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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  Best Package - 2003 Honda S2000
  By Jsherm - July 2 - 2:00 am

  For under $35k you will not find a better performance car for the money. I challenge anyone to find a car that will do sub 5.5 sec 0-60 for this price. There are many cars out there that will do this for $70k or $125k, but not $33k. Some complain about the torque on the car, but honestly, if the car does 0-60 in 5.5sec, there is enough torque there, whether the number is high or not is not the issue. Some people do not get it, you can have a car with extreme torque that takes 7 seconds to get to 60mph.

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  2002 Honda CRV-EX - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By hondacrv - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for eleven months and have experienced only one problem, the tires. The stock tires are cheap junk. Other than that this is an excellent vehicle for hauling passengers in roomy comfort. The CRV handles well (better tires would help), is comfortable, and the 2.4 liter engine is torquey and accelerates with the best. The transmission can be hard to get into gear when downshifting from second to first or when upshifting the same two gears. The transmission needs some improvement to make shifting smoother.

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  Three Car Seats - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By SUVNOMORE - July 2 - 2:00 am

  No more back aches. Loading three into car seats in an SUV was not fun, but with our Odessey, we look forward to getting out of the house. Great attention to detail and fun to drive. Quiet on the road and handles bumps exceptionally well.

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  Best Car Ever - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By mchae - July 1 - 7:09 pm

  I love my CR-V and am considering getting a new one. It has been 100% reliable and the best car Ive ever owned even after 165k miles.

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  Honda CRV- Most dependable & Comfortable - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By donna - July 1 - 6:05 pm

  I love my Honda CRV. I have driven two types of vehicles my entire life. The Honda is and always has been the most comfortable, safest, dependable.

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  Quick Steering - 2007 Honda Civic
  By PMG - July 1 - 12:16 pm

  The Civic has very quick steering and at highway speeds you need to concentrate. It hanles very well is comfortable, peppy, and good gas mileage, 27 city. Compared it to a Mazda3, but the mileage, styling and dash sold me. I do not regret it at all. A bit too much road and wind noise. My other car is a BMW 5 series, and I prefer the Honda. This is my 4th Honda since my 1986 Accord. The new civic is exactly the same size.

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  Love the Car and Driving Green! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By ThinkGreen - June 30 - 9:43 pm

  The only thing I didnt like were the beige cloth seats -- they show the dirt. If the civic hybrid would have come in a hatchback, I would have purchased it instead of the sedan.

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  Grateful for our Honda and Honda Service - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Frank/Carol Speno - June 30 - 1:31 pm

  Our Honda Odyssey was purchased coming off of a lease. When we noticed that it had been used for towing we decided to purchase the extended warranty for peace of mind. So glad we did! The contacts on the sliding doors were replaced, also the transmission along with some minor things. Today the catalytic converter and the timing belt are being replaced at our cost out of warranty. This is our first major expense out of pocket. Weve gotten great service and care! We own a 1997 Accord. It is very reliable, but we prefer driving and riding in our Honda Odyssey for the comfort and ease of getting in and out and the ride. We both have back problems. We would again purchase an Odyssey. We love it!!

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  What a great little car. - 2005 Honda Civic
  By rrgy2k - June 30 - 1:00 am

  We bought it because were trying to get good in-town gas mileage in a car that has comfortable room for 4 adults. We havent been disappointed. Im the engineer, but my wife routinely gets the better mileage around town (41 vs my 40 on the trip odometer). Our mileage on the trip odometer is actually a couple mpgs low, because it over reads gas consumption a bit and because the speedometer reads 1.5% fewer miles than we really travel (measured on 100 miles on I95 in SC) (this also explains why it understates speed by 1.5% as well). Actual gas mileage, with 1000-2000 miles on the odometer: 37 @ 80mph, and about 44 @ 65mph.

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  Near perfect - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jefftonio - June 29 - 4:56 pm

  I recently purchased the Honda EX 06 automatic transmission sedan. I am very pleased with the car. I shopped this car and a few others. I was suprised how bad the Cobalt ran, it was awful in my opinion, noisy cheap feel. The next one was the Mazda 3 2.0. It was nice enough but was not as good as the Honda. What is love about the Honda is how quiet the car is on the road, the doors close with a luxury car thud. It handles and accelerates very well. It is roomy inside,is well-made and well thought out. The Sat radio is excellent The Nav System too although takes time to figure out. Living in New Jersey, the one thing I would have wanted was heated mirrors. Thats about it. An excellent car