Honda has a befitting standing in the auto world for producing high-quality, excellently-engineered vehicles, and this is true across the board.
Most Honda cars are fuel-efficient and roomy, and they’re both fun to drive and dependable. Honda’s bread and butter is the average Accord family car.
With versions like the muscular Civic Type R and thrilling and athletic Civic Si, Honda understands how to get a good time.
Its most popular model is the pragmatic CR-V small SUV. Also, Honda features several unusual vehicles, such as the Ridgeline utility truck and family-friendly haulers like the Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan.
In the following sections, we’d be reviewing the different types of Honda cars, in addition to their pros and cons, their most prominent features, and their engines.
Getting interesting? We bet. Grab a can of coke and popcorn as you read on!
Contents
The History of Honda Cars
Honda Soichiro, a mechanical engineer, created the Honda Technical Research Institute close to Hamamatsu in 1946 to develop compact, powerful internal combustion engines.
The Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 and started manufacturing bikes in 1949. Honda began with bikes, but the company soon began expanding into automobiles.
Soichiro, the company’s boss, sensed that Honda will be great and dedicated to creating a new benchmark in vehicle manufacturing excellence.
This, along with his near-Napoleonic market acquisitions, appeared to be a potent mix that enabled Honda to grow unhindered by competitors.
The name became associated with practicality and cutting-edge technology.
Honda’s motorbike sector had a significant boost in sales, propelling the firm to the top of the motorcycle manufacturing rankings.
Honda became the planet’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the 1970s.
Nevertheless, its automobile manufacturing, which began in the 1960s, was sluggish to garner the same level of interest as its two-wheeled drives.
Honda vehicles, despite competing in motorsports, failed to convince the ordinary American motorist.
The small automobiles, which were built for the Asian market, had only little in common with the big vehicles that the Americans preferred.
Honda developed the American-centric civic, a bigger version than any other before produced, to gain market share.
Despite its tiny size in comparison to American-made vehicles, the Civic was the first to lure an American driver.
The energy crisis of the 1970s, as well as later pollution regulations, created a new doorway for Honda. Successive Civic versions, like the CVCC that was a variant on the tiered engine, allowed the Japanese automaker to fulfill emissions standards without having to install catalytic converters, which, in addition to lowering pollution, increased vehicle prices.
Honda would develop one other American-friendly automobile, the Accord, in the mid-1970s, which rapidly gained popularity owing to its fuel efficiency and comfort of driving.
By 1982, Honda had accomplished what no other Japanese automaker had done before: it had opened a factory on U.S. territory.
Maysville, Ohio was the site of the company’s initial car factory. Afterward, three other facilities were built, including one in Alabama, Lincoln, and another in Timmonsville.
The most recent Honda plant, in Tallapoosa, was built in 2006.
List of Honda Cars
- Honda Accord
- Honda Civic
- Honda Insight
- Honda Odyssey
- Honda CR-V
- Honda HR-V
- Honda Ridgeline
- Honda Pilot
- Honda Passport
- Honda Clarity
01. Honda Accord
Upgrade Years: 1976-1981, 1981-1985, 1985-1989, 1989-1993, 1993-1997, 1998-2002, 2002-2008, 2008-2012, 2013-2017, and 2017-Present.
Highlighted Features
- Power Windows
- Power Steering
- Air Conditioner
- Anti-Lock Braking System
- Passenger Airbag
- Driver Airbag
- Automatic Climate Control
- Alloy Wheels
- Fog Lights – Front
Also called the Honda Inspire, the Honda Accord is a series of autos that Honda manufactures since 1976.
This series of Honda vehicles are best known for their 4-door sedan varieties, and these have been some of the top-selling autos in the U.S. since 1989.
The Honda Accord plate has been used for different car variants around the globe, and these include hatchbacks, station wagons, coupes, and of course a Crosstour crossover.
Ever since its auto manufacture, Honda as a manufacturing company has provided different car versions and car body types of the Accord variant, and frequently cars marketed under the Honda Accord nameplate in several places around the globe.
