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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  Used to be more comfortable for the driver - 2016 Honda Accord
  By AlexT - October 8 - 2:22 pm

  As compared to my 2005 Honda Accord V6 EX, I found following is a step down in the new 2016 model: 1) side door storage compartment used to be 2.5 times larger. now, it can barely fit 2 bottles of water. this reduction applies to all doors on all new models. see 2016 MDX doors for space comparison, which is similar to what i have in my old car. 2) the space on the door where the window meets the panel and where the driver used to be able to put his arm is now half in width and therefore it is now hard to keep your hand there without slipping, making the whole experience frustrating. 3) the control clusters on the doors are now tilted forward and down a little bit, so if you used to place your arm there to support yourself from rolling forward when hard braking, you would find it no longer helps and your arm may slide forward thereby loosing your grip. 4) the steering wheel is no longer ribbed n the borrom for your fingers and is just plain smooth surface. this as well as the material used in the older model was what made the driving experience so good, but not anymore. the new material feels like a softer cheaper replacement covered in chalk and making your hands slide. 5) the console buttons are now gone and are replaced with touchscreen. in my opinion this is yet another mistake. the single central circular button was the most useful thing in the whole entertainment system. it was quick and simple, without requiring the driver to take eyes off the road. the replacement of key functions with touchscreen i think is another mistake, but i am sure they will find that out when its too late and customer are put off by the ignorance and hype of touchscreens. 6) yet another issue is the center console. it used to slide out and extend forward to allow the driver to place his right arm and provide arm relief. does not extend anymore and is fixed instead. the space in the console has been reduced in half and no longer has an additional 12volt outlet. 7) the center console as well as couple of other parts are accented with shiny and reflective black plastic. these will need to be constantly cleaned and are prone to scratches just like a cell phone screen. honda has no alternate materials selections available, and in comparison to all the previously muted out silver accents, this was a fairly stupid decision. on my phone i can put a screen protector to prevent scratches, in the car however there is no such thing and your are limited with making customizing those pieces with vinyl. 8) lastly, older models had driver seat controls which could tilt the seat front to back just a little bit, maybe 1-5 degrees. the new controls do not have that option and instead you are limited with seat up/down, forward/backward options instead. Overall, seems like Honda is going a bit backwards with their features, rather than improving them year after year. Instead they deliver trivial things like MP3 and Bluetooth, reduce usability and comfort. With the car rising in price, I would expect that it would at the very least remain with same or similarly comfortable interior and entertainment system or be improved for the better; however, it seems opposite is true.

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  Enjoying so far - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By roadtest - October 8 - 2:26 am

  I purchased this vehicle for my wife. So far she loves it very much. We dont see the problem of pulling to right. Although I can feel this is a solidly built vehicle, some cheap interior parts do ruffle on bumpy road. The road noise is pronounced. For short person (my wife is 53), the blind spot is big.

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  WOOHOOO! - 2004 Honda Element
  By mattmanr1969 - October 7 - 10:00 am

  Im so happy with my Element! I have 2 dogs, and like to go camping. As well, I own apartment rentals and need to haul lots of things from home depot. Fold down seats make car camping a breeze. No carpeting makes cleanup easy. I wish there were a drainhole so i could literally "hose it out".

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  My first car!! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By tanyakimstone - October 7 - 10:00 am

  This model Honda Civic is perfect for me... and would be for your children, too! I am seventeen and a high school senior, and the 04 civic lx fits perfectly into my athletic and busy life. !!!! i LOVE it!

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  Honda Accord LX review - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Edmunds - October 7 - 10:00 am

  Very well desinged car, that is quite economical. Unfortunately, the body is very poorly put together and the car has multiple noises that the dealership is currently working on. Fit and finish are also decidedly below expectations. It is as if the car has never gone through any quality control at the factory and I had a list of about 5 different items that had to be taken care off after the purchase of the vehicle...

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  Too much road noise, NO CD PLAYER - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Robert Dillon - October 6 - 11:00 am

  I never would have bought this vehicle if I knew it didnt have a CD player, which I use to listen to audio books. I retired after 32 years as a state police lieutenant. This car has WAY TOO MUCH ROAD NOISE. When you start going to larger wheels and tires, especially at highway speeds, you absolutely have to have superior insulation and probably add "touring" tires, with less roll resistance. I traded in a 2012 Chev Impala with 34K, since I had a state police 2006 take-home Impala, and both these cars were quiet. This car sounds like it has snow tires on it.

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  Honda #8 - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Honda8 - October 3 - 12:03 am

  As you see, Ive had a number of Hondas in the last 15 years. I can say the manual transmission is superior to the auto. The EX is worth the extra $$ for the engine, tires, moonroof and wheels. Great mileage. I get 40 on the highway. Sure, everyone has the EXACT car you do so you see a lot of them around, but hey, it just shows how smart they all are! I routinely get my Hondas over 200,000 miles and I cant imagine this one will be any different. They arent flashy, powerful or luxurious. But they are dependable, economical and sometimes even fun! Get one... or 8 like I have.

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  Not as good as I hoped - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By pdxcrv - October 1 - 11:20 am

  I have had my CRV for about a week and have put on about 600 miles. The fuel economy stinks for a 4 cylinder! I am averaging just around 20 MPG. The average meter moves up very slowly on the freeways and I seemed to max out at 21 MPG. However, it plummets rapidly when driving in the city getting around 15MPG. This is a lot worse than the 2008 Equinox that I was driving and it was a V6 with a lot more power and interior room. The other reviews are correct about the limited storage option in the CRV. Honda really needs to put in a coin holder. The three slots that are at knee level are small and difficult to access. Actually, they are kind of useless.

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  nice van with some quirks - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By luando - September 30 - 7:03 pm

  No regrets spending $36.5K. It drives and handles better than our Volvo S70 GLT 98. Gas mileage is between 16- 21.5 mpg with 1,400 miles on odometer. Brakes could/should be more powerful to stop this hefty car. Steering is precise and not overly light but brakes feel vague.

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  great car so far - 2002 Honda Civic
  By sweet 02 civic - September 28 - 2:00 am

  well, the main reason i bought this car is that my previous vehicle was a jeep wrangler and if you cant guess already.. miles per gallon.. from 12 mpg to 32-39.. i know the vehicles are very different but im just happy to be in this one instead now! the suspension is just right for my taste(semi aggresive driver) as is the conservative styling. i am 64" tell and sit fairly comfortably in my baby. no defects of any kind so far after 3500 miles. the headlights work very well and signals are highly visible.