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:

• 

  lemon - 2004 Honda Civic
  By gord - May 6 - 10:00 am

  My 2002 honda civic sir is the worst vehicle I ever owned. Gas guage never worked, parking brake never worked, cruise control quit, rain cutter mouldings came out, rear window washer motor and assembley had to be replaced. Gas mileage was poor. The engine ran rough cold and would cough and sputter when hot. The longer I drove it the rougher the clutch and shifting became. I put 31000 km on this car in 11 months. I dealt the car for a four door civic after a 11 months of trouble with the sir hatchback.

• 

  TBL - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Bolingbrook - May 3 - 2:46 am

  Definitely a great choice if wanting to save money on gas. I went from spending $150 per week in an 8 cylinder SUV to $60 per week.

• 

  Review - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Kevin Michaels - April 27 - 8:13 pm

• 

  Honda did again class leader - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By canatsui - April 27 - 2:00 am

  what is with the small tires?

• 

  Moving up from a Fit - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Selden - April 26 - 6:04 pm

  I purchased a Fit sport in 2009, and its been a fantastic car. Excellent gas mileage, incredible cargo space given its external size, great handling, especially on mountain roads, and typical Honda reliability. At 104,000 miles, it has had one repair, a recharge of the A/C system 16 months ago. All that said, a Fit is a noisy car with a ride more like a sports car — you hear and feel every bump. Despite a lot of new features, the 2015 Fit didnt excite me, mostly because of the horrible CVT, and less cargo room. Thank goodness I waited until summer 2015 to pick up a HR-V. Adjusted for inflation, the EX model costs very little than a 2009 Fit Sport, but is a huge improvement. Its better in almost every way, quieter, more comfortable, stronger performance, better sound system, far better A/C, heated seats, moonroof, and the side and rear view cameras, which are more useful than I expected, plus "just enough" extra space, without adding excessively to exterior dimensions. About the only place where the 2009 Fit bests the HR-V is the dash mounted cup holders, which are very convenient. Living in the hot and sunny south, the improvements in the HR-V A/C system are greatly appreciated. The Fit A/C is adequate up to 95° in constant conditions, but it takes a while to cool down. In contrast, the HR-V climate control system is both more powerful and quieter, and gets a hot car down to a comfortable level in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, the front seats are no better. They arent bad, but I have had better. I have only had the car for 24 hours, and already have put a mesh lumbar support on the drivers side, the same one that I used on the Fit. Seats are very personal, so what works for one person may be torture for another. The HR-V seats are "good enough" but could be improved. Between the adjustable seat height and telescoping/tilting steering wheel, it should be possible for almost anybody to find a good seating position, but even a perfect position cant compensate for a hard, flat cushion and too little lumbar support. The HR-V is an extremely versatile car. Number 2 on our short list was the new Mazda CX-3, which probably offers a better drive experience, but the screen sticking up from the middle of the dash, and much smaller cargo space made it a non-contender, even without a test drive. As of summer 2015, HR-Vs are in extremely short supply; we waited 5 weeks before getting the one we wanted, and were pleasantly surprised that the dealer offered a significant discount off the MSRP was a pleasant surprise. Overall, I am very pleased with the HR-V; no car is perfect, but at this price point, the HR-V comes pretty close.

• 

  Lies - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By James - April 25 - 1:03 am

  The Odyssey is a great van, but Honda has misrepresented its fuel economy. The window sticker indicated the van would average 19 city and 26 hwy for mpg. After 10,000 miles the best Ive seen is 22 mpg on the hwy and my average fuel economy has been 17 to 18 mpg. I anticipated my average fuel economy would be 22.5 mpg when purchasing the van. The reduction to 18 will cost me $5,700 if I drive it for 150,000 miles at $4.00 a gallon. Can I suggest class action law suit?

• 

  Economical crossover - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By JMM - April 24 - 2:22 pm

  Easy to handle, wished it was more android friendly. Fortunately, I have a Nexus 6 P phone and took a bit of time to initially pairing it to the HRV but it did pair, has phone contacts, Pandora. Can say the name and it calls the person. Im happy with the HRV. I wanted a smaller SUV, and this is it.

• 

  Excellent Initial Quality - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Don Orchard - April 24 - 7:23 am

  Ive had two weeks to scrutinize the car and it is extremely tight with no noticeable flaws in materals or contruction. The engine is a delight. With the manual transmission, it never feels underpowered. Too soon to tell what kind of mileage it will deliver. Best feature of all, the wonderfully comfortable front seats. Ive owned many cars and never found more comfortable than these. (leather)

• 

  Great purchase - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By JW - April 23 - 11:48 pm

  Love the safety devices!

• 

  Great Car - 2001 Honda Civic
  By RayRay - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive and looks awesome since I tinted the windows.