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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  This is a GREAT car!! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By MB SKANDALAKIS - June 14 - 4:23 am

  I LOVE this car so much!! Its so fun to drive, and itll totally fly! But, due to an unexpected influx of grandchildren, I have to switch to a car with 4 doors. My 51-yr-old self cannot get them in and out of the car without major discomfort. Switching to a Honda CR-V.

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  Great car except for slight vibration - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By Snoopy - June 14 - 2:00 am

  I like everything about the Pilot except for a slight vibration between70- 80 mph. This is our 10th Honda product and I have loved them all. Im sure Honda will solve the vibration problem, but in the interim it is aggrevating.

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  Great car except for slight vibration - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By snoopy - June 14 - 2:00 am

  I like everything about the Pilot except for a slight vibration between70- 80 mph. This is our 10th Honda product and I have loved them all. Im sure Honda will solve the vibration problem, but in the interim it is aggrevating.

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  Worth the Wait for those sold on Hybrids - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By RMH - June 14 - 1:47 am

  **Update after 1 year - still enjoying the vehicle and after a year of combined highway and city driving, looks like 43 MPG is about average. In the city at 20-50 MPH stop and go, you can easily get 49 or 50 MPG but on the highway over 70 brings you back to reality. With all factors combines, this is still the best car I have ever owned. I was new to hybrids in 2013 and purchased a 2013 Hyundai Sonata and loved that vehicle right off the bat and was sold on hybrids. With that car I averaged 38 mpg on the highway and was thrilled that I could go over 500 miles before having to fill up. The argument at the time was the hybrid cost more and based on mpg, it would take you X years to break even. While this might be a logical value/$ spent thought, I for one loved the fact that I was doing my part to help with the ecology and consuming less gas which made me feel good and I was sold. While I loved this first hybrid, I was keeping an eye out for Hondas latest model waiting the entire 2016 model year for the 2017s which have just begun arriving at dealerships as I am a long time Honda fan ( have owned 4 or 5 Honda vehicles). From a "regular guy" point of view, there is almost nothing about this car I do like like from the fantastic mpg to the great audio system to elegant interior. So far I am averaging 46 mpg combined and an thrilled to see my driving range to empty is about 700 miles. The mpg highway is an interesting number as it never states at what speed was the mpg highway determined. On a recent trip, I set the cruise to 70 mph on mostly straight roads and after 2 hours of driving, the mpg was listed as 42 mpg. I suspect if I drove 65 mph or 60 mph, the mpg might have gotten closer to the published rate but who would drive that speed :-). The only issue I noticed is with Apple Car Play which acts strange at times with accepting phone calls and instances in which there seems to be a software tug of war between Honda car software and Apple as to which product should control a feature.When I do have an issue, rebooting the phone does nothing and it requires me to turn off the car then retry which corrects the problem. The car is very very well built and feels more like a Lexus than a hybrid sedan. As I have only had the car for 4 days, barring something totally out of the blue and unexpected, I would highly recommend purchasing this vehicle and forget the extra cost/how many years to recoup argument and enjoy the ride! (Update 7/26/16) - Resolved the carplay issue as being caused by using both Carplay and Bluetooth at the same time - use one or the other but not both together. On another note, I achieved 50.8 mpg in the city by driving with caution and playing with the gas pedal as Hybrid owners will understand what I am referring to. I am not up to 44 mpg combined over 6 days.

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  I LOVED my Honda - 1995 Honda Civic
  By Honda lover - June 13 - 6:52 pm

  I loved my Civic since day one. Only thing Ive had to replace within the year and a half that I have had it was the CV shaft. Nothing expensive, and easy to fix on your own. Dont put money into this car though. Its most likely gonna get stolen sooner or later, and you cant expect anything from insurance. So if you have a Honda, park it in your garage, even if you have a "nice" neighborhood.

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  Best sports car yet - 2005 Honda S2000
  By Dennis - June 13 - 10:40 am

  After 2 years of ownership of the Honda S2000, I can say from experience that this car gives great satisfaction to the driver. It is sleek, responsive, and there are national and international clubs for S-2000 owners to join and go on road trips with. I couldnt be happier. Of my 5 sports cars owned, this one is tops. 30 mpg on the freeway, 25 mpg in the city.

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  Fuel Economy - 2001 Honda Civic
  By SundayRvr1983 - June 13 - 10:31 am

  I have owned this car for 3 years I honestly can say its one of the best cars I have ever owned. I have 89,000 miles on it, never once have had any major issues. Aside from a few minor repairs from wear and tear, nothing major has happened to it. I must say that Im very pleased with the outcome of this car.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Honda Element
  By Deborah - June 12 - 11:48 pm

  We purchased this vehicle about 3 months ago and have taken it on trips non-stop. We were impressed with its ability to be like a truck, you can load and haul pretty much anything in it. Clean up is very easy. Just wipe it clean and youre done. Easy to wash and wax too. Not much to do because the durable plastic exterior part is so easy to wipe down.

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  Bulletproof - 1995 Honda Accord
  By Picaroon - June 12 - 9:12 am

  I bought this car in 2001 with 90,000 miles on it. When I sold it 5.5 years later it had over 235,000. The car had already been smashed up once before I bought it, was in another small accident while in my possession, and was then stolen, beat up, abandoned and recovered. It was put through the wringer and still ran like a top when I sold it. The 2.2l averaged 29-30 mpg. The car never let me down.

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  My hot Civic. - 2003 Honda Civic
  By My smooth ride! - June 12 - 6:49 am

  My Civic is one hot little ride. The engine is creamy smooth, 5 speed shifts the best of any economy car, Gas mileage is the best without it being a hybrid. Very comfortable seats. Great driving position. Nicely loaded and excellent build quality. Not the typical econo car cheap parts. This is my second Civic, the first was a 95 and it was very dependable and long running. You wont believe the excellent mileage. Quality, dependable, and long running.