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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  love it !!! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By drogers44 - June 28 - 9:23 am

  I have only had one problem in two years. My window wasnt going up and down properly. Left a mark on my window.

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  1st Honda, and so far so good - 2007 Honda Accord
  By nycarguy - June 28 - 6:30 am

  Nice smooth ride, drive 1500 miles monthly on hwy. Mileage on the V6 ranges 18-20 city, 25-28 hwy depending upon conditions and my foot. Car really handles nicely, feels almost sporty at times. V6 is powerful. Good build quality, great balanced feel, quiet and comfy for my 6 frame.

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  Great MPG, cool looking car - 2010 Honda Insight
  By hondainsightguy - June 28 - 5:50 am

  I have owned several Hondas in the past, I think this is one of the nicest ones yet. The look of the car is great, it reminds me of the Honda CRXs back in the 80s. I only wish it had a moonroof like my previous Civic. The Econ mode really helps with the fuel economy and I am averaging right at 44 mpg with the first 3000 miles I have put on it. When driving this car it seems to make my a lot less stressed then driving other cars, I guess it just gives you a good feeling knowing you are driving a green vehicle. Honda is right it is the first hybrid for everyone.

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  Likeable, Except for A/C Compressors - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Galvdude - June 27 - 11:54 pm

  Bought certified used @ just over 50k miles counting on legendary Honda reliability. Pleased with majority of vehicle, including tire and brake wear, so on with the bad. As of yesterday, 2nd A/C compressor failure. First at around 55k under certified warranty, second 104,500, no warranty, but Honda is covering parts only. Blower control switch has dead spots, not covered when found under certified period, not worth $ for control panel yet. Intermittent auto up and down driver side window. Paint chipping off hood rapidly. Overall potentially the most expensive to maintain and repair out of 35 vehicles (4 have/had 120 - 210k miles w/out A/C problems) Ive owned save for the cert. warranty.

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  Great engine terrible seats - 2006 Honda Accord
  By aggiex - June 27 - 10:29 pm

  I traded in an F150 for my Accord for gas mileage. So far I am completely satisfied with the performance and mileage of the 4cyl. My biggest complaint is the front seats are rock hard and the lumbar is too high and not adjustable. I spend a lot of time driving and have constant back pain from the seats. Despite the impressive engine, I wish I could get rid of the car already because of the seats. My other complaint is the brakes are extremely touchy and lock up very easily when wet (from rain, etc.).

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  Best of both for me - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Terri - June 27 - 9:33 pm

  This truck is GREAT, not a HEAVY duty truck, but very comfortable for everyday and for trips too, with the cabability to run to Home depot or Lowes, take the grandkids camping / fishing and seats 5 adults very comfy, I love the height of the seats so you are not climbing in and out of the truck you just swing your legs around and you are standing. the bed trunk is GREAT for storage and is large. Nav works very well along with the sound system, rides smooth and pretty quite, the adjustable console is really nice esp in town driving. I am very pleased with my purchase

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  Excellent Auto - 2000 Honda Civic
  By Don - June 27 - 9:19 pm

  Have owned this Car since March 2000. In my 8 years of ownership I have replaced the oxygen Sensor at 32,000 miles a battery at 33,000 miles and thats it. It runs beautiful and averages 35 City & 39 Highway MPGs. I had changed the Spark Plugs at 20,000 miles to Iridium Plugs, they improved mileage. I keep the car garaged and the finish is perfect and car runs perfect now at 35,500 original miles. I had taken several trips from Florida to Ohio and had registered as high as 41 MPG on several trips. If you need a reliable car and can find one of these with low miles, grab it. They run great and handle perfect on the road.

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  Believe it! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Big Lew - June 27 - 6:42 pm

  Hi all! We never even drove the fit before buying it! It reminded us of our first new 1977 Honda CVCC and that car was one of the best we ever owned. I picked the car up in the Pittsburgh area and drove it back to Lancaster, PA (252 miles). All of the driving was at speeds of 55-70 mph. MPG was 39 and this car had no miles when purchased. I cant believe how quiet this car is. I really was expecting much more road noise. The Fit took all the hills of Western PA without a hitch. Not once did I have to floor it to make it up any hills or to maintain the speed limit. The interior is just flat out perfect. The materials reminded us of our Accord Ex. The handling was perfect. My wife is in love

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  It is an Accord! - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Paul - June 27 - 5:24 pm

  Newly purchased Touring model. Performance and Handling is what I would expect from a Honda. Nicely hugs the curves and smoothly over bumps. I was a little worried about the reviews I read about the multiple consoles, many say it is clunky, I found it nice. I set the upper console to display the date/time and any alerts and left the bottom console for the multimedia use. Yes, you can do that, along with setting the background of that screen. The quality of sound is nice but dont expect a powerful sub-woofer. Navigation was nice, almost good enough not to need to use Android Auto but I had to try it. Android auto kept saying my phone was disconnected. Not sure if it was the cable or the app crashing, but when connected, it picked up my google maps and was using it for the navigation. The touring model feels like the old Cameros, nice space in the front seats, back seats are good for kids, adults may hit their head if they are tall. This car is loaded! The only things I can think of right now that I would ask Honda to change is: 1. Warranty, Come on Honda, you know you are better than the default warranty. Get with the times and update it to something like 5/50000 or something a little better than 3/36000. 2. Dual power seats, currently only the drivers seat is power. 3. Power tilt for steering wheel.

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  Hesitation when accelerating - 2005 Honda Accord
  By DianeO - June 27 - 3:29 pm

  This car is just okay. My Toyota Sienna had better & more features, but I no longer needed a van. The worst thing about this V6 Accord is the acceleration. When I press on the gas, I expect a car to go. But just when I need to accelerate to get into a tight spot on the freeway and I "punch it", it hesitates. That hesitation has caused many near misses.