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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  Noisy Ride - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Sohan Gupta - December 27 - 12:51 am

  I purchased a 2016 CR-V EX-L AWD after reading good reviews and seeing so many CR-Vs on the road. I am somewhat disappointed that this brand new CR-V is so noisy to drive. The cabin is so noisy while driving, it has taken the joy out of driving a new vehicle. I took it back to the dealership and their service technician said that the noise is usually road noise because of tires. In fact when the service shop swapped tires and mounted wheels with the tires from a Touring model, the cabin noise was markedly reduced. Reporting the issue to Honda was no help. So I have to live with the noisy ride for next few years until I need to change tires. So, I recommend that if you want a quieter ride, buy a Touring model.

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  Disappointed - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Disappointed - December 27 - 12:20 am

  My brand new Honda windows started to rattle every morning in one place, then rattle another place in the evening from the 2 week that I brought it home. I bought the car into the shop to have it repair 4 times, but each time, there was no success, in addition, the dash board started to rattle, then something in my visor started to rattle, and they had to change out the visor and patten down the doors to stop the windows from rattling. In the end, it still rattles and they told me "its the nature of the car". Over all, this is my first and last Honda. I have owned this car for about a year and will most definetly trade it in for another vehicle.

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  Great city car, not bad all-around - 2009 Honda Fit
  By TomB - December 26 - 11:43 pm

  We got this looking for a cheaper and more versatile replacement for a Lexus IS, and have been very pleased. Fit-and-finish are excellent despite some cheap materials. Weve been getting ~30 MPG in city driving, and got 33 on a highway trip with two adults, two kids in car seats, and luggage. The transmission needs to downshift to maintain 70 MPH on steeper grades, but does so pretty unobtrusively. More hamsters under the hood wouldnt hurt. Road noise is OK for the price. Low-speed handling is excellent, but the Fit feels tall in tight turns at speed. Navi is very easy to use. The USB connector works fine with iPhone and a 1st-gen iPod nano.

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  Not just a good hybrid, a good car! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By CGameProgrammer - December 26 - 4:36 pm

  This car is much better than the 05 model or the Prius, I feel. Its more comfortable, and the interior design is very functional yet very cool-looking. Theres tons of storage, the steering is very quick with no dead zone, the forward view is very good considering its steep angle, and the controls are laid out very well. The exterior, identical to the sedans, is surprisingly sleek and sporty-looking, except the rear end which is more like a traditional Civic. Acceleration is good at all speeds. I get 39-42 mpg on the highway at 80 mph, 42-48 mpg at 30-60 mph, and 35-39 mpg in bad traffic with acceleration followed by sudden braking all the time. My last tank was 41 mpg over 427 miles.

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  Almost Great - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Nole Man - December 26 - 11:43 am

  I really like the overall practicality of this vehicle. Its roomy and not bad if you have to carry passengers in the 3rd row. For short trips at least. The only beef I have is the quality of the interior materials in certain places. Things like the air vents, climate control knobs are made from some of the flimsiest plastic Ive ever seen in a car. I expect more from Honda.

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  Five Years to Write this Review - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By lik2bik - December 26 - 9:29 am

  Wow! So much to say, so little space. I have been looking and researching this segment for nearly five years. I really wanted a Tacoma, but even with the low car sales plaguing the industry, Toyota didnt want to play. Honda immediately offered me an incredible deal on this 08 RTS that I didnt need any more incentive- I snatched it up. This is an incredibly smart truck- all space is usable seats are comfortable, even in the back where I was concerned most because this often overlooked space is easiest to get cheapest attention (Chevy Colorado). Absolutely the smartest design in this category (if youre looking for heavy hauling, look to full size trucks) fits me like a glove. LUV IT!

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  It goes a Lonfg way - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Jeff Elwell - December 26 - 8:56 am

  I travel to Phila on a regular basis. Ive never had the pleasure of traveling to Phila on one tank of gas and having over a eighth of a tank left. Its a very quiet car. Sometimes I must check my tach. to verify that its running. I love the XM radioin it. I never thought I would but it makes those long drives go faster. Speaking of faster, Ive had it up to 120+MPH on more than one occasion. Nothing vibrated or fell off for over 30 seconds at that speed. Even a State troper pulled along side as I was decelerating from one of these high speed events,( I thought I had it), and mouthed a "wow- A hybrid?" along with a please slow down jesture. I did! He let me go . He must have been impressed

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  First 1,500 mile road trip - 2010 Honda Accord
  By tccas - December 26 - 8:43 am

  My wife and I took our first trip in the car, 1500 miles. She drives it daily, I dont. Our 6th Accord - weve been fans until now, but this cars head restraints, supposedly safer, project themselves so far forward, its impossible to find a comfortable position for driving or riding in the passenger seat. We eventually placed pillows behind our backs to push our bodies, especially heads, forward enough to tolerate the uncomfortable position the head rest forces you into. If you attempt to rest your back against the back rest, normally, then your head is forced forward into an unnatural and very uncomfortable forward position. Deal killer, but its too late for us.

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  Great Car - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Ryan D - December 25 - 11:08 pm

  Pros: Gas mileage. I get 27 in town and up to 36 on the highway in the AWD EX Space/cargo area (my brother and my self are just over 6 feet tall and plenty of room for legs and head in rear) Good visibility Engine very quiet. ***A lot of people are saying that this engine has no power. Coming from driving many v8s over the years and still have a v8 camaro, this engine does just fine with power. If your expecting a rocket ship however, this car is not for you. Cons : USB Port and rear drivers seat rattle. Going over bumps the rear drivers seat rattles, might be from the flexibility of the seat. Will have it checked at dealership sometime soon. No automatic hatch lift. Back up camera is not really to scale and easy to back into something. Better off using the old fashioned way of turning around to check your surroundings I would recommend to a friend though..good overall car for what you pay

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  1990 Honda Hatch Civic - 1990 Honda Civic
  By Philup - December 25 - 7:56 pm

  Ive had my Civic for at least mths and I love it. I have modded it some, far has halo projector headlight, smoked turn signals, fog lights, intake n such. I have maintained it extremely well. I love it, the car is fun to drive, easy to park, the carb will play with ya sometimes far as power but overall the car is wonderful. I will prob keep it long as it runs and then get a small rebuild kit and drive it some more!