting used to relying on back up camera and knowing my blind spots. Easier to adapt to than I previously thought.

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  CR new family car! - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By Elizabeth Essman - July 3 - 1:11 am

  You have to be ok with the range of view. First SUV for me and Im getting used to relying on back up camera and knowing my blind spots. Easier to adapt to than I previously thought.

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  CR new family car! - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By Elizabeth Essman - July 3 - 1:11 am

  You have to be ok with the range of view. First SUV for me and Im getting used to relying on back up camera and knowing my blind spots. Easier to adapt to than I previously thought.

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  Good Subcompact - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Mecheng_Fit Owner - July 2 - 10:13 pm

  Nice little car. I bought an AT Sport maybe should have waited for a MT Sport. The transmission consistently hunts at highway speeds (70-80mph) at any hint of an incline. The gas tank under the drivers seat encroaches on legroom. Excellent interior as well as handling and braking. MPG has been okay: 32-36. The 1.5L is not a typical Honda 4 cylinder, very coarse at high rpm (>4000rpm).

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  Great all-around car thats fun to drive - 2007 Honda Accord
  By d_mcg_kc - July 2 - 10:07 pm

  I purchased this car over the 2008+ models, since I prefer the previous body style. This car has been a delight to own thanks to its responsive engine, nimble handling, well-appointed and designed interior and impressive fuel economy. Ive averaged 27.5 mpg in mixed city/hwy driving with the A/C on full blast. Only complaint is a car at this level NEEDS to come with an auxiliary MP3 input jack. Im not wild about the standard Michelin tires, either. They are noisy and telegraph every pavement joint and bump through the steering column.

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  Great Car - 2009 Honda Element
  By BobMac3 - July 2 - 9:58 pm

  Ive always had Subarus but have found the maintenance costly in the last several years so Ive switched to a Honda Element LX. Ive only had it a day but love it already. The process of buying was very easy. There arent many used or new Es in my area of Concord, NH and Im looking forward to a long relationship. I thought the sunroof was impractical because it was in the rear where my Belgian Sheepdogs ride and it made the area too hot plus without the sunroof it was better insulated and quieter.

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  2002 Honda CR-V - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Donald - July 2 - 7:34 pm

  This is the second Honda CR-V Ive owned and I bought both of them used. My wife totaled our other one which was a 1999 model while trying to avoid hitting a deer, I wish she had just totaled the deer, it would have done less damage but, instead she veered off the road and hit a huge rock in a ditch and it cracked the transmission and obliterated the front end suspension. We have never had any problems out of either or our CR-Vs other than that. I have plenty of power for a 4 cylinder, itll do turnpike and interstate speeds all day long with no problem, and I can pull a small boat with it. The gas mileage is decent 24-26 highway and 19-21 around town.

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  Honda civics rock!! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By kelley - July 2 - 4:43 pm

  I previously owned a honda civic 2006, 2dr. Awesome little car. I got into an auto accident where I was extremely rear-ended. My car came out totaled and I had barely any injuries. With that tremendous accident I was surprised it didnt do more!! I went out a week or so later and bought a 2007 honda civic, 2dr. This car drives just as good if not better. Not to mention the blue book value after owning the car for a year, with almost 30,000 miles, went down only by like 1,000 bucks! Ridiculous.

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  Civic - 2006 Honda Civic
  By me - July 2 - 1:41 pm

  I have been very pleased with my Civic. Alot of people hate the interior but I enjoy the futuristic looks. The seats are very sturdy and comfortable, although the plastic and paint is like many said cheap and scratches easily. Sunroof, Ipod hookup, multiple airbags, digital speedometer have all been nice features. This car does get excellent gas mileage BUT at a price for power... very very poor passing power on 2 lane roads. With all that said it has been a very reliable car, just the normal wear and tear upkeep.