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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  Very Happy with my CR-V - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Laura in Hampton, VA - December 1 - 10:03 am

  We purchased a Honda CR-V EX a few weeks ago and have been extremely satisfied with it. It handles very smoothly and the exterior looks pretty darn sharp. We traded in our 2005 Toyota Corolla as we have a 6 month old daughter and needed extra room. The safety features (front and side airbags, ABS, etc) are very important to us which is why we went with the EX model. Overall we are very happy with our decision.

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  Best Buy for Your Money - 2005 Honda Accord
  By murf - December 1 - 9:43 am

  Very comfortable to drive...easy to get speeding tickets! Missing many features common with American autos (automatic lights etc.) but I gladly trade them for the Honda quality. 10,000 miles beween oil changes is a plus also.

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  Girl Honda lover my 3rd one now - 1996 Honda Odyssey
  By stover - December 1 - 7:22 am

  I love this ride. When it rains when Im on a curve no problem the car hugs the pavement. I have had 2 civics and this I love it. My mom bought one 2005 Odyssey drove deep into Mexico Twice with not even a flat tires come on. I liked that, bought one Excellent family cars I have used it for work and play & the dam thing is so rugged. It thinks its a truck actually. But yes if they made the same style again I would buy a new one I dont like the new body style. My mom bought the 2006 I hate the sliding doors and the leather seats uncomfortable. I wish the made the 2005-06 style again. Honda= Girl Car. low maintenance, good gas mileage, next new car Honda! P.S. I bought it used with 49,000 miles

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  Excellent all around. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By hofffam - December 1 - 7:20 am

  Bought in Oct. 2005 and have 15,000+ miles now. Bought it because of its handling, ride, interior room, and THE TRUNK. It drives like a taller, firm- riding sport sedan. Great room inside and super-practical. Wish I could get 20 MPG. Oh well - cant have everything. The RL is very close though.

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  Best car weve ever owned... - 2005 Honda Civic
  By J. W. - December 1 - 6:53 am

  We brought this car for a number of reasons, all of which are on the Lefty side of the political spectrum. We are not disappointed. I drive this car 56 miles every day to and from work, most of it is highway with a ten mile jaunt through a small semi-rural town. In the summer I was getting 42 mpg while in the winter it fell all the way down 31 mpg. You will find that the cars engine will not shutdown at stops when it is cold out which can be a bit of a problem up here in Minneasota. Further, when you have the defrost on the econ system, which makes the car shutdown at stops, deactivates. All in all Im overjoyed with this cars performance on the winter roads, it handled like a dream!

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  Style and Performance - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jose felix rodriguez - December 1 - 6:00 am

  The new body style and more powerful engine make this Civic the most fun car I have owned in years. Steering and suspension are nice and tight, the car has the feel of a much more expensive European coupe. Honda has defenitly raised the bar with the 2006 SI.

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  Love It - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Suzanna - December 1 - 3:43 am

  This is my 1st Honda ever and I am trying to figure out why I havent bought one before this. This is a very fun vehicle to drive nice quite smooth ride. The price on it cant be beat. The only thing I dont care to much for is the comfort of the seats, they are firm, need to be a little more plush just like the vehicle is. The vehicle is a Very Classy Smaller SUV. I highly recommend if you have a family of 4 plenty of space for all. We esepcially love the picnic table and the sunroof. 4 1/2 stars for us (again just because of the firmness) thats all.

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  Great Little Car - 1991 Honda Accord
  By Wonderful Car - November 30 - 6:48 pm

  Bought this car used a second hand vehicle and wow, what a smart move. Only had to perform routine maintenance (oil and filter change, water pump,timing belt, tires, alignment). This car handles and looks like a sports car with phenomenal gas mileage (380 miles to the tank) and is UNBREAKABLE. Now has 194k miles and still going strong. Honda should have kept this body style around a lot longer than it did. It is a great car.

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  "Fits" my needs perfectly. - 2008 Honda Fit
  By gs850gx - November 30 - 9:20 am

  Practical to the core! I have about 2500 miles on the car since purchased new in August 2007. Gas mileage has been getting better as it breaks in and currently gets 35+ on a trip and 31 around town, all spirited driving. The car handles great and has proved itself worthy in slush and snow with the factory tires. The drive is Sporty and very enjoyable, decent comfort and stereo make the miles slide by. The interior is very versatile and convenient to access with no stretching and fishing to get things in and out. Build quality seems good. The low beams have been my only real complaint and I had to adjust the headlamps up a bit in thw hilly area where I live. They are pleny bright however.

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  Gotta Love It - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By BPGene - November 30 - 5:53 am

  The week after buying our new Pilot, we had a 24" snowfall. It took several hours for the plows to get the roads open, but our new Pilot handled everything we threw at it without any fuss. I was very impressed with its ability to handle all that snow and icey roads without any kind of slippage. We couldnt ever tell when the power engaged the rest of the wheels. The impecable build of this vehicle is almost perfection. It feels and sounds solid when you close the doors and drive/ride in it. I have heard people say they dont get the kind of mileage they expected, but we get 20mpg up & down a 7% grade every day going 42 miles to work and just last weekend got 22.8mpg on a 300 mile trip.