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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  Im going to keep it - 2001 Honda Accord
  By bizemoma - July 6 - 4:11 pm

  We bought this car in 2002 with 19K. It now has 124K. We have done oil changes, major services, breaks, tires and that is it. This car goes where ever we need it to. I know this car will go another 200K if taken care of. We have been very happy with this. When it is time to get a new car I will purchase another Honda Accord.

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  Love my new Honda crv ex-l - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By jsanczyk - July 3 - 6:38 pm

  My parents purchased a new Honda crv suv about 2 weeks ago. The car is beautiful. It is black with black leather interior. The navigation is so easy to use and I love driving the car. It handles great and parks so easy.

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  Better than I expected! - 2012 Honda Accord
  By jwell000 - June 25 - 9:54 pm

  The Accord, in my opinion, has always been a nice looking (albeit, not all that flashy) auto with known reliability. All of my past automobiles have been American sports cars, luxury sedans, and trucks. While shopping for a new vehicle, I wanted something that was safe and reliable while providing a modest yet stylish middle-class appearance to my clients. I choose an Accord for practical reasons. I knew instantly that I wanted a V6, leather, and a coupe. I figured this would give me the creature comforts I desired in addition to enough horsepower to keep up with traffic. Boy, was I wrong! This car handles better and has more luxury appointments than many of the vehicles Ive owned.

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  Great experience - 2011 Honda Accord
  By marissas - June 25 - 1:53 pm

  My Honda accord is comfy, roomie, I absolutely love it!!!!

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  Excellent Mini Van - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By gross34 - June 24 - 12:26 pm

  We traded in our 03 Honda Odyssey for the 2010 Odyssey and we absolutely love it. We have had it for 18 months and we have put over 23000 miles on it. We made 2 long road trips with it and no problems. We have had to change the oil at 15% and rotated the tires, otherwise this van is a absolute must for any family. The seating for 8 may bit a bit over rated because the middle seat in the 2nd row is small. Otherwise the vehicle handles well in rain, snow and dry conditions equally. If I had to change anything I would have gotten the AWD model.

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  Great purchase - 2012 Honda Civic
  By soleil575 - June 12 - 10:56 am

  I am very happy that I purchased this EXL Civic. Im enjoying the leather seats, moon roof, navigation, etc. The car is delightful to drive in the city and on the highway and it has more than enough pep for my needs (particularly when econ mode is off, but I usually keep it on to enhance fuel economy). I love the i-mid screen - its convenient to glance at the upper-level screen while driving. The tech is user-friendly and the voice commands are effective and quite intuitive.

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  New 2012! Fun! Fun! Fun! - 2012 Honda Civic
  By aubiekong - June 8 - 10:17 am

  I purchased this car new because it felt like a qaulity product from Honda. The MPG is Fantastic. The instant display bar with MPG makes driving the car a fun "game" to maximize your mileage per gallon. Driving in mostly stop and go traffic I am averaging over 33 miles per gallon! It takes a very light foot but the instant display gives you the feed back to learn to drive with a very light foot on the gas peddle. Well done Honda!

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  2001 Honda Civic - 2001 Honda Civic
  By blipnick - June 7 - 7:28 am

  Fantastic car, 170,000 Km (approx 110,000 miles) and only basic maintenance (except for an alternator). Achieves approx. 48 MPG highway according to the Scanguage II.

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  Best Purchase Ever - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By denant - June 4 - 6:23 pm

  I love my 2012 Honda CRV! I had a 99 Civic for 11 years and I wanted to get a SUV. I was affaid that a SUV would be a completely different driving experience, but to my surprise the CRV drives has a similar feel to my civic, I dont feel like i am driving a bigger car.

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  2009 Honda Fit Sport - 2009 Honda Fit
  By zbomb - June 3 - 12:19 pm

  Ive had my Fit for about 4-5 months now and love it. I bought it with about 30k miles on it and have put about 10k on it since. I love the roominess of the fit compared to other compact cars, in both the front and back seats. I love the hatchback and the way the rear seats can fold both down or up. I drive mostly highway miles and have been averaging 38+ mpg. My car had a remote car starter installed which has also worked great.