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 value - 2004 Honda Accord
  By John - August 11 - 1:49 pm

  I love the car wife was the one that suggested getting an accord because one of her coworkers had one, i found this one close to where i live and absolutely love the vehicle I have the 4 cylinder and it has plenty of power and great gas mileage i have been through 3 or 4 tanks and get 27 to 30 in the car.

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  Great Car! - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Ravi Theja Vuruturu - August 11 - 1:35 pm

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  Sunburn - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Susan Massey - August 11 - 1:13 pm

  The windshield goes so far back that my hands are perpetually sunburned and peeling. This is the only problem with the car, but it is a BIG ONE. Any ideas?

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  very impressed - 2002 Honda Accord
  By da bomb - August 11 - 11:44 am

  I bought this car with 29,000 miles on it and have averaged 25,000 a year on it and have not had a single solitary problem, not one. Plenty of power for the size vehicle, gets good highway mileage. around town i get around 18 mpg, but i drive like an idiot. I also found the fold down rear seats to be useful on more than one occasion. Good stereo system.

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  CR-V almost killed us - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By dld1672 - August 11 - 8:58 am

  I am very disappointed with my CR-V. As a matter of fact it was just towed away this morning. It broke down on the highway last Fri while I was doing 65 mph with my 9 yr old in the car. We could have been killed. The car was inspected last month by the dealership and it passed. This is the final straw. The car has been slowly falling apart. The glove compartment does not open. The rear door does not open. The seatbelts lock up for no reason and choke you. The clock broke long ago. The radio has stopped working at times. The key fob would not open the door for about a year and now that works again. It had to be opened using the key. Its been one thing after another.

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  Great Little Car For Sure! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Bernice Arnold - August 11 - 8:21 am

  Leased in 2006 and best decision I ever made. Had an oil leak in the first week of leasing but Honda was fantastic in replacing with all new parts and havent had ANY problems since. Mileage is great and this car handles like a charm. Highly recommend a civic to anyone who wants fuel efficiency, a reliable vehicle and doesnt cost an arm and leg.

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  Best One Yet! - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Rick Brown - August 11 - 7:03 am

  I have had many Hondas as well as the competitive models in its class and this is the best one yet! I LOVE IT!

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  First foreign car, let alone truck. - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Dave Sanders - August 11 - 5:46 am

  So far its been great. Everything that Consumer Reports and Motor trend state about it is accurate. Looks great, rides great, ergonic layout and the base model is pretty loaded. Im lovin it.

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  Nobody wants this truck, and heres why - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Drew S. - August 10 - 9:57 pm

  This truck is not what Americans want to buy, and Im going to explain to you why. 1) Styling - This truck is styled to look sleek and urban... when Americans buy trucks, they want something that looks mean, aggressive, and tough, never-mind 99% of usage is commuting to work. 2) Two Rating - Americans want trucks that can tow over 10,000 lbs, never-mind 95% will never tow anything and 99% will not exceed the 5000 lbs this truck is capable of. 3) Cargo Capacity - Americans want a truck that can hold at least 1,500 lbs in the bed... wait, this truck can do that too. 4) Handling & Ride Comfort - Americans want a truck that sways to the side when turning and rides rough, this truck will never do. 5) Wide Bed - Americans dont want to be able to fit a piece of 4x8 plywood flat in the bed, they want it to have to be angled-in... it just makes sense. 6) Drives like a Car - This truck handles like a mid-sized SUV and corners like a champ thanks to torque vectoring. Trucks are supposed to be difficult to drive, to ensure you take corners slow. 7) AWD - Real trucks have 4x4, that way the power is never there when you need it in real-world conditions like rain covered roads or spotty ice/snow. 8) In-Bed Storage - Americans know all they want to haul in their truck is landscaping bricks and hay bails, what would they ever use the lockable under-bed storage for? 9) Compact Spare - Americans need a full size spare, for the once-every-five-years they get a flat with a loaded trailer or in off-road conditions. 10) Swing-open tailgate - Tailgates are only supposed to open one way, we want to crawl in the bed to get to items in the front. 11) V6 - It doesnt matter this truck can tow 5000 lbs and carry 1500 lbs, Americans need to support the oil and gas industry - we need V8 power! 12) In-bed-Inverter - Americans dont want 110 volts in the bed, keep it in the cab, and well run extension cords for our tailgating activities. 13) Go-pro mount - How do you expect us to capture our drive to work without a go-pro mount in the winshield? Everybody on youtube wants to see my drive to work! As you can see, this truck clearly isnt built for Americans... but if youre arent American, or if you want to buy a truck for the specs/features youll use instead of the specs/features that look good on paper, then you might just enjoy this truck as much as I do.

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  Bad Design for a Hybrid vehicle - 2006 Honda Civic
  By david384 - August 10 - 9:25 pm

  I am traveling salesmen. I drive 40K miles per year. So, I figured I would help mother earth and my pocket book. Bought a used HCH hybrid. Great car I thought. When I purchased this car, I was getting 47+ MPG. I have owned for 8 months, and then all the sudden my MPG goes to 36 MPG. I take to dealer and they tell me it is the heat. Well I have driven this car 26K miles in the past 8 months. I told them it was funny that it worked fine, and then all the sudden crappie MPG. They said that the heat or a bad battery was the problem. Ask them is their a test for the battery? Answer No! Seems funny they can tell me the IMA is fine, but they can not tell me the battery has a bad cell.