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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  Transmission going - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By mary - August 19 - 3:25 pm

  76,000 miles, had new brakes at 50,000, now need new transmission. Whats going on? I thought Honda cars lasted forever. What causes transmissions to go? What will the car do when the transmission goes? This car needs more zip & doesnt like sharp turns. I can feel the tendency to turn over.

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  Better than first impressions - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Flooded Kiwi - August 19 - 1:55 pm

  Found the Ridgeline does not stand out out in any one area, however it does do everything very well. Performance is Ok if you get on it hard enough there is just a ton of storage room (more than it looks 15 in the city and 19 on the highway and it seems to be getting better. I have 4000 miles on it now and no problems. Some rattles and squeaks from the front dash corners by the windscreen where the speakers are which will be repaired at its first service. I am liking my ridgeline more and more as I drive it. Under the back seat fits my golf bag with the seats down:)I would recommend this vehicle to anyone with realistic expectations

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  Great Little Car! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Rico - August 19 - 12:36 pm

  Awesome car. Only drawback is the drivers head restraint is a little too close. The back of your head touches when youre sitting in driver seat. Not adjustable forward and back, only up and down. Otherwise, awesome car!!!

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  Reliable but Noisy and Low - 1998 Honda Civic
  By eyendall - August 19 - 11:58 am

  I bought this car new and have been driving it for almost 10 years in all kinds of weather conditions. It is a good car: well built, good finish, reliable, and economical on gas and repair bills. The only major faults I have with it are excessive highway noise and a low door sill making it difficult to get in and out of the car.

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  Honda Always!! - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By 60-something - August 19 - 4:46 am

  Just got my new 2007 Honda CR-V EX after having an Accord and a Civic in past years. I love it! Its about time they got rid of that ugly wheel on the back door! Im 60-something and thought it would be too big to handle, boy, was I wrong!! It handles very well! It is so comfortable and roomy. I can haul anything now from Home Depot stuff to furniture. Honda has always been reliable for me. My Accord went to 180,000 miles before I traded it in (and I got good trade-in $$) so I expect my CR-V to do the same. Good job, Honda! (especially for getting rid of that wheel 8).)

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  (F)itll Put a Smile on Your Face - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Barry - August 19 - 4:13 am

  Youll be smiling too - you dont even need to be an engineer to appreciate all the talented design and manufacturing expertise that went into this car. In 40 years my wife and I have purchased new - one BMW, one Porsche, one Audi, one Subaru, one Toyota, 3 Hondas and 2 Acuras (Hondas w. more buttons). The 5 Honda products were retained an average of 8 years each, the 3 Germans only 3 years each. In my book, Hondas have the best balance of fun to drive, comfort, long term reliability and low total ownership cost. That makes me smile.

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  A future classic - 2007 Honda S2000
  By JimG - August 18 - 9:32 pm

  I am the proud owner of a 2007 Silverstone/Black S2000. What a gorgeous car. Aging exterior design? The lines are simple, fluid, aggressive and classic. Beautiful today. Beautiful 20 years from now. Dated interior? Your speed in big red numbers so you cant miss it. A bar tachometer shaped like the horsepower curve. AC and stereo controls at your fingertips. Comfy leather seats hold you tight in turns. The top goes up and down in a snap. Engine performance? How many cars put out more than 100 hp per liter, even in 2008? Drive it like a Miata, and youll get Miata-like performance/mpg. Punch it and you have a rocket. A 6-speed four-wheeled sport bike, pure and simple.

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  I hope this thing is reliable - 2005 Honda Civic
  By ricardo - August 18 - 6:08 pm

  Just got this thing. Seems like the mileage is great, acceleration is slow but it cruises nicely. The interior, however, is quite cheesy looking and appears to be made of cheap material. The seats are faded and the material is worn looking, the upholstery is falling off the door panels. Car shows signs of poor assembly and should not look this way at 40,000 miles and 3 years old. Handles well, but rides horribly.

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  We love this truck! - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By RBD - August 18 - 5:53 pm

  We have had this truck for a little over four months now. There is not much not to love about it. We have three kids that ride in the back. There is more leg room than other comparable size trucks and the under seat storage is great. We have towed our camper with absolutely no problems. As a matter of fact, it is hard to tell were towing something, it rides so smooth and strong. It is a classy vehicle to drive and does turn heads.

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  One of the best cars - 1991 Honda Civic
  By David - August 18 - 4:09 pm

  Excellent car, easy to drive. Looks small but has a lot of interior space if you need to move something, just put down the two passenger seats and "voila" Big space. My 80 pounds dog loves the ride. I have taken long trips with my girlfriend and we have plenty of space for our things. Good on gas, I get about 40 mpg. Excellent machine, in 3 years I havent hade any mechanical problem (regular maintenance like changing battery and radiator fan, but this is regular like changing ACs, faucets, or ceiling fans on your house).