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:

• 

  New Hybrid Owner - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Amanda Trumble - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my Hybrid this weekend but so far I think its fantastic compared to the Kia Sportage that I did have. I bought it for $19,200 but I had to add a little on since I was upside down on my Kia (a $10,000 depreciation in a little over a year!) I was scared it wouldnt have much power but it has more get-up-and-go than my Kia did, plus its so quiet and smooth. I drive 35 miles one way to work and averaged 45.6mpg (17mpg with my Kia).

• 

  WOW, from newly retired Honda Hater! - 2003 Honda Accord
  By jjic - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Great Handling & Power! This car REALLY moves with that V6 - no joking! The interior design is professionally crafted . . . This IS ergonimics defined! On the downside (every story has one), the exterior team needs to step up to the plate and deliver something/ANYTHING better and more in keeping with whats concealed under the hood and within the doors! Get it together, and give the shape more BODY!

• 

  Wont buy another Honda!!! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By js114 - June 11 - 7:35 am

  I purchased this brand new and at first I did not want a minivan, but Ive found I like the convenience of it. Now I absolutely cant stand it, the passenger side door rattles. At first it sounded like a marble. They took the door apart and wrapped everything, it was gone for a few months, now its a new rattle and now the other door has started. Its bad when your 4 year old says, "mommy my door is rattling again." You cant even turn up the radio to drown it out. Its only a year old and I want to get rid of it. I wish I never got rid of my 4Runner. Dealer says hes never heard of this problem. After reading the reviews, it sounds very common.

• 

  Nice little SUV - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By bb - June 11 - 4:36 am

  Purchased top of the line CRV EX-L. My wife loves this car! Fairly comfortable and easy to navigate around town. The dual-zone climate control is very poor. If the outside temperature is 3 - 10 degrees cooler than required setting the system constantly flips between cold or hot air. Cant quite seem to find a balance. Rear seat passengers complain about the temperature when set to automatic. Not easy to control manually either. Had to move up to the EX-L to get comfortable seats. The leather seats are comfortable and make a big difference. Dash is tasteful and controls well placed. Price is high for the features on the car. Banking on long term reliability or resale to provide value.

• 

  Love our Lolita in her red dress!!!! - 2006 Honda S2000
  By Jim - June 10 - 8:06 pm

  How much do you need to love a car to give her a name? We recently bought a red 06 with only 8K miles on her. We are a family of Hondas - when my spouse bought her CRV in 2005 I sat in a s2000 in the showroom and said "hey babe Im gonna buy you one of these" I knew that one would end up in the garage eventually. All my Honda experiences have been excellent, 2 Civics, said CRV, and now the S2K. What a car! It just DARES you to drive it. The gearbox is butter, the sound is magnificent, the interior is Honda simple, the seats are comfy. Styling is understated, but menacing in an anime sort of way. Mash the throttle in second, spool her up to 7K rpm and hold on! Turbos are for whimps, baby!

• 

  Love the van, hate the tires - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Texan - June 10 - 6:39 pm

  Dont buy one with PAX tire system. Class action lawsuit against Honda in process. Tires wear out between 20K- 25k. Expensive to replace. Can only be done at authorized location, which is usually Honda dealer. No spares. Ours went flat traveling on Sunday and had to stay over until next day when Honda opened. New tire cost $298, because old could not be fixed (only 16k miles on it). Hotel cost $100. Honda said so sad, too bad. We are going to get rid of ours even though, it is a great van. Dont want to get stranded in middle of nowhere.

• 

  Bringing Sport To Small - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Erich - June 10 - 3:26 pm

  Ive had mine for almost 3 months now and I still shake my head in disbelief when I look at it. Such aggressive styling on a car this size is rare and in this case very well done. The view of the road is appreciated, but the blind spots are troubling, but I am coming from a Maxima with windows all around and if you actually look and not just rely on mirrors then its fine. I have noticed the occasional rough shift in the transmission and a little hesitation/skipping at idle, but im sure its nothing a quick visit to the dealer wont fix. Im also not a big fan of the fact the rear entry effects the front seat position every time some gets in and out of the back seat.

• 

  Love My Hondas - 2006 Honda Accord
  By JKM127 - June 10 - 6:33 am

  This is my 6th Accord, and they keep getting better, but less imaginative and lately always seem behind the curve. Wish Honda could do more about the road noise, the car could use some soundproofing; The gear shifter could be sleeker, sexier not sticking up so high; Offer better and more extior colors mixup the exterior and interior colors, would like to have gotten the satin silver with tan intior; do not like the painted bumper they scratch up to easily; and do love the realiability and quality.

• 

  Great Money Saver - 2007 Honda Civic
  By DLP - June 9 - 9:16 pm

  I have only owned this coupe for a few weeks but it has lived up to and supassed all expectations. My MPG has been holding at 34mpg with around 75% highway driving. I love the responsive motor and handling of the car. I should also say that I am 53 years young and traded a F150 for this because the truck was killing me on gas.

• 

  Civic - 2006 Honda Civic
  By paulgbeasley - June 9 - 8:23 pm

  The car handles much better then the four other makes of vehicles I test drove before buying the Honda Civic. It is pleasure to drive and much more responsive then I thought it could be. The gas mileage is great and the navigation system I wouldnt do without.