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:

• 

  Buzzing round town - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By JTV - April 3 - 7:13 am

  Most of our driving is in a suburban area of Florida. We get about 24mpg compared to the Honda van that we traded in that got 15-16 mpg. Our highway mileage is about 30 mpg. The engine makes a buzzing sound when driving around town but it disappears at higher speeds on the interstates. We wanted a 4 cyl. for economy and did not like the Toyota RAV with a spare tire mounted on the back. The Hyundai Santa Fe does not get as many mpg and we did not like the red color choice. We added backup sensors and an auto dimming rear view mirror. Dashboard is attractive with instant mpg readout and other info. However, the CRV is not as comfortable as our van was on long trips.

• 

  Happy Accord Owner - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Franko - April 3 - 7:03 am

  Use the car to commute 70 miles a day & freeway trips. Comfortable and fun to drive on trips and around town. Far better car than the Malibu it replaced. Have gotten up to 29 mpg. But usually get 26 during the commute. The car is big enough to fit three adults in the back seat.

• 

  Liked the shoe color, so I bought the matching car - 2016 Honda Civic
  By David Schaeffer - April 3 - 6:16 am

  I love the catchy bright green color which just happens to match my favorite pair of shoes. This replaces my 1999 Toyota Camry Solara, which I drove for 265,000 miles and 17 years 9 months. Although I was very happy with the Solara, any new car is going to impress after driving such an old car. I think the Civic Coup Touring is a great value. The total cost was very close to the Solara even though car prices have gone up in the last 18 years. The Civic is missing a couple of features (power driver seat and garage door control) that I liked in the Solara, but adds many new features. The sound system that comes with the touring trim level is better than the Solara SLEs excellent sound system. The integration with Google Maps navigation via Android Auto is excellent. Im so glad I dont have to use Garmin navigation in order to use the large dash display. Im lucky that my Samsung phone is a bit old, so it does not have the new Android operating system which has lots of reported issues with Android Auto. I had to migrate my music library from Apple to Google because I cannot use both my iPod Touch and my Samsung phone at the same time. Google Play Music isnt quite as good as Apples but Im happy I was forced to move my ~15,000 songs to Googles cloud servers. The cruise control feature of slowing down for the car in front of you demonstrates fairly primitive self-driving technology. It tends to slow abruptly, especially when you are approaching a vehicle turning left or right from your lane. I keep using it a lot to try to understand when its best to enable it and when its best to disable it.

• 

  Its a good car. Period. - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Honda first-timer - April 3 - 5:53 am

  I compared the I2 to a number of other compact cars in the sub-$20k range. It drives better than any other car except for the Honda Fit. The driving feel is nearly as solid as the Saab 9-3 I own, except of course for the lack of 90 extra horses and no turbo. Its also a lot quieter on the inside than the hodgepodge of cars Ive owned previously (I know several magazines said the interior is noisy -maybe compared to a Lexus?). Though its not as tall as the Fit, with less cargo volume, the I2 can fit longer items which is useful for me. The so-called blind spot doesnt bother me -its negated by the giant mirrors. Take the I2 on its merits as a car and the only competitor is the Fit.

• 

  95 Honda Civic EX - 1995 Honda Civic
  By honda - April 2 - 8:52 pm

  CV joints were the only thing (other than brakes and tires) I replaced on this car.

• 

  Its Purple! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By seeremlive - April 2 - 3:03 pm

  I traded a 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad cab 4.7L V-8 for a 2008 Honda Fit 1.5L I- 4? What was I thinking? Ill tell you what I was thinking. After 3 months of research and test drives, this is simply the best car, period. It may not be as large as a Hummer or as cushy as a Caddy, but this beats just about every other car on the market in the price you pay versus standard features and gas mileage. This results in much less engine noise. After 2000 miles. I commute 50 mi each way half interstate half stop and go. I have yet to get less than 33 MPG averaging 78 on the Interstate portion. And I can still pack in 8 2x6 8ft boards. FYI... At 70 MPH the AT runs the engine 1K RPM lower than the MT.

• 

  2004 HONDA PILOT - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By SCOTT POPE - April 2 - 8:00 am

  MY HONDA PILOT IS A GREAT VEHICLE. DURING THE HURRICANES IN FL I USED MY AWD PILOT TO PULL A TREE THAT HAD FALLEN OVER FROM THE WINDS BACK UP STRAIGHT AGAIN. THE ONLY NEGATIVE, WHICH IS A BIG ONE, IS THE FACT THAT I BOUGHT MY PILOT IN JAN 2004 AND THE GPS MAPPING DID NOT HAVE STREETS AND BUILDINGS (NEW COURTHOUSE) IN THE GPS. THESE STREETS AND THE COURTHOUSE ARE OVER THREE YEARS OLD!! HONDA SAID I COULD PURCHASE A NEW DVD FOR APPROX. $175 TO UPGRADE MY ALREADY POST DATED SYSTEM........NOT A GOOD PR MOVE IN MY OPINION.

• 

  Owned all my life - 1991 Honda Civic
  By disworld - April 1 - 11:49 pm

  My dad bought a 1990 civic si when I was not even two years old, I loved the car so much after I owned it and it was involved in an accident I spent a year finding my 1991 civic si. Its not hard to find a fast car, but its hard to find an exciting car without spending a lot of money, its reliable but its the kind of car you will be smiling every time you step out of it. It may not be the fastest car, the sense of accomplishment you get driving the car to the edge is amazing. The springs are wound perfectly for the 14in tires and the sewing maching engine buzzing with all its got is a sensation I wouldnt trade for the world.

• 

  Fit = Fun Intelligent Transportation - 2007 Honda Fit
  By JPowell - April 1 - 3:46 pm

  For superior fuel economy, reliability, comfort, aesthetics, and just plain fun, the Honda Fit fits. The first two weeks after I bought my new Fit Sport, my daughter and I took my new car on two road trips. It outperformed our expectations in every area. Expect people to ask about your car wherever you go. Its cute and sassy and attracts attention. If MP3 connection, remote keyless entry, and cruise control are important to you, choose the Sport version. The trim that comes standard on the Sport is sexy too! Ive owned Honda 70s CVCC Powder Blue 5 door wagon with manual choke, 80s Civic and Accord, 2000 S2000, (a Volvo850) and now this car. I may have to buy a second Fit for my kid!

• 

  My First New Car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Tim - April 1 - 3:30 pm

  Only getting 15 mph city driving & 20 mph overall on 1/2 highway-1/2 city driving using very conservative driving habits! Fuel economy not good for a 4 cylinder engine built by a firm advertising itself as "the most fuel efficient automaker in the world." 190 hp engine has plenty of power when you need it to accelerate onto the highway. Steering is very precise with only about 2 turns of the wheel lock-to- lock. Has great ride/handling balance- not too firm yet not too soft-so you dont sacrifice the ride to get good handling. Autotransmission upshifts/downshifts smoothly. Cloth front seats big & comfortable. Three people easily fit in back seat. Love the sunroof. Do not notice road noise.