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 Car - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Maid Service Car - April 6 - 2:00 am

  After six months I can say I made no mistake buying this car. Lots of fun, not too childish, reliable, and a looker.

• 

  Tormented 2003 Honda Accord Owner - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Sharker - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Overall the Accord is a very nice car. But the overall Honda experience has left me disillusioned. After one month the indash 6 disk CD changer started to drill holes in my CDs. Honda made me wait 1 month for a NEW ONE...oh WAIT! they gave me someones elses "recondition" CD changer/radio/climate control unit! I feel robbed! I also had to wait 10 weeks to get my 6 CDs back that were stuck in the CD Changer and I am fighting to get compensated for the damaged CDs. I get about 24mpg and I do mostly highway driving. I like the car but am a little disappointed.

• 

  My Spacious car - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Chris72771 - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I love my Accord, it is extremely spacious inside. The trunk is huge and everything you need while driving is right at your fingertips. The car handles great and I feel safe driving in bad weather conditions.

• 

  Pretty good car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By zride17 - April 6 - 2:00 am

  For the most part, I like my car. It feels pretty powerful for just 4 cylanders. The sunroof is fun, Ive never had one before. The controls on the stereo are great. Probably the best on any car that Ive seen. Ive got some noise from my driver window if it is windy or Im going over 45mph. The other annoying thing is the paint. I had a Saturn before and the paint didnt chip nearly as easily as this one does. Ive had it for two months and Ive had two door dings chip the paint. One on each side. One of them I did myself with our other car and the other car (Altima) didnt lose any paint at all.

• 

  Its ok for a daily driver - 2013 Honda Accord
  By mark - April 4 - 2:23 pm

  Its a Honda, not a Mercedes, so my expectations werent that high to begin with. The 4 cylinder model is not a race car by any means, but the CVT does a decent job at putting the power down where you need it and delivering a nice smooth take off from a stop night. The steering is very loose, but it delivers a precise and agile feeling. The brakes could be better, they vibrate a little and it sometimes requires finesse to get the car to stop smoothly. The car also jerks when slowing to a stop, usually around 10 mph, but its nothing serious. The ride quality could use some improvement, its quite harsh and violent over bumps. The leather seats in my EX-L model are quite hard and unsupportive, I often feel like Im sitting "on" the seat rather than "in" the seat. I find the overall feel of the cabin is a bit cold and utilitarian. Handling of the vehicle is adequate for the class. It has somewhat of an "old school" Honda zippy feel, but a great amount of that classic Honda feeling was lost due to government regulations and recent manufacturing standards. The bluetooth connectivity and media sources are finicky and complicated to use, the infotainment system seems to have a mind of its own. Its also unnecessarily complicated to flip through radio stations. You twist the tuning knob expecting it to just jump to the next station, but instead it brings up a menu and you have to manually select which station you want and press it using the knob, or you can use the arrows on the touch screen. Both methods are extremely distracting and unnecessary. Again, its not perfect, but its certainly far from the worst car Ive driven. Its easy to drive, and easy to park. If youre like most of America and just want a simple, easy to drive commuter car, the Accord will suit you just fine. Been over 3 years and the car has needed nothing.

• 

  MY VERSATILE CRV - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By ELIZABETH YATES - April 4 - 2:00 am

  MY CRV PROVIDES ALL THAT I NEED IN A VEHICLE. I AM ON THE ROAD EVERY WEEK. I NEED A VEHICLE THAT I CAN DEPEND ON, AND THE CRV PROVIDES THAT RELIABILITY. IT IS ALSO VERSATILE. I HAVE HAULED MANY DIFFERENT ITEMS AND HAVE CONFIGURED THE VEHICLE IN MANY WAYS.

• 

  drive toyotas why not give honda a try - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By John Hotopp - April 3 - 2:00 am

  this car drags on the gear too long to get this thing moving. Also when you turn on the fan for cool vent air the a/c turns itself on when defrosting too. Passenger front seat doesnt have a power lock to match the driver side.

• 

  thr review - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By dnoon - April 1 - 10:00 am

  sliding doors stick and become very hard to open

• 

  i would buy another one - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By gris54 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  i like my crv alot, use to drive a civic and hated it . but the crv is alot better car ,only bad things i have noticed is tire wear isnt that great and gas mileage is no where near what they say

• 

  Great - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Shaun Caldwell - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Overall the CRV is a good car. It gets around 22mpg on the highway with the ac on and around 29 with the ac off. The vehicle has good pick-up on take offs and shifts smoothly into gear.