It was introduced in 1976 to the auto world as a compacted hatchback. Although this design only remained through till 1989 because the lineup was extended to feature wagon, coupe, and sedan.
Engine
A four-cylinder engine, 125hp engine was offered in the LX and DX models, while the 1991 and 1990models models got a 130-horsepower engine.
Cruise panels were abandoned for the DX sedan model, but the air conditioning system remained a dealer-mounted option.
The LX version retained the identical features of the earlier version, such as mirrors, door locks, and an air conditioning system.
In the 90-91 EX version, there’s an added five-horsepower capability because of a unique exhaust manifold build, twin vent muffler piping, and a somewhat bigger exhaust.
Fifteen-inch automated aluminum-mixture wheels, rear stabilizer ball, high-power four-speaker stereo cassette, sunroof, and advanced upholstery were included on all EX-versions.
All trims came equipped with a revised manual transmission featuring a hydraulic brake, while all vehicles could pick an all-new automatically controlled four-speed transmission.
Price: $24,970–$36,900
Pros
- Excellent engines
- Lots of technology
- Interior Design in a High-End Style
- Reliability
Cons
- Camry Drives a little better
- Its price has increased
- It is not spectacular
02. Honda Civic
Upgrade Years: 1980 to 1983, 1980 to 1983, 1984 to 1987, 1988 to 1991, 1992 to 1995, 1996 to 2000, 2001 to 2005, 2006 to 2011, 2016-Present, 2023 (upcoming)
Highlighted Features
- Hill Assist
- Airbags
- Parking Assistance
- Engine Immobilizer
- Child Safety Locks
- Rear sensors with camera
- Door Ajar Warning
- Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror
- Central Locking
- Power Windows
- Interior
The Honda Civic is a very reliable family car for families who like being seen since its assertive design will undoubtedly attract attention (though not often in a great way).
Picture your grandfather showing up in a Lady GaGa polo, and you will get an idea of the responses the Civic may generate.
The real kicker is that the unique aesthetics are matched with a dynamic driving experience, albeit it comes at a higher price than rivals like the Skoda Octavia, Ford Focus, and Vauxhall Astra.
It feels more upscale than a Focus, but not as luxurious as an Octavia, thanks to an abundance of fuzzy, spongy plastics on the inside.
A gleaming seven-inch display entertainment system is included on all models save the basic SE and S.
Engine
With the 10th-generation Civic, Honda has attempted to provide more mature driving dynamics, which implies that refinement has been enhanced, and the deeper and broader stance provides confident control.
More crucially, the corporation has abandoned its tried-and-true normally aspirated internal combustion engines in place of smaller turbocharged engines.
The Mk10 Civic is built on Honda’s newest global compact vehicle design, which implies it’s about fifteen kilograms lighter and has a chassis that’s over fifty percent stronger than the previous model.
It has completely front struts and stand-alone rear suspension, making it the most advanced alternative in the category in terms of capability.
On EX versions, adjustable dampers are included, allowing the vehicle to be adjusted for convenience or more precise handling as needed.
Price: $21,700–$28,300
Pros
- For a car of its size, the boot is rather large.
- Comes with petrol engines that run smoothly
- It’s both comfy and enjoyable to drive
Cons
- There is only a single diesel engine in this auto series.
- Aesthetics aren’t for everyone.
03. Honda Odyssey
Upgrade Years: 1995 – 1998, 1999 – 2004, 2005 – 2010, 2011 – 2017, 2018 – 2023
The Honda Odyssey is a vehicle produced by the Japanese carmaker Honda as far back as 1994. It has been sold all over the globe and is now in its 5th-generation on Japanese soil.
The Odyssey was developed and built in Japan in the aftermath of the country’s 1990s financial downturn, which put significant limitations on the car’s size and main idea, requiring the vehicle to be built in an existing structure with little adjustments.
As a consequence, a tinier minivan in the petite MPV type was created, which was highly accepted in Japan but not so much in the North American continent.
The Honda Shuttle was the name given to the forerunner of the Honda Odyssey in Europe.
