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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  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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  Happy with EX-L - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By JB - June 28 - 11:49 pm

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  2005 Honda Pilot EX-L-RES - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By charles - June 28 - 9:23 pm

  First of two new Pilots we own. Bought a 2007 just because of how great this vehicle performs. We are a tall family and like the expansive window area. This one was hit(at 33000mi) in the rear by a 06 Infinity G35x. Totaled the Infinity but only damaged the rear bumper, tailgate, exhaust, driver, passenger seat and cross member. Honda repaired and drives straight as an arrow. Still very reliable at 49,000 mi. Need tires by winter(dealer say most pilots tires do not last this long-We drive city/hwy and mountain roads) Get 20 mpg with air conditioning on or off.

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  Keeps going, and going, and going... - 1990 Honda Civic
  By Honda Happy - June 28 - 8:19 pm

  Bought a 1990 Civic to save gas. this car has 170,000 miles on it and still runs great! Im very pleased with the durability. It has survived many years of northern Minnesota weather but continues to run like a new car.

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  I like it - 2006 Honda Accord
  By eric - June 28 - 3:13 pm

  My wife always wanted a Honda and we deceided to buy a luxury car when our Taurus broke down. The v-6 engine is very strong and the car handles great. I love the sunroof and the cd player. 48 dollars fills up the tank and that will last one week. I feel good about our purchase. Honda did a great job.

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  Drivers Seat is Torture! - 2014 Honda Accord
  By A.H. - June 28 - 12:38 pm

  Just search "Honda Accord Uncomfortable Seats" on the internet and youd be amazed at all the sites and forums that pop up, from the 2008 to the 2015 Accord.To be fair here are the Pros: Looks sharp, runs smooth, has great gas mileage, and Im sure is super dependable, although I dont plan on owning this car for much longer. Ive only had it for 3 months and Im already looking to trade it in for a Toyota Camry, because.....Cons: Why did Honda think a crappy, easily stained beige interior, and covering the doors with that same crappy cloth interior was a good idea? The placement of the climate control buttons and infotainment isnt laid out intuitively. Make sure you have all your climate settings and radio/cd/ bluetooth all while in park because adjusting the right temperature and/ or defrost can cause a big distraction while driving. The trunk is relatively small for a family of four and the rear seat folds down in one piece, rather than split. Now here are the biggest Cons: The drivers seat: It is so poorly designed, the back and bottom sink in, causing my back to form a "C" shape, and the head restraints force my head too far forward. No, I did not pick up on this discomfort after the 30 minute test drive, or even the few weeks of ownership. But after several weeks up until now, the pain has become unbearable. I cant drive more than 20 minutes before the pain sets in. Ive tried almost everything, from ergonomic back and butt cushions, and have even spent over $500 reupholstering the drivers seat and adding foam to the seat and back at a shop, and all that has done was shift the pain from one part of my butt, back, thighs, to other parts. I never knew what "Piriformis Syndrome" was until I owned this car. Look it up. Ive owned close to 10 cars in my 28 years of driving, and this Accord is the only car to ever give me back problems. Here is the biggest Con: Honda Corporation and Honda of Morgan Hill in California. After I stated my problems with the seat, all Honda Corporation could tell me was "Im sorry your feeling this discomfort, but unfortunately, Honda wont do anything about it", and Honda of Morgan Hill, "Why dont you trade the car back to us for something more comfortable?" Seriously, why dont I just crap 2 to 3 thousand dollars out of my butt and hand it to them? Thats the loss Im going to take on a trade in, so I might as well give it to Toyota, or even Hyundai. So all in all, screw you Honda. Its unfortunate that an otherwise great car is ruined by a badly designed drivers seat, a seat that has been a problem since 2008. Its obvious you do not listen to your customers. Once I unload this car, Im never getting another Honda again.

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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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  mixed bag - 2016 Honda Civic
  By ltcajh - June 28 - 12:32 pm

  I ordered the Honda with Sensing- all the safety features. Ive never owned a Honda car. I like the safety package, but cruise makes you stay back too far. Road noise is worse than my truck. Mileage isnt even close to Honda claims. I have turbo, and the claim is 42 mpg; I get 36.5 at 78 mph.

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  Honda Fit base 5 speed manual - 2008 Honda Fit
  By bob - June 28 - 10:44 am

  Great little car, when I first saw it I thought it was ugly. It grows on you, I really enjoy driving it, holds the road nicely and has averaged 37 to 40 mpg.

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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!