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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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By damatsam - March 31 - 11:23 pm

  Bought this vehicle after my daughter bought a CR-V. The ride is very smooth, better than expected. Wind noise is a little annoying, but you get use to it. Gas mileage is not all that great. Overall, I am very satisfied with my vehicle.

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  2005 Honda Odyssey EX - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Accords&Odysseys - March 31 - 10:45 pm

  This van has lots of horsepower and speed. I love this van! Its unique and doesnt look like any other van. Everyday I drive this van, I feel like drag racing. 255 HP is damn good for a minivan. No problems and I have 28,000 miles on it now. The only complaint I have is its hard to see the gas gauge with the steering controls in the way. Usually in a car youre able to drive and look at the gas gauge, in the van you wont notice the gas gauge till the last minute. Otherwise feels like your floating.

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  Totally Awesome!!! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Dana - March 31 - 2:06 pm

  First, I would like to say that I can not believe that I am in a Civic. I had owned a 96 Civic, before I just purchased the Lx 06 Civic, and it is totally redesigned in a classy way. It handles the road so smooth, and so much fun to drive. The price is just right for all the things that you get. I can see why it was voted Motor Trend car of the year!!

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  intial impressions are great - 2009 Honda Fit
  By lipomaman - March 31 - 11:06 am

  Having had the car for two days and 200 miles, this is an initial impression only. It took a bit of time to get the steering wheel and seat adjusted to me but now my only comfort complaint is lack of leather. The manual is VERY forgiving and took a bit of getting used to as the fit replaced a Porsche 944S2 Cab 5M. Handling is tight. Good visibility. GREAT use of space with the variable seat positions. The AVG MPG display has me pegged at 40.4 with 25%city and 75% hwy and was at 41.8 after the first 120 miles of 95% hwy driving. Cant argue with that. My wife and Au pair love it and think its easy to drive. Ill addend this if anything major evolves over time.

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  Atomic Blue - 2007 Honda Element
  By Bergie - March 31 - 11:00 am

  I have the base model LX and I am very pleased with all the features. It is very smooth, lots of pep, handling is great, and I average about 24 mpg. This is my third Honda and the quality and reliability of all of them has been outstanding.

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  Finally found the "one" - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Cheryl - March 31 - 6:10 am

  I must say this has been a long search for the automobile of my dreams. I am sure other more expensive models would be great. But being a single Mom of two, I needed an automobile with the perfect features. Roominess for my growing kids as well as reliability. This being our only vehicle, I needed to have safety and gas economy also important features.

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  Cool - 1991 Honda Civic
  By kid - March 30 - 10:02 pm

  I love this car, love the way it can turn soo fast, Ive rebuilt the frame for the rust had eaten away at it and gave it a cool paint job now it looks like new. Its only an automatic but its my sweet heart.

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  The Truck you need, if not the one you want. - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kaleb G - March 30 - 9:29 pm

  I liked the looks of the Tacoma and Colorado quite a bit more than the Ridgeline but after test driving all three, there was no doubt in my mind which one I would buy. If not the comfort, then the tech, if not the tech, then the active safety equipment. I absolutely love the fold up rear seats and the trunk bed, well worth the slightly higher bed height

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  Good, but not great - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By GeoMan - March 30 - 1:49 pm

  Ive owned this car for 15 months now. This is a very good, safe and reliable SUV. Its very solid with no rattles. However, there is more road noise that expected. The gas mileage ratings of 17/22 are a dream. Reality is more like 14/20. Ive taken this vehicle on several 300 to 800 mile trips. Ive soft pedalled the gas and kept the speed between 70 & 75. The best Ive seen is 20 MPG. I would certainly recommend the Pilot, as long as you know ahead of time the mileage is overstated.

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  first suv - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By glenn krantz - March 30 - 7:03 am

  front seats great,seats rear leg room a plus,all doors open fully & extra cargo space