Honda constructed a facility in Lincoln, Alabama, with the potential to build bigger models, as later generations varied to suit market changes.
Highlight Features
- V-6 engine with 248 horsepower is standard.
- Up to eight persons can be seated in three rows.
- In higher-end variants, piston inactivation is used.
- Six-speed automatic transmission is standard.
- Voice-recognition guidance is supported.
- Automatic transmission with five speeds
- V-6 engine with 240 horsepower
- Airbags in the side curtains are standard.
- Crash-test ratings of five stars
- Automatic transmission with five speeds
- Side-impact airbags are standard.
- A third-row seat that folds away
Engine
The 3.5L V6 engine produces 280 horsepower and is mated to a smooth 10-speed gearbox.
The powertrain is quiet, efficient, and powerful. There is no all-wheel-drive capability, unlike the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica.
The all-new 5th-generation Odyssey comes with a much more efficient engine, two additional gearboxes, a second-row seat that slides laterally, and a slew of additional interior features designed to keep the whole family pleased.
The 3.5L V6 produces 280 horsepower and is paired with a 9-speed gearbox in lower versions and a ten-speed gearbox in higher trims.
Price: $32,290–$48,020
Pros
- Great for road trips
- Great visibility on the road with room
- Greater convenience
- Roomy cabin
- Robust engine
- Responsive infotainment system
Cons
- Power steering whine
- Poor brake performance
04. Honda CR-V
Upgrade Years: 1997-2001, 2002-2006, 2007-2011, 2012-2016, and 2017-2020
The Honda CR-V is a compacted SUV that’s been produced by Honda as far back as 1995 and was first sold in the United States in 1997.
It is built on the Civic chassis and has an SUV bodywork. The Honda CR-V is a mid-size utility car that sits between the Honda Pilot and the Honda HR-V for the American market.
Honda claims that “CR-V” means “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle,” while a British automobile review post reposted by Honda uses the name “Compact Recreational Vehicle.”
Highlighted Features
- Miniature SUV with five seats
- All versions come with all-wheel drive.
- Drivetrain options
- Automated gearbox with constantly evolving variables
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported.
- Emergency braking is included
- SE is a new trim level.
- Engine with four cylinders
- Automatic or manual
- Car-like characteristics
- Side-curtain airbags and side-impact airbags are available.
- FWD or AWD
Engine
It comes with a 2.4L i-VTEC inline-4 engine that produces 185 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft of torque at 4,400 revolutions per minute, as well as an all-new Real-Time AWD system with intelligent management.
A five-speed automatic gearbox is a standard across all Honda CR-Vs sold in the North American continent.
The CR-V does not come with a V6 engine in the latest versions, and there hasn’t been a version that includes a V6 engine or even as an optional feature.
The new model is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower.
Price: $1,8750 – $33,496
Pros
- Interior packing is amazing.
- Honda Sensing is fantastic.
- NVH and riding comfort have both been enhanced.
- Petrol Engine That Is Smooth
- Handling that is similar to that of a car
- Interiors of the highest quality
Cons
- Interior materials appear to be less expensive than competitors’
- Great handling and cruising stability
- The façade isn’t the most appealing
05. Honda HR-V- Honda Car Models List
Upgrade Year: 2016 – 2023
The Honda HR-V is a third-generation midsize crossover SUV produced and sold by Honda.
The Honda Logo inspired the 1st-generation HR-V. It was sold in Japan, Europe, and a few Asian markets between 1999 and 2006, and had five doors (between 1999 and 2006) and triple doors (between 1999 and 2003).
Technically, the two versions were referred to as GH4 and GH2, respectively.
Honda revived the designation for the 2nd-generation Honda HR-V, contingent on the 3rd-generation Honda Fit, after a sabbatical from 2006 to 2013.
The HR-V was first produced in the fall of 2013 for the Japanese home market, and then in 2015 for the North American continent, Brazil, Australia, and a few Asian countries.
In China and Japan, it’s marketed as the Vezel. The “HR-V” means “Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle,” as per Honda.
