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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  First Honda - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By gregpro50 - July 10 - 7:00 am

  This is the first Honda I have owned. I have a wife, soon will have 3 kids, a dog, and a boat that we need to pull. Looked at everything that seated more than 5 people, had decent fuel economy, and could pull a reasonable sized boat. Honda was last on my list to look at but when we did we ended up buying it. So far we really like it. We get about 17 mpg city and as much as 21 mpg on the highway. Lots of room in the inside, good storage, comfortable. We are impressed. The closest competitor would be a Toyota Highlander and it doesnt hold a candle to the Pilot.

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  GREAT CAR - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Ganesh Kumar - July 10 - 1:09 am

  This is awesome car and the best and above Par with technologies...safety and comfort the best car...

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  Odyssey Rocks! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Farid Hossain - July 9 - 11:43 pm

  My 2005 Odyssey has been a true travel companion. I just got back after a 2300 mile round trip and it worked great. Drove through the Lombard St (Crooked street) in San Francisco, along the S Lake Tahoe and in the desert heat of 110 degrees for hours. Next trip up is Banff, Canada. I love this van and I am keeping it till it quits on me.

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  Love my Minivan - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Christe - July 9 - 6:22 pm

  I love my van. I tried the Toyota and was not impressed. Although you can get more for your money. The quality was not superb as mine. Id rather get basic model and get the right choice! However Hondas basic does come with a lot. Toyota offers some of my basics as options. The gas mileage is great as well. I am getting 19/20 mpg. We all need that with the gas prices. Id rather drive a van than any suv too.

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  Fun, Practical, Great Value - 2008 Honda Fit
  By swift - July 9 - 4:29 pm

  We bought our Fit last September. Had to order because they were in short supply. It is a manual transmission, the only way to go in my opinion as it is very peppy and fun to drive. Have been getting up to 44 mpg in ideal conditions, but usually in the mid to upper 30s with a mix. Strictly town it has been under 30mpg at times. So, mpg varies widely depending on how you drive and what kind of traffic. The manual transmission is so fun to drive that mpg can suffer from that. (The best mpg is conservative driving.) It has an amazing amount of cargo space and that is what really sold us on this car. We keep the back seats folded down almost all of the time. We love this car!

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  Where has all my oil gone? - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Shelly124 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new summer 1998 because I drive a lot of miles. When it turned about 2 years old, I stated RUNNING OUT OF OIL! Its not leaking, its not coming out the exhaust. I have taken it everywhere and nobody knows where the oil is going. Also, the 1998 and 1999 have EGR problems, and Honda wouldnt cover mine (or my Dads 99) under the recall. They told me it needed replacing for 400.00, turns out an independent garage cleaned it for 65 and its fine. The other problem, lights keep going out on my dash. At night, I cant see the clock, mileage and half of my speedometer!

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  Neat Little SUV - 2003 Honda Element
  By EllementDave - July 9 - 2:00 am

  This is a neat little SUV that gets 26 to the gallon and its 2.4 four has enough power to make it fun to drive. Slightly more small truck than car. Nice and roomy. The look takes a bit getting used to. Some say it looks like a Hummer on a diet. One guy asked me if the windows were bullet prove because it looks like a small Brinks Truck. It also reminds you of a Jeep. It is quite roomy yet quite small and if fact it is shorter than a Civic. The Ex has a great sterio with SubWoofer between the seats.

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  New Element EX automatic 4wd - 2003 Honda Element
  By sam25 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I had tried out the Nissan Extera and toyota Highlander prior to buying the Element. I am very pleased with the vehicle. Handles and steers very well. Easy and fun to drive. Love the practical and elegant simplicity of the interior. Very comfortable driver seat.

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  Love It? Love It! - 2003 Honda Element
  By Mike in KC - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Its either you really love it or you really hate it. Its design is a bit compared to other small SUVs in its class, but overall the Element stands up to competition very well. The price of the Element came as a shock, I was expecting another $30,000.00 SUV, but this one barely reaches over $21,000, not bad! The prototype Honda orginally designed was named Type X. It had round headlamps, and side marker blinkers. After some tweaking of ideas, we have the current Element. Smart, Practical, and made for everyone.

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  My First Non-Toyota - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Nicky Ritter - July 9 - 2:00 am

  This is my first non-Toyota and I love it. My last vehicle was a 97 RAV-4, and while I loved it, I wasnt impressed with the 2002 model. The Honda is bigger, faster and more comfortable, which is why I switched to Honda. I also found the price to be better for the options I wanted.