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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  My first Honda - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Boomersooner - May 20 - 2:00 pm

  We traded our 2000 S40 Volvo for a CRV SE. We need more room and a vehicle that was less maintenance intensive. I miss my turbo and sport car handling however the CRV is a fun vehicle to drive. Honda has made a midsize SUV for a reasonable price. I enjoy the steering wheel controls and the materials used in the vehicle are as nice as some of the more pricey SUVÂ’s. I commute and needed a fuel-efficient car that was comfortable to drive with luxuries found in the higher end cars and Honda has delivered. We love the car thus far!

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  Just buy it - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By larry - May 20 - 1:46 pm

  I have owned my ridgeline for a week now. LOVE IT. I was looking at buying a Toyota fj cruiser. On the ridgeline the back windows go down. Though I cannot climb a mountain, The ridgeline gave me the comfort I was looking for with a lot of features I would not have with the fj cruiser. Same towing capacity the same mileage, with a lot more comfort and class.

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  New CR-V after 2500 miles - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By asapguy - May 20 - 1:36 pm

  This is our first Honda, in fact our first car other then one from the "big 3". The CR-V is a real pleasure to drive. It replaced a 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 170K miles. As of now the MPGs are at 22 but this is only local driving. The voice recognition system needs some improvement. It rarely gets the command right the 1st time. Im surprised at the amount of road noise inside & this might be a factor with the voice commands. We also have a new 09 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2dr. The Jeep is much quieter & has less road noise at 60MPH. We usually keep a vehicle for 15 yrs or more so I hope itll last. My wife drives the CR-V 90% of the time.

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  Good rep, bad car - 1995 Honda Civic
  By aec239 - May 20 - 10:34 am

  Have had my 95 LX for just over a year and its sitting on Craigslist waiting for someone to buy it. The car is extremely slow, even with the manual trans. Its tiny which is only good for parallel parking, only fits about 2 adults comfortably. Gas mileage is AWESOME (36 mpg in the city) which is the reason I bought it when gas was almost at $5. If youre a single person that commutes with no kids, pets, or stuff to carry around than its an ok car. Ive found that the car is completely rusted out underneath when a piece of my exhaust fell off on the highway (and you can only go 70 mph or the little engine will blow up). CV joints and rack boots need replacing every year.

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  Love My Civic - 2007 Honda Civic
  By ssangelljr - May 20 - 4:56 am

  The Civic is a great car to drive. It provides excellent power and handling for a small car. I sell cars for a living and have experienced the "drive" of many cars, but nothing in the class with the Civic even compares.

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  My Wifes Ridgeline RTL. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By James Cameron - May 20 - 4:30 am

  Comfortable, smooth, quiet, and enjoyable ride. Handles extremely easy and drives like a dream for a large vehicle. Everything is right at your finger tips. It appears wider and higher than the SUVs but very easy to drive. We have had Hondas since 1987 buying Accords, Civics and CR-V for ourselves and children because of the safety and reliability of Honda vehicles. Ridgeline is a great addition to the Honda line and has met our needs in an all around vehicle cant wait for the snow.

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  Good but far from perfect - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By jack - May 19 - 3:32 pm

  Very solid performance, smooth riding, good brake, good acceleration. However, I found the building quality is not so good.

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  Tires are lousy - 2007 Honda Fit
  By hondagal - May 19 - 3:06 pm

  Cute car, great color, in fact I use the thrill of Brazil nail polish manicures and touch ups on the car, nails match car. TIRES - get your act together HONDA! Time to upgrade or give a better option. Am at 32,000 and tires are very loud and worn and gone, will have to replace them tomorrow.

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  Still tough to beat the Odyssey - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Tommy B - May 19 - 1:15 pm

  This is our 2nd Ody. The first one, an 03 EX-L, was bullet-proof. Got as much as 26 mpg on the highway. Our new 2009 is even more refined. Much more plush interior, nicer exterior colors and lines. Features like power liftgate and backup camera are super useful. Some complain that their new Ody rides rough. Actually, it reminds me of the driving feel of my Bimmer. You can definitely "feel" the road but its a good refined feeling, not a "rough" feeling. Interior noise about the same as the old one. The one complaint I have is with the Plus-One center seat for the 2nd row. I find it nearly unusable. First, you cant stow it. On earlier models you could, but no longer.

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  my civic - 2007 Honda Civic
  By joe - May 19 - 11:03 am

  sharpest new car design on the road, great improvements to an all ready great line