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:

• 

  An SUV for Generation X - 2003 Honda Element
  By Chris Gaines - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Heads turn where ever I go especially in the snow where the automatic 4 wheel drive works betther than my Jeep Cherokee did. The interior is great for travel with no worries of getting the car messy because everything come right out. Biking and camping, this car is made for the work week and the extreme weekends that can be afforded with this cars price.

• 

  Amazing car! - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Jeff MGB - March 15 - 2:00 am

  We just purchased our Si. We also looked at Mini and VW GTI. This car is far and away the best value of the three, arguably the best built, most likely the most reliable, and an absolute hoot to drive.

• 

  Best All Around Vehicle........ - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Jose V - March 14 - 4:43 pm

  The best all around vehicle you can buy. its Fun to Drive, the Performance is great, the Interior Design has lots and lots of room, the Reliability, is outstanding, and most of all the Fuel Economy is the best ever on this vehicle. Its like driving a BMW but its a Honda. I think its the best vehicle on the market. Customer service and repair service is outstanding. If your looking at the best vehicle to ahve look no further. Honda is there. I love my Honda..............

• 

  Great Value - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Akif T - March 14 - 7:40 am

  I have an Audi A6 and Jetta. Jetta was my commute car but after 165K, decided for a equivalent fun commute car. The V6 is great, amazing stereo, navigation is outstanding. It has enough room to fit a car seat and have two people comfortable in the back. The only drawback is that my car vibrates at around +60mph. I will be taking it back to the dealer - dont know if it is wheels or engine. The ride is not smooth - the main purpose I bought the V6 was for a comfortable ride and to avoid frequent trips to dealership for fixes and repairs. Will have to wait and see how Honda service measures up against the Audi and VW which were very dissapointing. All in all, we love the V6 with Navi

• 

  Best Sportscar I have ever owned - 2007 Honda S2000
  By Rogers s2k - March 14 - 6:05 am

  I have had five sports cars over my 40 plus years of driving and this S2K is by far the best overall driving machine I have ever had the pleasure of operating.

• 

  Cant go wrong - 2014 Honda Accord
  By K - March 13 - 6:38 pm

  This car is simply amazing, Im pretty much in love with it. I sat in the front, the passenger, the back seats, all the seats are extremely comfortable. I really do not know what all the complaining is about. I am 510 and 200lbs of medium muscular build and this car fits me perfectly. The performance of the car is amazing. The engine puts out intense power for its small size and fuel economy is still at 40mpg when you are driving it properly. The "Eco" button is great. The car holds the road very stable and the suspension is a smooth ride. It feels like a caddilac. A little rougher over bumps and stuff than I expected but that is probably because it still has factory tires. Someone said the trunk is small. Sorry guys, this trunk is utterly massive. You could literally fit two grown adults inside it and have room to spare. Someone complained about folding seats. As far as I am aware my back seats do not fold down at all. This isnt an issue for me. The interior is so spacious, luxuriant, and aesthetically attractive as well as utilitarian and useful, that I simply could not ever criticize any one thing about it. Everything down to the spring-loaded cupholder that "hugs" your cup so that any size cup fits it. The rear windows are positioned so well and so large that checking my blindspots or seeing behind me could not possibly be any easier. The shifting is liquid smooth when you do it properly and the steering response is incredible. I have driven over 3,000 miles now and these are literally the only two complaints I have: There is no gear indicator. Is this really necessary? No. Would it be nice? Yeah. But who cares. I cannot adjust the brightness on my instrument panel (Tach, speedo, etc.). It is available on some models, but apparently not mine. This makes no sense to me. So, for all the things that you could complain about in a car, the seats, the performance, the price, the interior, any of it, I literally could only find two infinitesimal and non-issue things to complain about. Buy this car today.

• 

  Would Do it again and again - 2003 Honda Civic
  By James - March 13 - 4:57 pm

  This car has filled most all we expected it too. the only complaint we have is we average about 35 Hwy and the sticker said 38 when we bought it. We bought it new and have 90,000 miles on it and have only changed the oil when we were supposed to. Great little car.

• 

  Quality economy car, fun to drive - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Nate - March 13 - 4:19 pm

  We gave up our big cushy Olds Aurora when we got the 05 Civic EX SE. Ive not once regretted it. Reliable is an understatement, as it has not once had an issues. It just runs and runs well. The 5-speed manual is really peppy and is probably the biggest reason that I enjoy driving this car. Fuel economy is around 32 mpg with a pretty even mix of city/highway miles. The interior is considerably more comfortable than any other economy car Ive used. We have Corollas and Cavaliers at work and they are cheap feeling in comparison. The interior and trunk were designed well. The family rides comfortably and the golf clubs easily fit in the trunk! With snow tires, it handles winter well.

• 

  great vehicle - 2004 Honda Element
  By howard - March 13 - 3:28 pm

  the car is so practical. there are so many things that you can do with this car. packing the car with many items is easy. so many other cars are not practical, just made to look attractive and comfort and interior room count more for the drivers.

• 

  another great Honda from Sierra Honda - 2016 Honda Civic
  By kima - March 13 - 1:04 pm

  Honda is a reliable brand. You get what you pay for and for what you expected to get.