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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  Diamond in the Rough - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Sammy B - July 6 - 9:16 pm

  I got this car brand new. Nothing bad except for my older brother tearing up the clutch after only 40,000 miles, but thats his fault not the car. This is car has so much potential no one knows about or understands. A lot of people think the civic is another foreign car thats saves gas. Did you know most of the parts on the civic are made in the US than there are on a cavalier? I dont think an American counterpart can compare to this vehicle. It may not be twin turbo-ed, or have a supercharger, but the VTEC can get the car to keep up with many others out there.

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  2008 Honda Fit - 2008 Honda Fit
  By CCurtis - July 6 - 9:08 pm

  This car has exceeded my expectations. It is fun to drive and great on gas mileage. (36 MPG on mainly rural and city driving.) It can fit four people comfortably and has lots of room for storage. It corners and hugs the road like a champ and I just took it on the freeway and it did great. It was actually hard to not go over the 70 MPH speed limit. The noise level was normal for this size of car and not much different then the Accord that I just had.

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  Fitting the fit - 2008 Honda Fit
  By William Turk - July 6 - 3:03 pm

  The Honda fit brings something new to the world of compacts standards. Everything that was called an option before is now standard. Loads of airbags, ABS power windows, the works. Its all standard. Sure somethings could have been better, but for the most part, having standards doesnt make me ask the dealer to fetch a model that has all the features I want. Only drawback is that I dont see myself using this car for a cross country road trip although the loads of space and adjustable seats does suggest that it would be a good idea. Great for a daily commuter.

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  Best minivan ever! - 1998 Honda Odyssey
  By Best Minivan EVER - July 6 - 10:59 am

  I bought this van only 3 years ago, and on average Ive driven it 60,000 km/year which is a lot. Right now it has 320,000 km and Ive never received a single $5 dollar bulb replacement. I do oil change every 10,000 km (which is late) and it still drives like its brand new. I love the 4 cylinder engine while I save on gas- they should make more of these even though they werent famous at its time because gas was cheap back then. The 4 cylinder v tech is amazingly powerful

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  My Last CR-V - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By dave14139 - July 6 - 7:04 am

  This is our second and last CR-V. Has served us well but we are just tired of this small vehicle (we are not large people). Just put second set of rear rotor and pads on the rear at 50,000 miles. Fronts on second set of pads. Need to replace the rear caliper, $375 at dealer for parts only. $74 at autozone. CR-V is alright for around-town driving but too small for a road trip. OEM tires terrible - now on Michelins and much better ride. 26-27 mpg on highway trip at 70-75 mph. AWD works great as we live in Buffalo snow belt. Considering used grand caravan or Odyssey.

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  EX-L V6 with Nav & Honda Sensing - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Steve Whitney - July 6 - 2:44 am

  I wanted a V6, and the local Honda dealer was pushing out the last of the 2017 V6s. So the price was right. I mostly like the car a lot. Great acceleration, and outstanding gas mileage from the V6. Im getting up to 35mpg on highway at 70mph. Engine and tranny are smooth and responsive. I am having a hard time finding a comfortable seat/steering wheel position that doesnt completely obscure my view of the gauges. Some have said that the dual display infotainment systems of the EX and Touring models is overly cumbersome and complicated, but I have not found it to be so. I do like the Garmin based navigation, although I have found no way to make it stay on a particular scale, or automatically go to "night mode" - you have to push the buttons. The Garmin navigation and standard features of the infotainment system, make Apple Car Play and Honda Link redundant. I dont like the design of the console, arm rest, cup holder combination, which is partly due to the hand lever parking break taking up much of the real estate of the console. Storage space and cubby volume within the cabin is about half of what my Camry was. The trunk is adequate, but a bit smaller than the Camry. The "premium" sound system, with sub-woofer, is OK, but not great, compared to other premium systems Ive heard. All of that said, these minor "sins" are more than trumped by the price I got.

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  Not your fathers family sedan. - 2006 Honda Accord
  By C Metcalf - July 6 - 1:40 am

  Ive only owned the car for a couple of months. Power is plentiful and the V6 makes a wonderful sound above 3500 rpm. The car is eerily quiet at lower rpms, and it has taken me a while to get used to the lack of noise from the engine. The engine and transmission just ooze with smoothness. The suspension is wonderful. You feel every bump exactly once, no more. Certainly not sports-car tight, but neither is it all floaty like my parents cars. A fantastic compromise between ride and handling. Combined with the six-speed manual, this is a drivers car in the guise of a "boring family sedan". It seats four comfortably and can outaccelerate both the 1986 IROC-Z Camaro and Mustang GT.

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  Fit manual - 2007 Honda Fit
  By spring04 - July 5 - 7:20 pm

  I bought the simple Fit and am very pleased with it. Wanted manual, AC, straight back so that the back passengers didnt fry under a slanted back window. The Fit has it all. Yes, fun to drive. Now to see how it handles in a N OH snow belt....

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  Horrible On Gas! - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By John - July 5 - 2:55 pm

  I read all these great reviews about the Honda pilot having good gas mileage for its size, well guess what? NOT TRUE! Horrible! 10 - 12 miles in the winter city driving, and 13-14 in the summer city driving. On the highway I would get about 18 mpg. Where did they get 18 city and 24 hwy? I had it for not even 2 years and got rid of it. Im not here to only insult the gas mileage. it was reliable and I had no problems with it. The Japanese still have a lot of work when it comes to the mid-size suv segment. More torque than horsepower! Is it that hard for Honda to do that? Apparently yes. I guess they should stick to small lightweight cars. Up next for me? Definitely not the 09 Pilot

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  95 civic - 1995 Honda Civic
  By redsox88 - July 5 - 1:19 pm

  I have had this car for almost 3 years and it now has 160K miles on it. The manual transmission shifts very nicely and its very easy to drive. Gas prices keep getting higher but I can still put gas in and not break 30 dollars. The only repairs I have had to get with it have been regular maintenance. It has been a great car.