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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  Should have bought years ago! - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Smokeybob - June 23 - 12:28 am

  Owned 5 fords & 1 chevy and finally decided to get out of the big truck mode. This was a huge decision and I am extremely please to say the right decision. What a great design, fun to drive and a pleasure to own. All this and I get to keep the extra dollars saved on gas. This is a solid built truck and does the job. Hard to believe the big three couldnt figure out how to put the trunk feature in the full size trucks or design seats that actually fold up and give real cargo space. Oh did I mention no rattles either. Dont but a truck without test driving the Ridgeline. Get over your manly belief that only a full size truck will do. You will be surprised & a lot happier you did. I did & I am!

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  Another Winner! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Tom4416 - June 22 - 9:20 pm

  This is our fourth Honda Accord in fifteen years and each one is better than the previous. Its quite incredible that Honda offers this package for so much less than an LX where there is only minimal differences. Ride, handling and especially acceleration are exceptional for a four cylinder. Gas mileage on the first tank was 33mpg - 70% highway. Price was $100 over cost with some extras thrown in (mudguards, pinstripe). Although I find Accords generally boring, this one is less so than previous years. Its still a generic car, just one that will never break (we average 150,000 miles per vehicle with no major repairs - ever). You really cant go wrong with this car and package.

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  The Perfect All Around Car for Me! - 2008 Honda Element
  By Lizzie - June 22 - 9:00 pm

  I am a manufacturers rep and drive many miles - Ive logged 67K miles in 15 months. My Element is reliable, roomy, has plenty of power on the highway, tons of room for me to carry my samples headroom to accommodate the tallest of passengers - legroom to spare this cute little SUV has it all...plus, the lack of carpet makes it so easy to keep clean - after a visit to the beach sweeping out the sand is a breeze. The best part, for me, is that its ultra easy for my two 80 lb Labradors to jump in and out of - The rear seats come out and give them a huge area. Also, the seats are washable - this is a plus when you have dogs with muddy feet or when you spill your coffee... the Element has it all!

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  Not in love with it - 2007 Honda Fit
  By RockyRaccoon - June 22 - 8:52 pm

  This car is fun to drive (in good weather) and gets great mileage, but beware of driving it in the rain or snow. It just doesnt handle snow and ice like all the other Hondas that Ive owned since 1974. I actually had to have it towed once and the snow wasnt really that deep. Tires are expensive and hard to find. A big part of the money you save in gas goes towards maintenance and tires. $$$ I should have purchased a Civic.

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  Unhappy with gas mileage - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By DW - June 22 - 7:15 pm

  I have yet to see 20 miles per gallon even on long trips and not going over 60 miles an hour.

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  Good Car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Ben - June 22 - 6:40 pm

  An amazing amount of stuff will fit into the Fit. On the road it is very smooth. Acceleration is surprising for a 1.5 liter engine. Mileage is good - around 32 mpg in real-world driving, but quite a bit short of the EPA figures, as usual. Fit and finish are great. Wish it had automatic headlight on-off like some cars do.

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  Very Good Minivan -- Expected Better - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By jsoto - June 22 - 6:10 pm

  Despite disliking minivans as a segment, we fell in love with the features and performance of the Ody Touring when we test drove one. But, we expected better reliability and engineering from Honda after we had had the care for a while. The PAX system is terrible. On our 3rd set with 45K miles. Harsh ride with vibrations. Honda gives run-around when investigating replacing with conventional tires. Gas mileage in our hilly area is 12-13MPG. On the highway, we can occasionally exceed 20MPG. Maintenance costs at dealer are higher than for our Nissan Pathfinder SUV with many more things going wrong over the first 4 years of ownership. Poor and outdated car navigation system.

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  Honda Milage - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By John - June 22 - 4:36 pm

  i have owed my 2006 cr-v from new. I use it as a taxi for airport transfers and regularly get 47 mpg from the 2.4 diesel engine. I can recommend this car to all.

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  Works great! - 2005 Honda Civic
  By excowdoc - June 22 - 11:20 am

  I have over 100,000 miles on the stick shift Civic and very little problems. The best mileage I got was 52 highway with the wind at my back. Consistently gets in the 40s except in very cold weather. The gear shift is its weakest point with occasional difficulties getting into reverse and the mechanics say is just the way this transmission is. I plan on running it into the ground because of the great mileage.

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  wife fell in love all over again - 2017 Honda CR V
  By plantman - June 22 - 3:31 am

  Just to give a little history on our prior buyer preferences, we have never owned a Honda and in 2009 looked at a civic for a runabout but did not like the dealers take it or leave it attitude. We have over the past 37 years owned a total of 22 GMC cars and trucks. So to say we are loyal General Motors fans is probably a bit of an understatement. Wife was in the market for a car to replace her current vehicle and had narrowed it down to an Envision or the 2018 Equinox. But to get the options she wanted ,was looking at spending 36 to 42 thousand. She was determined to do it for less than 30. So her idea is to test drive the new CRV 2017. On our way for a weekend at our beach house she decided since it was raining we could take the time to stop at the nearby Honda dealer an test drive the 17 CRV. Drove it, loved it, bought it. I must say it is the only car I have ever driven that I dont look for the speed control as soon as possible. That little engine and cvt feels like it is almost effortless to move this vehicle down the road, but getting over 31mpg in mixed driving . Reminds me of my duramax trucks like it has torque in reserve. Did have an emissions light come on after the first 300 miles took a week for the part to come in but was given a loaner at no charge while it was being fixed. Hopefully that was a rare occurrence and we will get to know the Honda reliability for ourselves. At this point I give the 2017 CRV a thumbs up.