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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  Fit - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Gary W. Maschmeyer - August 7 - 3:10 am

  I have researched this car since early March 2006 and I have found that the information that I have received from several sourices is correct. The fit is fun to drive and easy to drive. It has interior room then I thought and the safety features are second to none on a car this size. I am still breaking in the car but the gas mileage so far has been great. The interior room is more than enough.

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  Honda Pilot for Earl - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Earl K - August 6 - 8:56 pm

  I live in Colorado and go to the Mountain all the time. With the Pilot I dont have to worry about the weather. Blizzards, snow drifts are easy for the Pilot. We own a cabin in the mountain and even with 3 foot drifts of snow I can get into the cabin. The Pilot is the only vehicle that can handle my family on trips. My son is 64", My daughter is 60", I am 60" and my wife is 57". Of course the adults sit in the front and there is plenty of leg room for the kids in the back. Gas milage across Nebraska or Kansas is usually 24-25 Miles per gallon, easy to deal with. The Pilot has also been in some pretty hairy situations in the mountain and come out like a rose.

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  I like this car - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Benjamin Cox - August 6 - 6:11 pm

  Lets face it if you are looking for a fun car that is going to make you smile every day from the shear joy of driving this is not the car. But if you want a stable solid car that gets you there safely, and the Honda Sensing makes it safe its hard to go wrong. I am getting about 30mpg, in a large safe quiet car that is easy to drive for 1000s of miles. I dont know how quickly it goes 0-60, dont know how fast I can corner on some extreme road, but I do know the brakes and other stuff that keeps me alive works.

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  1991 Black Beauty-5speed - 1991 Honda Accord
  By Crazy about Imports - August 6 - 1:43 pm

  This car has 207,000! The hatch is so great for hauling anything and the styling still looks great. Much more economical on gas than a van or SUV and more fun to drive. My husband had reservations about a wagon but he now loves the versatility and how much we can pack in it. The fact that the rear bottom seat cushions pull up for extra storage & cleaning is way cool. The seats are still firm after 16 years. We have had the usual replacing of old and worn parts but it has been an exceptional car. It is unfortunate that Honda does not make them anymore in a car market full of wagons & crossovers. It will be sold soon to make way for way for a Toyota Prius that we have on order.

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  Would buy it all over again - 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By tallmke - August 6 - 8:33 am

  After reaching 250000 trouble free miles on my CRV I decided to look for a different car. The Pilot seemed too big and I wanted something a little larger than the CRV, this was it. Im 64" and fit very well in the Crosstour. Love the AWD, the Navi, bluetooth, great power and room. I like the height too, my 95 year old grandfather can get in and out with ease. The shock towers limit the cargo with a bit, but not a huge deal. Would be nice to be able to change the Navi voice, "she" sounds a little naggy sometimes. Only problem was with the dealer, Certified Used from Hidy Honda in OH. TERRIBLE. Would never buy a car from them again. Needed rear brakes after 6000 miles.

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  The Future of the SUV is here now! - 2005 Honda Element
  By Ted A. van Landingha - August 5 - 3:33 pm

  A well-designed, practical vehicle that is both fun to drive, functional in almost any situation, and interesting to look at. This vehicle has created a sense of brotherhood amongst its owners, much the way Jeeps did in the past. Every owner that I have met says they prefer it to any auto that they have ever driven. Pros: great sound sytem, loaded with accessories, smooth car-like ride, solid and detailed constuction, huge back seat legroom, and a spacious interior. Cons: I wish Honda made an "Element Offroad" with full locking 4WD, huge tires and wheels, skid plates, a "real" roof rack like the Nissan XTERRA, and the Honda Pilot V6 engine.

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  Great interior, looks, and tech - a few minor issu - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By MDCRVOwner - August 5 - 7:35 am

  We have owned three Honda vehicles, including a Honda Pilot, before we switched to Ford for the last two cars that we owned. After reading reviews of the CRV and drooling over pics, we purchased a 2017 CRV Touring AWD three days ago. I wanted something very practical (so I can sit in traffic in comfort) with good fuel economy and the CRV really delivers. Among the positives - the interior is well appointed and sized really well (it feels just a bit smaller than our old Pilot, but not cramped in any way). The tech on the vehicle is excellent including the Apple CarPlay and the adaptive cruise control. I also really like the styling on the vehicle. I always thought the previous generation CRVs looked a little uhhh...frumpy. They have done a great job in moving to more of a true SUV look with the vehicle and I really like it. Handling is excellent and body roll is minimal. On the negatives power is a little wimpy (Im coming from a 280 HP sedan), but adequate and Im fine with it considering the fuel economy. One thing that bugs me a little is that the fan on the heat/air conditioning is pretty loud, especially when the car is first started and is coming to temperature. It is loud enough that people on the phone have trouble hearing me. I just turn down the fan while Im on the phone. I also had one instance where the nav system did not boot fully. It came up to the blue Honda background, but no icons appeared, not even the home icon...nothing. I therefore had no way to tune the radio or use the climate controls. At the next stop light, I shut the car down and started again. Still no icons on the screen. At the next light, I shut down again and waited for the H on the drivers screen to completely disappear. I restarted and this time the nav system fully booted and I was able to use normal functions. This has happened one time out of the three days that I have owned the car. I alerted the dealer to this issue and will continue to track it. Even with this minor issue, I can say that over the three days that I have owned the CRV, my opinion of this vehicle has increased. It is a total package combining a great interior, exterior, technology and fuel efficiency into a very practical vehicle. Would buy again without hesitation. Update: After a week of ownership, I have had no further issues with the Nav system. Also, with more moderate outdoor temperatures later in the week, the climate control system has not had to work as hard and therefore fan noise inside the CRV has been much lower.

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  Third and Counting - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Dawuud - August 5 - 12:53 am

  This is my third Accord and the third Accord I love. I gave up the last one with 194,000 miles and it now has over 250,000. After a brief stint with a 94 Acura, Im back with the Accord and its a wonderful car to drive. Its very comfortable and the heated seats are great this time of year. Driving up a mountain was easy the one time I did. The car has very good road manners and the steering is much better than I thought. The power is more than sufficient for everyday driving and if you dont watch yourself you can drift into speeds that get you the ticket I got 2 months ago.

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  Beautiful Blue - 2008 Honda Civic
  By mJc - August 4 - 6:56 pm

  My 2008 Honda Coupe is a magnificent driving machine. Great gas mileage yet it still provides me with the feeling that Im driving a sporty car.

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  a great car - 2005 Honda Element
  By doug adams - August 4 - 6:40 am

  just a great vehicle. drives like a truck but gets good mileage and very roomy. pickup is a little off but is a great vehicle