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 VALUE - 2004 Honda Element
  By JELLYFILLED - November 4 - 10:00 am

  PURCHASED THE ELEMENT BECAUSE MY WIFE WOULDNT DRIVE A MINIVAN AND WAS EXPECTING OUR FIRST CHILD IN JULY. CARGO SPACE AND AWD WAS A PLUS. ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT A CHILD WAS UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR OR WINDOW FROM REAR SEAT.

• 

  Best ever - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By lukeboy - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Traded in a BMW 3 series because a new addition to the family. Its fun to drive. Very comfortable ride. Best car I have driven thus far.

• 

  V-6 A good Choice! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Mert Cheney - November 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd Honda and my first V-6. All were EX models. Most impressive with this car is the smoothness, quietness, and power of the drivetrain. Handling is crisp and the ride is more taut than my previous 99 almost to the point of being irritating. My old EX rode better. Overall I am very happy with this car.

• 

  Fantastic CAR!!! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By trbarner - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love my new car. It has great gas mileage, looks great, fun to drive, etc. I would buy another Honda in a minute.

• 

  Love our Ody! - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By go beavs - November 4 - 4:30 am

  Great van - fun to drive, very comfortable. I love the folding rear seats and extra 8th seat in the middle row. We can fit 8 people comfortably! I also love the power doors.

• 

  Its all up to you - 2007 Honda Civic
  By kflannery1 - November 3 - 10:50 pm

  Dont believe the epa ratings on the car. According to the epa mileage is 41/45 according to consumer reports mileage is 37 combined. After 6500 miles I am averaging 51 miles and as the weather has warmed my last two tank fulls were 57 and currently 62!! You will only receive these numbers if you learn to drive very conservatively but the good news is the instant mpg feedback indicator make this easy to do. This car rides as smooth and quiet and handles just as well as my 31,000 dollar Nissan Maxima. Interior room is adequate, I have 3 teenage boys and they never complain about the backseat.Finally if you dont mind a blue haired elderly lady passing you uphill as you try to save mileage GREAT

• 

  2016 CRV - theres no way you can go wrong!!! - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Maria - November 3 - 5:08 am

  Our 2nd CRV after owning a 2008 CRV-LX. The 2008 was trouble free except routine maintenance and one A/C clutch repair which cost $700. Other than that was a trouble free car. We traded it in for a 2016 EX as we wanted to have the bluetooth and backup/blind spot camera. Everything else is a plus in the EX model. We couldnt have been happier with the Honda CRV. Some folks have complained or mentioned about the CVT vibration issue. There is none whatsoever. There are a few things we miss from our 2008. The center dash had a few cubby holes for phone etc which are not present anymore. Also above the glove box was a secondary store place which is no longer present. But these are minor inconveniences we can adjust to as theres plenty of storage space in the car. Kudos to the Honda designers whove improved the car since 2008 and keep doing so.

• 

  Ill buy it again - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Sam Pearlstein - November 3 - 4:09 am

  I have enjoyed the looks of the car and its comfort. As it is now almost 10 years old it has fallen behind in technology. The car handles well in all conditions. Where I live in Upstate NY we have to deal with large volumes of snow and a second set of wheels with snow tires allows me to get around in the worst conditions. I have enjoyed my current vehicle so much that I plan to replace it with another 6 speed, 6 cylinder manual transmission Honda Accord Coupe.

• 

  Ill buy it again - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Sam Pearlstein - November 3 - 4:09 am

  I have enjoyed the looks of the car and its comfort. As it is now almost 10 years old it has fallen behind in technology. The car handles well in all conditions. Where I live in Upstate NY we have to deal with large volumes of snow and a second set of wheels with snow tires allows me to get around in the worst conditions. I have enjoyed my current vehicle so much that I plan to replace it with another 6 speed, 6 cylinder manual transmission Honda Accord Coupe.

• 

  Ill buy it again - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Sam Pearlstein - November 3 - 4:09 am

  I have enjoyed the looks of the car and its comfort. As it is now almost 10 years old it has fallen behind in technology. The car handles well in all conditions. Where I live in Upstate NY we have to deal with large volumes of snow and a second set of wheels with snow tires allows me to get around in the worst conditions. I have enjoyed my current vehicle so much that I plan to replace it with another 6 speed, 6 cylinder manual transmission Honda Accord Coupe.