Highlighted Features
- Brake Assist
- Electronic Stability Control
- Daytime Running Lights
- Four-wheel ABS
- Four-wheel Disc Brakes
- Automatic Transmission w/Manual Mode
- Continuously Variable Trans
Engine
The HR-single V’s engine option is a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder that produces 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque.
For regular FWD or optional AWD, the grunt is channeled through a CVT automatic transmission.
Front-wheel drive vehicles get 34/28 Highway/mpg city, while four-wheel-drive vehicles get 27/31 mpg.
The acceleration isn’t as spectacular; our fastest 0-60 time was 9.5 seconds.
Price: $21,420–$27,720
Pros
- It looks awesome.
- Fuel-efficient
- Interior packing is fantastic.
- Driving characteristics that are similar to those of a car
- Comes with a refined internal combustion engine
Cons
- Weak infotainment system
- Shaky ride
- There are no rear aircon vents, so the air conditioner has to work extra hard to keep the interior cool.
06. Honda Ridgeline
Upgrade Years: 2005 – 2009, 2009 – 2014, 2016 – 2020, and 2023 – Present
Honda produces the Ridgeline, a mini pickup truck. The Ridgeline is Honda’s sole pickup truck commercially available in the market; the Honda Acty mini pickup truck was another.
The Honda Ridgeline is only available in a short-box crew-cab form with one engine and is based on a solid chassis with a transverse-installed engine.
At the end of the first quarter of 2005, the first-gen Ridgeline was released as a 2006 model car.
The Honda Ridgeline was “its’s first excursion into the actual core of the American automobile culture—the pickup truck,” as per the writer of The Car Design Yearbook.
A thirty-seven-member Honda Research & Development American engineering team headed by Gary Flint conceived and built it.
As per the writer of Driving Honda, Honda intended to appeal to consumers trying to upgrade from sport utility vehicles, minivans, and sedans to pickup trucks.
Highlighted Features
- Road departure mitigation system
- Collision mitigation braking system™
- Lane-keeping assist system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Truck-bed audio system
- Honda sensing
- Awd with a terrain management system
- In-bed trunk
Engine
The Honda Ridgeline offers lots of carrying and hauling qualities, whether you’re towing your boats to Minnesota, Duluth for Saturday night, or transporting your motorcycles to Buffalo over the weekend.
The Ridgeline is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a nine-speed transmission with paddle shifters and shift-by-wire, providing 280hp and a five thousand pounds hauling capability.
Another wonderful feature of the Honda Ridgeline is that it is equipped with a remote start functionality by default.
This implies that you won’t have to leave your comfy bed in the cold to start your car.
Even more, the Honda Ridgeline includes Intelligent Traction Management that enables you to switch between sand, mud, and snow settings according to the topography, and the vehicle will adjust to the circumstances.
Price: $36,490–$43,920
Pros
- Driving is similar to that of a car, and the ride is pleasant
- Safety tech in abundance
- Interior design that is relaxing
- Excellent ride quality
- Ingenious storage
- Off-roading
- Spacious
Cons
- Inadequate Storage
- Incompetent Infotainment System
- There Aren’t Enough “Trucks”
- Price is rather expensive
07. Honda Pilot
Upgrade Years: 2003 – 2008, 2009 – 2015, and 2016 – 2023
The Honda Pilot is a semi-crossover sports utility vehicle that was debuted by Honda in 2002. The Pilot is Honda’s biggest SUV, with three rows of seats, and is mainly targeted at North America.
Pilots are now built-in Lincoln, Alabama, but till April 2007, the Honda Pilot was made in Alliston, Ontario.
At the end of the first quarter of 2002, the first-gen Honda Pilot was introduced as a 2003 edition.
The latest Honda Pilot model is the 2023 Honda Pilot that comes in seven trims: EX, LX, Special Edition, EX-L, Black, Elite, and Touring.
The Pilot is built on the same chassis as the Odyssey minivan and Acura MDX for North America.
The whole-body structure and autonomous suspension system of the Honda Pilot are meant to give car-like handling, and it features seamless perimeter frame rails for light off-road and hauling usage.
