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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  02 Civic, best for this gas price - 2002 Honda Civic
  By HondaGuy - July 3 - 9:13 am

  I bought this car almost 2yrs back, and driving 2000 miles a month on an average. And it meets my first criteria, be fuel economic. I was getting 33-34 mpg couple of months back, and now after the raise in gas prices I try to drive it efficiently and which gives me a 40-42 mpg. I have an ideal drive to work, in an almost empty highway. I havent put much money on it, but never missed any regular maintenance appointments.

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  better cars for the buck - 2017 Honda Accord
  By cruz michael - June 30 - 8:17 pm

  Looks like a lot of bells and whistles, but they are not that impressive.Everyone knows they have great reliability, but besides that nothing is really impressive of about this car. I will only say what I dont like about this car. Exterior- Rear trunk is flimsy. Honeycomb front grill is difficult to clean and keep clean.Sunroof is too small. Headlights on low beam do not shine far enough. Interior is worse! The leather they use seems more like vinyl, not good quality. The sound system is abysmal. The back up camera and side view camera are very pixlelated. All the fancy things the dash screen can do , can only be done while in park. There is no gauge on the tires for individual tire pressure , only a dummy light. You cant dim the dash screen lights only turn them off( too bright). The apple car play/ Android feature only works if your phone is plugged into the usb port. It will not work with blue tooth. Now I do like the memory seat feature and the cool led light that shines down on the center console. Over all this care for this price shoud be better. This is a 2017 model but no choice in options to list it, but it has very little if any changes from 2016.

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  Achy Breaky? - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Pam B - June 29 - 2:52 am

  I love the utility and styling of the HRV. The seats are the most uncomfortable that I have ever sat in. You could use these as instruments of torture to get information from terrorists. I have to bring to dealer for service after only 3 weeks as pooling water under front passengers seat. I am considering trading or selling outright as has caused me to have sciatica. I think it would be a good vehicle if you do not drive long distances.

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  Extremely Disapointed - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Holly - June 28 - 12:33 pm

  Loved our old Odyssey but it started having problems. Now we get in our brand new Odyssey and the first thing I think is "I HATE THIS VAN" every time it rains all the windows fog up so bad we cant see, takes over an hour before they defog - told its a common complaint. Gas mileage is worse than horrid. Impossible to get feet warm, unless you sit on them - heated seats work. Cant put anything under the console between the two front seats. If something even lightly touches the arm, the tray goes down, has only happened when the coffee cups are full and of course hot. Cant drive with the windows down, the noise is ear piercing. Id trade it in for a different Make if I could afford it.

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  May Be My Last Honda - 1997 Honda Accord
  By bcwalt - June 28 - 10:00 am

  My Accord was plagued with nagging problems. Among them peeling paint on front bumper; electric windows opened and closed at a snails pace and squealed loudly as they closed; drivers side electric window regulator replaced twice; cruise control couldnt maintain its set speed to save its life; auto transmission shifted roughly and slipped; serious squeaks and rattles in dash; mediocre gas mileage (25 MPG). This was my third and, likely, last Honda product! I passed up more exciting styling and better handling cars for what I thought would be flawless quality! I ended up with a soul-less, problem-plagued nuisance!

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  Honda Quality? Whatever. - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By yojg - June 26 - 8:17 am

  Paid 30K for the van. MULTIPLE problems with it and Im not exactly a Whiner. 1. Steering pump at 5000 mi. Took it in and they said there was a TSB. They said the wrong fluid was added at the factory. They changed the fluid reservoir? Cured the problem for about 10k. I got the bulletin. They miss read it. the entire pump and the reservoir was to be replaced. Like every thing else with this car, the steering problem is "intermittent" they couldnt recreate the issue bla bla bla. 2. Front wheel bearings. 20k Car was in the shop 2 weeks with them trying to figure this out. Another tsb bla bla bla 3. Front brake grinding and warped rotors. 4. retaining clips in front lower bumper are falling out

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  Like the newer style , but liked interior of 07 - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By MarieB. - June 23 - 5:40 am

  I have been driving a 2012 (bought used) for almost a year. I traded in my 07 Odyssey for the 2012. I like the updated style of the exterior, but I miss some of the features of the 07. It drives/handles just fine, no complaints. There is quite a bit of road noise, for the $$$ a quieter interior would be expected. I like the way the 3rd row seats fold so easily. The center console is a poor design, once you put stuff on top, its a hassle to get to anything that may have been put inside. Drawers would be a good idea. We miss the cup holders on the sides of the 2nd row seats. There is a center fold down with cup holders, but that isnt always down if there is an extra passenger or if the kids want to spread out. It is comfy, both the 07 and the 12 are super comfy and roomy. Weve taken road trips with 4 adults and 2 kids with plenty of room for everyone and their stuff. I wish the power lift hatch was available on the lower models, I paid more because that is one feature I really wanted; but the other features arent used often. All in all, were pleased, but it is expensive.

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  A car thats hard to love, but hard to hate - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By BRIAN EDWARD - June 21 - 6:31 am

  There is now WOW factor even for 2018 offering - especially for any model previous Honda owners. Interior parts like overhead light switcher are the SAME identical breakage prone switches found in a 2004 Accord. REALLY. For a few dollars Honda should freshen/modernize interior gadgets. Engine and Transmission preform phenomially.

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  Very reliable but a bit uncomfortable - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By shawn - June 17 - 8:32 pm

  Great car this one. With oil changes it goes and goes with only minor repairs. I will definitely buy a Honda again just not a CRV. Our kids are getting older and the back seat is the most uncomfortable rear seat I have ever sat in. The kids hate it! Very poor rear seat design. Other than that a good little car. Perfect for two people.

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  I Still love it but and doubting it - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Wanda - June 15 - 11:53 pm

  This is my first minivan and I love it. It is also my first new car. I did a lot of research before I decided on this car wanted 8 passenger and roll down windows. I have been across the country and back yet in the last year i have also had 2 power steering pumps replaced, an O2 sensor and now its in for an odd noise around 40 mph. They have no idea what it is. I still love the inside features. Could use more outlets and compartments. But I think it still beats the Toyota out on interior feature.