A reliable vehicle should be able to take you from Point A to Point B without any trouble but with utmost comfort. Honda has taken this role to heart for decades as it has become synonymous with reliable, daily commute vehicles for individuals and families.
Honda started as a relatively small company in 1946 specializing in motorized bicycles and eventually moved on into full-fledged motorcycles by 1949. While becoming the largest manufacturer of motorcycles, Honda also turned their focus to four-wheel vehicle manufacturing with the Honda T360 - a mini pick-up truck first introduced in 1963. From there, Honda expanded its vehicle product line to include cars, SUVs, and various recreational vehicles.
Who Owns Honda?
Honda is a Japanese multinational conglomerate automotive manufacturer. It is a publicly-traded company so it is owned by its shareholders. As of the time of writing this article, no single individual or company currently owns a majority stake in the company.
Popular Honda Vehicles
Here some popular Honda cars loved by consumers:
- Honda Civic - the definitive Honda vehicle that's easily recognizable anywhere. Its Type R is a well-known hatchback that packs a punch but can be easily handled even though it comes with a turbocharged engine.
- Honda Accord - if you're travelling with a family, the Accord will likely be one of your options. With a wheelbase of 111.4 inches and 195.7 inches in length, the Accord can easily give a family of five a breather while on the road.
- Honda NSX - A supercar with incredible handling is hard to come by yet Honda has achieved this with this particular model. