Honda usually makes awesome cars. You only have to look at international sales figures to concur. Founded by Soichiro Honda, a blacksmith’s son, Honda has come to stand for engineering excellence with the likes of the Accord, Civic, NSX, Integra, and many, many more.
Most Honda vehicles come with top-notch reliability ratings and their sales and often resales speak for themselves. For example, in 1975, Honda came up with the CVCC engine, the Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion power mill that made the Civic rise up to the new standards of US emission, minus the use of the power-strangling catalytic convertors.
Today, engines are all about hybrids, hydrogen fuel-stacks, and going where no technology has ever gone before. In doing so, Honda cars are a prime example of excellence, and most of the cars that Honda makes are proof of that.
10 The 1976 Honda Accord Excelled
On the heels of the success of the 1973 Civic, Honda launched a bigger car, the 1976 Honda Accord with a very practical design and enough driving thrills. Was it a little underpowered? Yes. But that’s precisely what added to its fuel economy and made it sell like hotcakes.
The competition was the likes of the Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen, like bloated barges on the road. The Accord may have been far from perfect back then but it provided cash and fuel-strapped America a pleasing drive at the time.
9 The Honda NSX Is An All-Time Rockstar
The Honda NSX is like royalty, although it went on sale in the US as an Acura NSX, Acura being Honda’s luxury marque for the international markets. It was like a supercar, drove like a sports car, and came almost as affordable as a sedan.
It was literally a godsend for those who could not afford a Ferrari but needed speed. The 3.0-liter V6 in 1990 jetted 280 horses and took the NSX to instant fame. Today’s NSX is a hybrid and jets over 600 horses for an immensely thrilling ride.
8 The 2004-2008 Honda S2000 Was Quirky Fun
The S2000 debuted in 2001 with some issues but was later perfected in 2004 with a larger engine and shorter gear ratios. In the earlier model, buyers complained that the roadster tended to oversteer and so in 2004, the suspension was beefed up and now the car came with bigger wheels.
From 2004 to 2008, the S2000 became a car that demanded to be driven hard to and gleefully screamed on high revs and corners. How good was it? Well, it made the Porsche Boxster seem overpriced.
7 The 1995-2001 Honda Integra Type R Was Perfection
We know it as the Acura Integra Type-R but call it by any other name, and nothing matches its clean lines, powerful engine, and a ride that could only be described as achingly thrilling. This was a car that could scare the socks off your feet.
It was just slightly over 1,000 kg and bore a 1.8-liter VTEC engine that gave out 197 horses, doing 0-60 mph in less than 6.2 seconds. The double-wishbone suspension, thicker roll bars, and low ride height made it handle like a dream.
6 The 1983-1987 Honda Prelude Was A Proclamation
The Honda Prelude did not win many accolades in its first generation but the second-gen introduced in 1983 got rave reviews. It looked like an ordinary if capable sedan but had many attractive features and a ride that could rival an expensive sports car.
The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine along with a 2.0-liter Si version were key improvements because instead of carburetors, these came fuel-injected for maximum power. Plus by 1984, rear disc brakes were made standard, thus making these cars superior to their American counterparts.
5 The 1997-2001 Honda CR-V Was Plain Clever
The Honda CR-V or the Comfortable Runabout Vehicle stood behind its name, 100%. While it was hardly the first compact crossover to come into the car bazaar, its practicality soon overshadowed the competition, leaving them behind as a blip.
Small, cute, and very handy, it actually came with a picnic table as standard equipment. With a drawer under the passenger seat, a fold-down center tray, and 8-inches of ground clearance, this nifty little car could do a lot with ease. Except for hardcore off-roading.
4 The 1988-1991 Honda CRX Drove Sporty
The Honda CR-X was launched in 1984 and lasted till 1991, appreciated for most of its life. That said, the second-gen 1988 model that ran till 1991 was the true beauty of the lot. Much like how they upgraded the Integra Type-R, the CRX also came with a beefed-up suspension and sportier looks.
Excellent seating position, as well as superior handling, made it a modern classic that is well worth its under $10,000 price tag now as a used car. But don’t believe us, drive one and see for yourself.
3 The 1999-2006 Honda Insight Was A Revelation
Today, we can call the Insight one great car by Honda, mostly because it was the first hybrid car to come to the US with rather futuristic looks. Plus, the fuel economy was so good, it was ridiculous. Today, we call it a gamechanger. Back then, it was ahead of its time.
It came seven months ahead of the Toyota Prius, though it was the latter that reaped the benefits of being environmentally friendly as well as becoming a celebrity favorite. It rode harsh and the interiors were cramped as well, plus the low-rolling-resistance tires were an effort. But still, Honda made US pickup and notice hybrids, period.
2 The 1973-1979 Honda Civic Was A Perfect Fit
The ‘70s in the US was the worst time ever for anyone in the car business: the making, selling, buying, and even fuelling ends suffered alike. The automakers were in debt, sales were down and the buyers came cash and fuel-strapped. The muscle cars of the US were in decline and disbelief.
Enter the Honda Civic, minus a catalytic convertor. How? Because it came with a superior engine that followed emission control and managed to give enough power to let an American drive a car in peace. Plus, fuel economy kept the driver on a high…
1 The 2010-2015 Honda Accord Crosstour Was A Disaster
Never heard of it? Well, duh! The Honda Accord Crosstour was a car Honda made for no apparent reason but to introduce yet another crossover in the market, but they did it by taking an Accord and smooshing in the back end.
It did not sell and had an early demise. Why? Because it had no reason to sell, no USP whatsoever. All it did was sully the name of the Accord, and most who saw it did not know if it was a car, a wagon, or a crossover. So basically, despite the very crossover name, the Crosstour gathered dust for five years before slinking away. Not that anyone noticed that either!
Sources: TheNewYorkTimes, TheCarConnection