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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  CRV Delivers as promised - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Lawrencer2003 - October 29 - 10:17 am

  Picked up my CRV last week. Replacing a beloved 100K+ subie wagon. Tested RAV4, Subie Outback, Prius, Rougue, Accord. Loaded up a pile of camping gear, my 14 year old kid and dogs this weekend. Amazing cargo capacity, great handling and super comfortable. Now as to the critics and some consumers saying the car is under powered. Bull! It moves out smartly, flies up steep grades and passes with confidence on hilly interstates. Nuff said. Im extremely happy with my decision. 24MPG so far and a great stablemate to my 2002 LL Bean Outback.

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  FUN (THING) - 2004 Honda Element
  By AC242 - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I BOUGHT THE VEHICAL OUT OF PURE CURIOSITY. AFTER OWNING IT FOR A MONTH OR SO, I DECIDED TO BUY A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT. NOT KNOWING IF THE ELEMENT COULD TOW IT OR NOT I FIGURED I WOULD GIVE IT A TRY. AFTER MY FIRST LAKE TRIP I WAS CONVINCED I HAD PURCHASED ONE OF THE COOLEST DAMN THINGS EVER. IT TOWS GREAT! THEN I GOT TO CAMP IN IT AND REALLY ENJOYED STAYING INSIDE RATHER THAN OUT! ITS LIKE A MINI-MOBLE HOME! THE BEST PART WAS, I HAD TO PULL OUT A 04 DODGE RAM THAT WAS STUCK. FUNNY B/C I JUST TRADED THAT TRUCK OFF FOR MY "E". AMEN FOR AWD!

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  MOST VERSITILE - 2004 Honda Element
  By stlouis a.k - October 29 - 10:00 am

  COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES IN ITS CLASS THE EXTERIOR DESIGN AND MAKER MADE ME CHOOSE THE HONDA ELEMENT.THIS IS THE FOURTH HONDA IV OWNED,THE PREVIOUS THREE WERE GREAT CARS AND THE ELEMENT IS NO EXCEPTION.I LOVE THE VERSITILITY OF THE INTERIOR AND THE SMOOTH PICKUP OF THE ENGINE.THE DENT RESISTANT BUMPERS ALSO COMES IN HANDY.

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  From commuter to Pilot and Lovin It. - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Jim Brownell - October 29 - 10:00 am

  We recently bought a Pilot as we purchased a new home on a private road and needed AWD. We searched every model possible and found the Pilot as the best SUV for the money. This vehicle has exceeded our expectations. It is comfortable, flexible, entertaining and fun to drive. Being a former Maxima driver I know about the fun to drive factor. Our only disappointment is the low fuel mileage (sub 20mpg) and the inability to open the hatch window like the Hyundai Santa Fe and the ommission of standard fog lights. Overall this Pilot flies high in our minds.

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  Great value, fun car - 2002 Honda Civic
  By MichiganDan - October 29 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I were looking for a new car, but Im not partial to investments that lost 25% of their value in the first 10 minutes you own them, so we went with pre-owned. The 2002 Civc is a great car. Fun, stylish, and sexy to drive, its as reliable as it can be -- no problems yet -- and its quite affordable, too. If youre like us, and you want a reliable, affordable car that can comfortably seat 4 or 5 and is fun on the road, look for a Civic.

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  arthritic car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By wils - October 29 - 10:00 am

  good car but has arthritis. left front door creaks, ceiling creaks, rt back speaker rumbles, and at 10,000 miles, the clutch pedal creaks with crepitus and a creaking noise from rt rear seat around trunk creaks. otherwise, car runs great, excellent mileage, comfortable seats, great ergonomics, good a/c, maybe the assemblers had a hangover when they assembled my car! hopefully dealer will address these issues, still will buy another honda.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By JSDC - October 29 - 4:26 am

  This is the best van on the market.I have been in other vans both American and Japanese but this is the best. All the controls are rock solid and the engine goes from 6 to 3 cylinders without any noticable difference in engine power.The seats are great and easy to convert.I would recomend this van to anyone. Its the best. It drives and handles like a car and the engine has the power needed to pass without any difficulty.

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  Amazing car! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Jim - October 29 - 4:00 am

  I have had my Belize Blue 2008 Accord Coupe V6 6-speed with navigation for nearly 3 weeks. All I can say - what an amazing car! Nothing but excellent ratings (except for gas milage, which should improve as the car breaks in). The Accord couple is great fun to drive, especially with the 6-speed manual transmission. If this car was any faster, it would be scary! I traded a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS V6 5-speed manual, and there is no comparison. I would highly recommend this car to anyone - and if you like to drive a "sports car", get the V6 6- speed. Navigation system and Bluetooth are very functional. I have received many compliments from strangers on my Accord!

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  I love this car! - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By ken guiles - October 29 - 3:53 am

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  Excellant Sedan For The Money - 2009 Honda Accord
  By ge54 - October 28 - 4:00 pm

  There is a lot to like and little to dislike about this car. Interior design, exterior design and build quality are excellent. The engine has adequate power, the dash layout is great - backlit instruments, user- friendly A/C and radio controls (no problem with the button stack layout) and plenty of bins and cup holders. The seats are a bit firm but not uncomfortable around town, still waiting to take a long trip. Road noise is higher than my previous Camry but not bad enough for a big complaint. Gas mileage so far is 22 city which should improve over time. Excellent handling. Got the car for invoice, including dealer add-ons, plus an additional $1000 discount. Excellent dealer relationship.