Highlighted Features
- Nine-speed auto transmission
- Engine: 3.5l v6 gasoline
- Fuel economy
- Front-wheel drive
- Seating for up to eight people
- Fuel tank capacity: 19.5 gallons
Engine
The V6 3.5L engine in the Honda Pilot produces 280hp. The base transmission is a 6-speed automatic, but the Elite and Touring models include a 9-speed automatic.
The powertrain of these Honda models has enough power to propel them, but it isn’t as powerful as other competitors in the class.
For newer models, the nine-speed gearbox has been upgraded to provide faster transitions than prior versions.
The Honda Pilot gets nineteen mpg in the city and twenty-seven mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. For a medium SUV, those are average fuel efficiency figures.
Price: $39,060–$50,620
Pros
- Large cargo capacity
- More contemporary design than former years
- A family-friendly, spacious cabin
- Competitive fuel economy when equated with competitors
- All-wheel drive is obtainable across the lineup
Cons
- 3rd-row seats may be quite hard to access
- The driver assistance schemes may be intrusive
- The voice control interface isn’t so easy to use
08. Honda Passport
Upgrade Years: 2018 – Present
The Honda Password is one of the SUV offerings by Honda. The Japanese manufacturer originally intended for it to be a badge-engineered edition of Isuzu Rodeo, a midrange sport utility vehicle that flooded the auto market from 1993 to 2002. It was debuted towards the end of 1993 and intended to be the 1994 edition.
And it was to mark the manufacturer’s initial entrance into the rapidly expanding American SUV market in the 1990s.
The first model and the second model Honda Passport was made by Subaru Isuzu in Indiana, U.S. Similar to what is obtainable in several other Honda editions, it recycles a nameplate for their bike division.
That’s the Honda C75 Passport. The Odyssey and the Elsinore are the two other names, the former was recycled just one year after on a minivan.
Highlighted Features
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Cruise Control
- Fog Lamps
- Vehicle Anti-Theft System
- Interior Cargo Shade
- Auto-Off Headlights
- Luggage Rack
- Keyless Start
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Rear Parking Aid
- Remote Engine Start
- Steering Wheel Controls
- Adjustable Steering Wheel
Engine
The Honda Passport comprises an engine of a V6 3.5L engine that’s rated at 262 lb.-ft torque and 280hp.
It is hybridized with a 9-speed auto transmission. As a result, it is sufficiently robust to cater to most of your driving needs, smoothly bringing this car up to speed and providing the energy bursts needed for driving on highways.
This transmission is naturally unobtrusive, even though some analysts discovered that it does not transition as seamlessly in certain drive modes, like the Mud.
The front-wheel-drive editions feature an estimated 20mpg EPA in the city and a 25mph while driving on the highway.
Including all-wheel drives plunges these numbers to twenty-four mpg while driving on the highway and nineteen mpg in the city.
Also, the fuel economy metrics are somewhat average for a mid-range SUV featuring a V6 engine.
Price: $32,790 – $44,180
Pros
- Comfy front seats
- Several intelligent storage spaces
- Roomy cabin with a ton of passenger space
- Polished highway driver
- Comes with safety gear
- Works well with moderate off-roading
Cons
- You can only enjoy a flexible cruise control when driving beyond 20 mph
- The driver’s seat may be somewhat too high for certain people
- Not significantly bigger than the Honda CR-V
- Doesn’t look so adventurous
08. Honda Insight
Upgrade Years: 1999 – 2006, 2009 – 2012, 2012 – 2014, and 2018 – Present
The Honda Insight is Honda’s hybrid electric auto. They’re produced and sold in their first-gen by Honda as a two-passenger, two-door, liftback.
In the second gen, buyers got it as a five-passenger, four-door liftback. Honda completely changed it to a 4-door sedan in its third-gen.
The Honda Insight represented Honda’s debut edition to feature an Integrated Motor Assist module and also one of the most efficient fuel-driven vehicles in the United States bearing no plug-in competence.
The EPA approximations for the first-gen Honda Insight are 70 Highway/65 Combined/61 City under the then existing EPA schemes.
