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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  A Civic With the Soul of a Racing Machine - 2011 Honda Civic
  By 90in55 - December 15 - 12:28 pm

  This car in my opinion is one of the greatest Hondas ever built. The Si is really in a class by itself, as Honda has continued to shun turbos in favor of high RPM fun. Youve no doubt read about the severe lack of low end torque, but Im here to tell you that this complaint is way overblown. The car moves smartly around town, and is perfectly calibrated for American highways. The interior is a combo of jet-fighter/Prius, but works fine for me. If you intend to purchase an 8th generation Si, know that the car underwent a mid-cycle refresh in 09, which addressed some minor issues affecting earlier models. There were also some exterior cosmetic improvements in those later years.

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  2012 Honda Fit Sport MT in Vortex Blue - 2012 Honda Fit
  By hondalvr4life - December 14 - 4:26 pm

  I waited 2 weeks for this color to come in from Japan and boy am I glad I did, It is gorgeous, and you dont see it as often as the other colors. The car is fantastic, I def had to get the Manual Transmission and it is soo much better than the Auto. Right now, the car has almost 1,000 miles and I am soo far averaging 33.5 MPG. The updates for 2012 seemed to have worked as the interior is much quieter than the older model. The seats are comfortable, it only cost me $28 bucks to fill up, and its fun to drive. Id say I have a winner with this car and I could not be happier!

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  Pretty Good - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By kleiner - December 14 - 1:42 pm

  We bought this car in Febuary and it had 71,000 miles on it. It has only needed new engine mounts, a new starter, new tire, and a power steering pump.

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  Unparalleled - 2006 Honda Civic
  By 006_si - December 13 - 8:00 pm

  I have had this car for 6.5 years and can confidently say that it is one of the best vehicles Ive ever owned. Performance is superb. Handling is absurdly exciting! As a daily driver, though, it is beautifully well-behaved and placid. Gas mileage is perfectly acceptable, even when you drive it like a speed-demon.

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  I cant imagine a better car - 2003 Honda Accord
  By revs29 - December 12 - 1:46 pm

  I am now at 196,000 miles on my Accord EX-V6 6MT which I bought CPO with 69k miles. I cannot imagine a better all-around car. I have NEVER been stranded with this car and last month went on a 2-week 5000 mile trip with it with zero problems. This car still has serious power and I routinely hit redline. It is the perfect mix of power, comfort, reliability and looks - my S2000 kills it in driving dymamics, but on most days I honestly prefer driving my Accord V6. The only issues I have had are ball joints/struts (Michigan roads!), a drivers side window regulator, and a main seal fixed under warranty. Thats IT. I spend about $200/yr maintaining this car - far less than most brand new cars.

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  I Love My little Civic - 2012 Honda Civic
  By 99eclipses - December 12 - 5:55 am

  To tell you the trusth i hated the last civic. So when the dealership initially showed me this Civic i was thinking in my head, "Im going to hate this, this is a waste of my time", till i actually looked at the car and drove it. My wife also didnt like it till she sat in it, and she fell in love with it after driving it. I had also takin the Nissan Versa out for a drive and when i got in it it was huge! But after 20 mins of sitting in it I absolutly hated it. So we ended up getting the civic for $1k more. The technology in this car is absolutly amazing. Its 3 times what the versa will EVER be.

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  loving this car - 2012 Honda Civic
  By 12civicowner - December 11 - 4:28 am

  I gave up my aging 2000 accord ex-v6 for the 12 civic and have no regrets. Originally my goal was to get a Honda fit which handled nicely and had good utility space but when I sat in a Civic, it was a whole different story. The drivers seat felt great(fits seat felt stiff) and my eyes were drawn to the dashboard. Immediately I was impressed. I test drove it twice at 2 different dealers and fell in love with it and knew i had to go home with it that day. The gas milage is excellent and when Im sitting in it I dont feel cramped at all. I will be enjoying this car for a very long time.

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  2012 CRV EX-L TEST DRIVE - December 10th - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By philip19 - December 10 - 7:34 pm

  Test drove the new CRV this afternoon and bought one for my wife. Replacing her 2003 CRV after 9 exceptionally reliable years. Road noise reasonable (better than earlier models). Nice cabin layout, excellent trunk room (floor lowered), comfortable seats, decent quality leather seating, and reasonable pep. Folding table between front seats is gone (good). Didnt test the Eco mode, but apparently increases highway mpg 7%. Acceleration remains reasonable, but not stellar. Rear leg room appears slightly larger, and rear seats fold down more easily than on previous models. Rear pull out shelf standard. Rear seats more comfortable. Feels more spacious. Great car for the next 9 years!

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  Typical Honda - 2006 Honda Accord
  By roy71 - December 8 - 10:19 am

  This is my second Honda, my first was a 95 accord that made it to 224,000 miles. I really like this new one. It handles much better and rides firmer (which i like) the braking is decent and the 2.4 i v-tec engine is quicker and better on fuel than my old V6. Mine is pretty basic, it has manual cloth seats, no sunroof, no heated seats or nav. but i like it because it does what its supposed to do well. Im a little leery though about the transmission, to me it seems to shift rough compared to other cars ive been in. Mine has 97,500 on it and im hoping it will get me to at least 250,000. I plan to take good care of it and follow the service manual, hopefully it will pay off. If you can, buy one!

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  2012 Honda Civic EX Best Buy! - 2012 Honda Civic
  By gruel - December 7 - 7:03 pm

  I just got a new Honda Civic EX from Bergstrom in Oshkosh, WI. They called me, suggested I come in and trade my 07 Honda Fit. I went in, and test drove the Civic. I really noticed a couple of things immediately..the dash reminded me of the wonderful Mercury Cougar I had in 1990, and the ride was very similar...Quiet! The dash features looked complicated, but the menu took me through it all, and was not any harder than programming my cell phone. Speaking of cell phone, the Blue Tooth hookup in the Civic not only worked first time, but every time I enter the car, it automatically hooks up. I tested it with my wife in the car, watching the dash, and it mated when I was 40 feet away. BUY IT