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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  Fun, but not what I expected of a Honda - 2008 Honda Element
  By Cruisedoggy - May 12 - 2:40 pm

  At 54, this was my very first new car...ever! Everyone said what great cars Hondas are, so I was excited to be buying one, and my beloved Element to boot. At 1000 miles it had been in the shop twice for fuel tank sensor issues. Now at just shy of a year and only 5700 miles I am truly disappointed. It IS fun to drive and I love its funny nerd cool look, but the quality really lacks....small irritations: defrosters are non- existent, radio speakers vibrated from the start, drivers side doors rattle. Im a single old guy, so its hardly been given rough treatment.

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  Perfect car - except for the seat. - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Dmitri Toptygin - May 12 - 2:25 pm

  I drove about 40000 miles on this car, and I had almost no problems with it. Excellent reliability, fuel economy, handling in dry and wet conditions. The only thing that causes problems is the new design of the drivers seat. From 1999 to 2007 I drove an Accord EX 1999, and that one had a great drivers seat. The 2007 version has a new seat design, and this caused me a lot of back pain. I already paid over $2000 to a chiropractor. The headrest cannot be lifted high enough to make it comfortable. Removing and discarding the headrest makes it feel better, but this increases the danger of whiplash injury in an accident.

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  EX SE 4D Automatic - 2005 Honda Civic
  By katie - May 12 - 12:26 pm

  My last car was a 99 Honda Civic EX. There have been a lot of very nice changes since that model. I love the spacious feel. I also love that I have a roomy car with great gas mileage. The seat belts are comfortable. Since I am a plus sized woman, that was very important to me. The interior is a little plainer than I would have expected, but the stereo system and the moon roof easily take your attention.

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  "LUVMYFIT" - 2008 Honda Fit
  By supercore - May 12 - 12:16 pm

  After looking at everything, I decided on my fit, and I am "fit" to be tied with happiness. Mileage is excellent, in fact I just filled it up, and it took 8 gal of gas for 324 miles. Being retired, and almost 70 years of age, I can stay with almost anything on the road. It is comfortable in town and on the road. No wind noise, Cruise control works great, and since I have the "sport" model, I get compliments every day. I almost bought a Mazda 3, but then when you consider the resale value, the "fit" is the only choice. They now have some great "trick stuff" to customize your fit, and I look for excuses to drive it. Oh, I used to drive an avalanche, and loved it. Its an outstanding car, go buy one!

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  35K and still Great - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Spylake - May 12 - 11:35 am

  Not a reel truck? So what. It does what most owners need with more comfort, safety and refinement than any pick-up Ive ever driven. 30 sheets of plywood laid flat? No problem. Bales of hay? NP. 1,500 lbs of concrete? NP. 40 sacks of fertilizer or horse feed? NP. Towing a 26 foot Catalina 250 (sailboat). NP. Commuting 3 kids to school, rowing etc. NP. Taking a family of five on vacation with all the toys they need. NP. REAL truck owners are just jealous of our trunk, independent suspension, squeak and rattle free interior and reliability.

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  Great overall truck! - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Soua - May 12 - 8:52 am

  After doing a lot of research for the last 6 months all avenues lead me back to the Honda Ridgeline. To me, the Black Edition looks the best of all the available models. I did add the hard tonneau cover, black rugged side steps, and CD player. The cover and the side steps really completes the look of the Black Edition. It looks very sporty. I have only had the truck for about a three weeks but so far I have been really happy with the purchase. Compare to my company Tacoma and S-10, the Ridgeline is a dream in difference. The Ridgeline rides very nice without jarring around over bumps like a typical truck. It rides about as smooth and almost as quiet as my Mercedes GLC. The truck has great pick up when you step on it and the 6 speed transmission does not feel like its hunting for the correct gear. I cannot say how it performs in the snow as this has been a very mild winter. The Black Edition and the RTL-E both comes with more bells and whistles than I know how to use and I am a very techie guy. It has tons of safety features such as lane departure, blind spot monitoring, back-up camera with cross traffic sensors, and adaptive cruise control. For what I use the truck for the Ridgeline fills all my needs. I do not haul or tow for a living and I am not a mudder/off-roader. My main needs are driving to visit family, weekend household hauling, and towing my fishing boat.

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  THIS CAR ROCKS, SIMPLE AS THAT !!! - 2016 Honda Accord
  By WILLIAM - May 12 - 4:01 am

