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 car - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Jarrod 34 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  They did it right- great package, fun and easy to use the voice activated Navigation system is really cool, it has a "help" screen to help you learn the commands, lots of room in the cabin, love the duel heating

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  Problems, problems problems.... - 2001 Honda Civic
  By nicoleb - October 3 - 12:52 am

  I wrote an article a year ago or so, but i really want to warn anyone looking into buying this year of civic. Dont. This car is not abused but somehow i have managed to go through 3 sets of struts, new wheel bearings, a new front bushing, my air conditioning is going out, the TRANNY BLEW @ 100k that alone was $2000, the air bags suddenly stopped working, it sputters at stop lights. I have two loans out on this car. one for the actual car and one to fix it, and I am only one of the few that this happened to and i am mad. if i can persuade just ONE person to rethink buying one, i will be at least partially satisfied...

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  The best vehicle I have ever owned. - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Todd Caudle - October 2 - 8:27 pm

  My 2002 CR-V EX is the fourth Honda I have owned and my eighth vehicle. My last four vehicles have all been Hondas. I dont have much negative to say about it. The only trouble Ive experienced, has been with Gas Filler threads causing the Gas Cap to be a little hard to put on. I had one of the front stabilizer links to pop off on one end. Other than that it has been a great vehicle. It has over 100,000 miles on it, but looks, drives, feels and sounds like it only has 100 miles. I will probably never own anything but a Honda.

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  Standing the test of time - 2005 Honda Accord
  By DV8mAn - October 2 - 12:20 pm

  After 125,000 miles, Im still happy. Bulletproof car, great mileage and ride. Feel confident behind the wheel at hwy speeds. Dont want to part with this car until at least 250,000 miles. Only negative is the brakes are too small, so the rotors warp faster than normal. Other than normal maintenance, only issue so far is a dead battery (which could be considered normal).

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  A Lot of Value for Your money. - 2017 Honda Civic
  By JB - October 2 - 9:40 am

  I changed my 2011 Audi A4 for this car. It is absolutely awesome to drive it. The acceleration is very responsive, very little turbo Lag. Nothing compared to my previous A4, which had a huge turbo lag. This car drives 3 times better than my previous Audi, really. The interior is very nice, very good design. There are a few stock things that really suck on the Hatch Sport 2017. The headlights are very average. The sound could be A LOT better. The Bluetooth system is not great, but these are all things that can be upgraded/modified. The mods on this care are super reasonable, price wise. This car is super easy to modify, you can do it yourself, like I did. I do get a lot on complements on this car. Very happy for my purchase, I could not be happier. The stock 18"s are very cool, I love them. They do make the ride a bit hard, but it is also part of the suspension, which is very sporty.

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  really satisfied - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By zack - October 1 - 9:22 pm

  Looked at Explorer Track and Toyota but the in bed trunk and Honda reliability got me. Priced a little high and designed a little younger than I wanted. Ive got 60,000 miles on it and have only had regular service. Put 5200 mile on it on one trip in June this year and it rode great.

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  Aint No BMW - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Fudbutter - October 1 - 8:26 pm

  This car was delivered new in July 1999. After 9 years and 139,000 miles it has proved to be reliable to get us from point A to point B consistently, but over that time, the cruise control conked out and she leaks oil (About a quart a fill up) despite diligent maintenance. The body has a bit of rust and many nasty door dings. Other than that, no major issues. Brakes and timing belt have already been replaced but tranny has showed no issues. It is used as a the car to get us to the city, airports or anyplace we would be uncomfortable taking our precious roadster. All in all, it hasnt been the "bulletproof" transportation that it was supposed to be, but it has never left us stranded.

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  my sons civic - 1999 Honda Civic
  By Mary - October 1 - 4:39 pm

  I bought the 99 civic for my 17 year old son with 82,000 miles on it. It has been a solid car and he has not had any mechanical problems. He gets about 32 miles per gallon average. It is sporty, fun to drive, and it seems to be what all the young men are looking for. He plans on keeping it through his four years of college and I believe that it will last that long if not longer.

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  1200 miles on it. - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By ICDAvi - October 1 - 2:41 pm

  Very comfortable for both commuting and hauling the family. Annoyed by all the door safety interlocks, but getting used to them. Fit and finish is average. The dash looks like it was slapped together with some of the lines and edges not matching up. The passenger air bag trim is slightly lifted causing a gap between it and the dash. So far I am happy with it. Got 24.3 mpg with 95% highway and 21.5 mpg with 75% highway (AC always on). Looks like the mpg is getting better as the engine breaks in and the computer better controls the VCM.

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  Look at accessory photos before you purchase - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By J.McGuchi - October 1 - 2:38 pm

  I am slowly liking my new car more and more. Ive owned the CRV for one month now had have driven approximately two thousand miles. I average 500 miles a week. I have no mechanical complaints. The new variable transmission is a little whiney and noticeable at times . But nothing to complain about. My former vehicle was a fully loaded 2012 Odyssey except navigation to a base model 2015 AWD CRV. The two vehicles are very different. I was trying to downsize, get better mpg, and AWD. My chief complaint is that the accessories I had put on the CRV were not the same size as the Odyssey. The raised roof rack is not the same as the raised roof rack on the Odyssey. The tow package with the 2" ball is not what I expected either. My kids say the back seats are uncomfortable . I am going to get memory foam back support pads for them. They also miss the XM radio and entertainment package. I did buy a portable XM radio receiver it was free with subscription . The rear view camera is much smaller. I must say I really enjoyed working with Phil Ha at Stevens Creek Honda in San Jose, Ca.. Phil got back to me within minutes every time I contacted(email,text,voicemail) him. Phil give me the best price for my CRV within a 500 mile radius . I had contacted 4 other dealerships and Phil still had the best price. I really enjoyed working with Phil Ha and edmunds. I would recommend working with Phil and edmunds.