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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  towing CRV - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Richard Rothwell - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Purchase CRV to commute and pull behind motorhome since it is one of a few you can pull with all wheels on the ground. Very pleased with performance but at 48,000 miles the transmission went out and Honda in Ft.Worth replace the transmission at no cost to us and even paid for our rent car. We cannot be happier with their response and will definitely buy another.

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  Robins CRV Review - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Robin Allen - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I love the look inside and out and the feel of this SUV. It is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. It rides very smooth unlike its competitor GMC Jimmy. That rode like a tank. The Honda handles corners good and takes bumps like a little cadillac. The only complaint that I have with this SUV is the "pick-up on starting off". It seems to need a push sometimes, doesnt seem to have good pep without the RPMs reving up to 5.

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  Van with a Cars soul - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Udaydc - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I got rid of my 4Runner, due to a baby we had and wanted a nice ride, but I was not willing to buy a van. We took a trip to Nashville from Atlanta, and I fell in love with the Odyssey. The next wee I went and got one. This is not your typical mothers van. This baby can move and hadle like a coupe. It has plenty of juice and the features are execelent. Yes, my friends do make fun of me because I am only 26, but then again, this the our choice of transportation for trips out of town. You can go 95 and not know it, it is soooo smooth.

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  How dealerships screw you out of $250 - 2003 Honda Civic
  By cfgirl96 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I did my research and printed out the Edmunds price. The dealership surprisingly had no problems with selling it to me for that. However, In the finance office, they stubbornly tried to sell me extended warranties and then announced that they already installed an anti-left plan to the car in which they charged me $249. It probably cost them $49 to buy it from the company and 5 minutes to put those silly stickers on the 7 most stripped parts of the car. I was not in the mood to have them spend an hour to remove the stickers and in turn stratch or chip the paint, so Im paying $4.50 more a month for something that I didnt need or want.

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  Great car, fix the headrests - 2006 Honda Civic
  By marka - January 21 - 4:13 pm

  Nice car. Good mileage (38mpg @ 1200 miles, mostly highway). 5 speed auto is nice, even coming from a stick, though I could do without it downshifting quite so aggressively. Only major problem sounds silly... The front headrests are too far forward, pushing your head forward and making it _very_ uncomfortable to drive for some folks (and my wife is one of them...) We didnt notice it on the test drive with all the other "Im in a new car" stuff going on, but be sure and check it out if youre considering one of these.

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  Head rest at terrible angle. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Bill Leibenguth - January 21 - 11:11 am

  This is a great car but terribly uncomfortable due to the forward tilt of the headrest. If you sit with good posture there is no way you can drive this car more than 60 miles. The headrest is angled forward and pushes constantly on the back of your head. I windup looking directly at my speedometer all of the time. All of the great technology is useless if you cant drive it. Most other car manufacturers allow about 2" between the back of your head and the headrest. My Subby is really old (2001) but really comfortable. "An update 9-2016) the headrest can be turned backwards but then there is too much space between the headrest and my head. The other solution is to recline the back of the seat so youre partially reclined but due to my fractured back that too is impossible. Best solution, trade it in and buy another Subaru.

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  MPG ratings a BOGUS! - 2008 Honda Civic
  By minekinda - January 19 - 2:46 pm

  I just went from a Ford excursion diesel 12 mpg city and 16 to 18 mpg hwy, 8000 pounds of truck. Great truck mind you. Bought this Honda so I wouldnt have to take out a second mortgage on my house. The Honda states it gets 27 city and 35 mpg highway. This is bull, I just finished my first tank of gas, I just filled up the car, mind you I have been driving the car like an old man. Mostly city and very little highway I just calculated out at 20.58 mpg. I knew the ratings were bogus, every car I have owned the stated mpg is always about 7 to 10 mpg off. As far as you people here stating that you got 32 mpg 35 mpg 38 mpg is that downhill without a driver? You cannot drive this car any slower than me

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  Civic Made Better With Valve Adjustment - 2000 Honda Civic
  By Rjay - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Good car made great by a recent (24000 mile) valve adjustment.

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  6 Repairs and counting - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Petri - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I loved this car when I bought it but the past year has been one repair after another. I started having problems at 5,000 miles and the car has been in the shop 6 times in all. Some of the problems have been minor but still serious enough to take the car in for repairs. The rotars got replaced at 7,000 miles and repaired again at 14,000. Well see if the pattern hold and it goes in at 21k. The car is in the shop today and the dealer has a list of about 6 things that need fixed!

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  Poor Mileage with New Engine - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Bryan - January 15 - 9:50 pm

  The 2005 Honda with the high efficiency engine touts 22 mpg city/28 highway is a joke. I have over 8,000 miles and the best that I can get is 16 around town and 22 on the highway. Honda has read the onboard computer and states that everything is up to specs. This is our third Odyssey and probably our last if the mileage does not improve.