  I wanted a car that would go 200,000 miles without a major repair. Statistically it was the HONDA ACCORD (1ST) or the TOYOTA CAMRY (2nd) that are the cars most likely to do this in North America, accordingly to the Google search I conducted.The Camry doesnt offer a two door COUPE so it was to be a HONDA. Next I did not want a CVT transmission, so the 4 cylinder Accords were out.I drove the HONDA ACCORD EX-L COUPE 3.5L V6, 6speed Automatic w/sequential transmission and hated the paddle shifters, so it was going to have to be the 2016 HONDA ACCORD EX-L 3.5L 6Speed Manual, AND AM I GLAD I GOT ONE !! WOW, I had no idea how fast these cars are, and did not buy it for its speediness. IT IS JUST A SHARP CAR. Everywhere I go people look at it and do not know what it is, BUT THEY ALL LIKE IT !!! The PEARL BLACK Is gorgeous, the interior is comfortable, the STEREO CRANKS... EE-GAD MON, and the V6 engine gets 24.6 MPGs over the first 10,000 miles I drove the car as I never reset the A trip odometer when I left the dealership, but it reset itself at 10,000 miles. The previous 4 cylinder cars I had, a 2013 CR-V and a 2015 Toyota RAV4 both averaged 25 MPG (the RAV 4 got 24.9) so this car gets the EXACT same MPGs as a 4cylinder engine, LOL !!!! Now for the fun part, I drive casually as I am in no hurry, and there are always people that want to run me off the road or try to go around me and then cut in front of me and hit the brakes like morons. SO I HAVE HAD MY SHARE OF FUN BLOWING EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM OFF THE ROAD. NAMELY a 740i BMW that was SHOCKED he could not pass me....from a 35 MPH roll...I LEFT THE GUY IN THE DUST !!! An $85,000(PLUS TAX) car that puts out 400 Horse power(BUT it weighs 6,000 lbs. LOL !!!) could not keep up w/my HONDA ACCORD COUPE 3.5L V6 @ $27,500. In Florida the biggest laugh was a Ford Fusion 2.0 Si Turbo, after banging 3rd and 4th gear, I had to stop because I couldnt see the poor guy. He must have seen the ACCORD name-plate and figured hed blow me off the road but he must not have seen the V6 on the other side of the trunk because he did not have a chance, LOL, NONE, then there are the AUDIs....the A3,A4,A5,A6s and the Mercedes C300s and all the BMWs from 328is to 740is cars that all could NOT BELIEVE what my lil 2016 HONDA ACCORD COUPE 3.5L V6 6Speed Manual did to their very expensive BUT SLOW cars......not a single one of these cars came close to keeping up with my ACCORD COUPE. NOW, I am NOT A STREET RACER, these things happened on open Highways, on road trips to Florida from the North Eastern USA, from 40MPH to 70 MPH situations that only went up to 95MPH to 110MPH because that was all I had to do to disappear from these cars, except the 740i BMW which was an on-ramp situation and was the most enjoyable as I know how much he paid for that POS and I KNEW this guy thought he was gonna blow right by me,BUT..... NO WAY BUDDY !!! I slowed down, after I made my considerable point (it was not even close) and as he passed me I lowered my window and patted my CARS door as he went by ...I WAS LAUGHING AT HIM. SO there you have it, a really SHARP LOOKIN DAILY DRIVER TYPE CAR, COMFORTABLE AND FUN TO DRIVE,GOOD MPGs and no hefty insurance bills like Mustangs, Camaros,Chargers all get. This is not a MUSCLE CAR, BUT IT IS SUPRISINGLY FASSSSSST 0-60 MPH in under 6 seconds.BTW, if you want one of these cars ,THEY ARE RARE, I had only 4 to choose from on the entire EAST-COAST of the USA when I commenced my search in May 2016 as most dealers do not even stock them.Not many people want a V6, 6speed Maunual Honda ACCORD w/ony 2 doors(A COUPE, BUT, I DID !!!)....and seriously, everywhere I go... people really like this car....most people do not know what it is from a side view and are surprised when they find out its an ACCORD....and from the front it looks like a PREMIUM LUXURY SPORTS COUPE w/the sports bra and the window visors I put on it, SHARP LOOKIN. I C other ACCORD COUPE OWNERS that call their COUPEs their BABY and really seem to love them. I like mine and will drive it for four or five years and then hopefully I will get half of what I paid for it, and buy another one !!! SIMPLY PUT, THE HONDA ACCORD EX-L 3.5L V6 ,6 Speed Manual is a ROCKIN CAR !!! THANKS HONDA, I did not want a boy-toy pony car as I am past that point in life.

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  I LIKE IT! - 2005 Honda Accord
  By IndyDriver - May 12 - 3:23 am

  This car replaces a Saturn SL1 with 146K miles, so any new car would be a major improvement. What particularly impresses me about the Honda Accord is the excellent build quality. Fit and finish are superb. I mostly drive it around town. It handles securely in ice and snow and gives an excellent feel for clean roads without imparting fatigue. Power on local roads is excellent and it has maneuvers with ease on the highway. The automatic transmission almost never "hunts." for the right gear. Other cars (the Volvo S40, Acura TSX, VW Passat). . This car handes more serenely, but is still fun to drive. I think it represents a better value than the aforementioned vehicles

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  Love our newly bought Odyssey - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Shania - May 11 - 4:06 pm

  We got our first minivan a few days ago after doing research between Odyssey and Sienna for several months. We finally decided to go with Odyssey because of the safety rating, the roomy third row seats and better value for the price. It is really fun driving this car. Though we never drove a big car before, we find it extremely easy and pleasant to drive this car. The whole family loves this car.

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  First MiniVan....Love It - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By chris - May 11 - 1:30 pm

  I originally did not consider a Honda thinking it was going to be too expensive. But after comparing costs with other "less" expensive options the Honda stood out. Exterior has great stylings for a minivan and the interior is roomy and luxurious. Drives like a car. I can hardly wait for my first trip. Auto doors are a feature I never really thought about, but I love them. Whats more the wife and kids love it.