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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  Love it! - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Donna - October 1 - 1:33 pm

  Thousands less than the Prius and comparable mpg. Plus, it seems like everybody and their brother drives a Prius these days! I like having a car thats not ubiquitous. Its fun to drive, and I am getting around 50 mpg. I am very happy with my Insight!

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  Love the CVT - 2016 Honda Fit
  By gloria thomas - October 1 - 12:36 pm

  This is the first time I have received wildly different price quotes on a small car like this. Shopping around really paid off. As for the car, I love it. This was my first automatic, and I was concerned that I would find it dull, but it is still fun to drive. I have read a few people complaining about the CVT making noise in the lower gears, but for someone who is used to manual transmissions, I like the fact that I can detect its downshifting. I have only driven the car 500 miles, but I am getting 40 MPG combined driving--better than with my old manual Fit.

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  Great Little SUV - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By vmb63 - October 1 - 11:23 am

  We puchased this SUV to replace my wifes Passat Wagon. We werent sure which we wanted, another wagon - Volvo XC70 or an SUV. We saw this on the road one day and the wife loved it. It has just enough cargo space, spacious passenger cabin, fun and easy to drive, very safe, the award winning VTEC Honda engine and great fuel economy for a decent sized SUV. Nicely equipped, excellent build quality and famed Honda reliability. The engine is responsive and quiet. We were sold on the CR-V after the test drive.

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  No regrets! - 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By JIm - October 1 - 9:56 am

  Been shopping for over a year, comparing all models in this class. Also reviewed all the Edmunds, Consumer Reports, and Motor Trend Reviews to find a reason why I should not buy this car for my family of 5. I could not find one, other than the controversial styling, which I love. Looks like an Accord on steroids! Love the ride too; responsive, plenty of room for my 3 adult sized children in the back seating, and the quietness of the interior w/Active Sound Control makes the stereo and the cabin much more pleasurable. I did not want an SUV or minivan like every other family. This has great utility and rides like a car. NO regrets!

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  Good Daily Driver - 2004 Honda Civic
  By hansel313 - October 1 - 3:25 am

  I have owned this car for a little over 2 years now. I bought it for getting to work and college, as well as cheap insurance. The Civic is pretty slow, and I usually have to rev into 4-5k RPM to make it to freeway speeds by the time I need to merge. Freeway passing is slow, unless you downshift to 4th. Gas mileage is good, but not the greatest, but one of the better ones at the price. I havent had any major mechanical issues, just a broken power door lock actuator which was fixed under the extended warranty. Maintenance is a breeze. Interior breaks and scratches easily. Good view out the rear. It gets you from A to B, which is its intended purpose.

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  Trumps luxury brands, even from Hondas own acura - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Pey - October 1 - 3:12 am

  You can get a great sound system with subwoofer (almost the same thing you get on ILX top ELS version), a powerful yet very efficient turbo engine that is both snappy and stingy on gas, great styling inside and outside, top tech including self steering that lets you take your hands off the steering wheel for a few good seconds even in a turn, adaptive cruise that takes the car to full stop and restart going in stop and go traffic. And apple and android car play that takes the entertainment system to another level. Cant find the same combination not in any luxury brand today.

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  Accord V6 is a great ride! - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Hector Torres - September 30 - 11:46 pm

  Test drove Toyota Camry, Accord Sport, Mazada 6 (Standard) was very compelling, and this was the best drive. I like the seats on my old VW Passat a little better, but so fart that is the only little disagreement. I like that it takes regular unleaded, the oil filter is an actual filter, and it is not too hard to get at.

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  Hoobie Joobies! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By George Hockenbliber - September 30 - 9:53 pm

  Wow man! This car rocks my socks! Wicked! Whoa! Eeeeek! Neck breaking acceleration! Speed at every turn! Holy shnykees!

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  Superb truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By jgonzalez - September 30 - 9:52 pm

  I bought this truck to replace a 2002 Ford Ranger. I am very pleased with my purchase. The truck rides like a car, has lots of interior room and I really like the "trunk". Honda definitively builds quality vehicles.

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  99 Accord LX V6 - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Krishna Prasad - September 30 - 4:48 pm

  I bought my Accord in 99. I have clocked 113K so far. While the car has generally been low maintenance, the transmission had to be replaced at 102K. After reading the comments, looks like transmission has been a problem on 99-03 edition. And now the rack and pinion assembly needs to be replaced. Has anybody faced this problem? Brake rotors and power steering pump were replaced too. I guess after 100K, there is no escaping from frequent maintenance expenses. But the engine and performance is still impressive. I do 60 miles round trip daily and the drive is very comfortable with the V6 notwithstanding the $4 gas. I hope to get it to at least 125K without much expense