Successive EPA standards decreased the approximates to 53 Combined/61 Highway/49 City.
Highlighted Features
- Eight-inch display
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite radio
- Automatic climate control
- Closeness keyless entry
- Rearview camera
- Alloy wheels
- Blind-spot tracking
Engine
The Honda Insight outperforms a ton of other Honda hybrid cars in terms of striking the balance between penny-pinching fuel economy and pry acceleration.
It is just as fast as several conventionally-powered compacted vehicles – and miles ahead of the hybrid rivals in terms of its fastness.
It is a merge of electric motors and gas engines synergizing to provide a cumulative 151 horsepower. This propels the Honda Insight from zero sixty miles per hour in 7.7 seconds.
These Honda series can solely operate in their electric motors for about one mile at lower acceleration but need abrupt acceleration and the fuel-driven engine will jerk back to life.
When you are accelerating intensely, it is not uncommon to see the fuel-driven engine becoming louder, but other than that, Honda Insight’s powertrain is refined and quiet.
In truth, The Honda Insight is a greatly enjoyable car to drive downtown with. It is comfy, quiet, and of course, refined and drives down the road confidently.
It isn’t any wonder that it is a lot similar to the Honda Civic, which also has some of these qualities. Even though this car series isn’t obviously sporty, it has solid handling and a well-controlled drive.
Price: $25,210–$29,240
Pros
- Efficient fuel economy
- Great cabin design
- Great looks
- Outstanding safety scorecard
- Powerful safety features
Cons
- Buzzy engine at times
- Base versions skip some good features
- Not especially fast
- Thin seat bottoms
10. Honda Clarity
Upgrade Year: 2007 – 2014
Reviews
Honda’s Clarity moniker is a brand name for its alternative energy cars.
The badge was first used on fuel-cell electric cars like the 2008 Honda Clarity, but then in 2017, this was increased to incorporate the electric-battery Honda Clarity and the plug-in blended electric Honda Clarity, as well as the fuel-cell next-gen Honda Clarity.
Honda Clarity production will conclude at the start of the third quarter of 2023, with fuel cell leasing in the United States extending until 2023.
The Honda FCX Clarity is a fuel-cell hydrogen-electric car built on the Honda FCX Concept from 2006.
The Honda FCX Clarity was an electric-powered sedan with zero greenhouse gas emissions, 5-minute recharging periods, and a long-range in a full-featured big sedan. It’s the initial hydrogen-powered cell car to be sold to the general public.
Highlighted Features
- Eight-inch display
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite radio
- Automatic climate control
- Closeness keyless entry
- Rearview camera
- Alloy wheels
- Blind-spot tracking
Engine
A 181-horsepower electric motor is powered by a 17.0 kilowatts hour lithium-ion battery in the Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid.
The 1.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine mostly functions as a generator for the batteries and only occasionally powers the front wheels straight.
The plug-in combo accelerates to sixty miles per hour in 7.7 seconds and generates 212hp in total.
The hydrogen fuel cell Honda Clarity is equipped with a 174-hp electric motor that is fueled by a battery pack.
The electric engine in the fuel-cell Honda Clarity powers the front wheels much like the plug-in.
In 8.1 seconds, it reaches a whopping 60 miles per hour! That’s faster than the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo, the two other hydrogen-powered cars on the market right now.
Both models of the Honda Clarity are fantastic on the road. The interior is adequately protected from road noise and wind, and the drive is smooth.
Price: Starts at $36,600
Pros
- The cabin is spacious and well-equipped.
- The extended electric range of a PHEV
- It’s a near-silent drive with minimal noise
Cons
- Clarity Fuel Cell is only available in limited quantities.
- The usage of a display infotainment system might be difficult.
- Polarizing design
The Last Say
By reading to this point, we’re pretty sure that you are already dreaming of getting a Honda car for yourself, then you’ve indeed made a great choice.
There are different vendors from where you can get different Honda cars. What you choose is absolutely dependent on what you want or need.
When you go out to make a choice, ensure you talk to a Honda expert first, to get you cleared on what you want.