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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  If your tall, get a chiropractor - 2017 Honda Civic
  By ddempsey - September 20 - 6:58 pm

  This is my 5th Civic. The Lumbar is killing me on my daily 88 mile roundtrip commute. There is no adjustment on the LX seats. I traded a 2012 Civic and had no problems with it. I am 62, 185 pounds. Shorter people have tried my car with no issues. My son has a 2007 Civic with no problems. I may have to trade cars with him. The power, ride, steering are a step up from the 2012 LX. Materials are also much better. The center console is quite large, and stuff gets lost under the sliding cupholder. The center guage is to cluttered. The EX is much better desighn. The LX guage must have been an afterthought. The stereo is also inferior to my previuos 2009, and 2012. No midrange. I would recommend taking this car on a long ride before you buy. Maybe find one to rent. As much as I love Honda, I will have to look elsewhere.

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  Honda Reliability is a joke - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Gregw - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a new Civic lx 4 door 5 spd in March 2001. The problem I am having is the car wont idle after it warms up. If you come to a stop & put the clutch in it dies a large percent of the time. I returned it to the dealer they tell me it is a computer program problem and it will be 3 months before they can fix it with a new program. I have talked to Honda Motor Co they are not at all helpfull. I told them that the car is dangerous to drive. I had never owned a Honda prior to this car, I will never own one again.

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  Not All Civics are created equal - 2003 Honda Civic
  By macwindows2002 - September 17 - 10:00 am

  What a crap vehicle. I wish I would have read the Reviews in Car and Driver or Road and Track before I bought this KIA with a Honda badge. What crap!

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  Beware before buying - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By HappyFrog - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I owned a prior CRV and I was disappointed to see that this CRV was lower then my 1998 one was. I have knocked off the CA fuel can for SMOG emissions 3 times now. I have also hit the fuel tank on the CRV with rocks and scraped it going over the same kind of terrian that I took my 1998 CRV. Honda informed me that this CRV was not to be driven on dirt roads or sand, yet they have ads showing this. Even recently I have seen a Honda CRV being driven on the beach (this is not reality). Dont plan on buying this car if you live on a dirt road, it is about as low as a regular car. On the Highway and streets it performs well.

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  overpriced junk!! - 2003 Honda Civic
  By john kim - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I am so upset with my Civic ex!! Bumper are loose and hanging down now. When i drive, its also a rattle box that drive me nut..!!. To make it worse,I paid top dollar for this overpriced junk... Honda? Not for me anymore.

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  honda is crap - 1990 Honda Accord
  By hateshonda - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Sigh... every time that i talk about my honda, I get a headache. I have a 1990 accord ex, and i have been fixing it almost bimonthly, because the damn thing is falling apart. The drive train is crap, the body is rusting out, and all of the sensors have succeded to fail at once. This car is way too expensive to fix, and isnt worth it anymore... my question to you is this... Anybody want to buy a an accord??

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  always with problems - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Tina68 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I hate this van. I got countless problem with this van. I bought this van since hondas big name. But maybe I am not a lucky lady.

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  My Honda Accord LX-P - 2008 Honda Accord
  By kingule - August 31 - 3:36 pm

  All I can say is stay away from this vehicle. 1) Road noise= Loud 2) Vehicle Ride= Very bumpy. 3) Headlights= DIM. For your safety, do not drive this car at night on back roads. 4) Gas Mileage= Poor. 20 - 21 mpg no matter what the driving conditions, even with cruise control on the highway. 5) Seats= Like sitting on a church pew. 6) Rattles,Rattles and Rattles again 7) Horrible wind noise OK, now some positive things: Will be happy when I get rid of it!!!

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  Hated CRV - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By jls1337 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I hated this car. I was uncomfortable driving it - both the seat and the seat back were hard. The armrest was in an awkward position and was uncomfortable. The ride was awful - not enough power. Going up a slight incline was a struggle. Glad to be out of it and back into an Accord.

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  Totally disappointed with CRV-EX-L - 2017 Honda CR V
  By cycruz - August 26 - 9:48 am

  The CRV uses more gas than expected. I am getting 27 miles/gallon in econo mode which leaves me with low power. Getting on the freeway in econo mode takes time but I dont want to have gas mileage lower than that. The gas tank is very small. When gas is getting low, you get a low fuel message and cant see how many miles you have left on the tank. The controls on the screen are impossible to see especially when the sun is shining on the touch screen. Sometimes it goes dim and you cant see the controls to change the AC or entertainment system at all. Or what they call an entertainment system. No CD player at all! The radio doesnt even play local stations that my 10- year old car played fine. The FM goes in and out and is really useless. You have to pay for Sirius to get any stations. But why pay for commercials?? The car is not worth the price I paid for it. I wish I had test driven it longer and checked out the controls better. If you use the USB for example to play a book, the order in which it plays does not follow the order of the book. It is ridiculous. Update: Several months later, still feel the same about not being impressed at all and do not recommend buying a 2017 CRV.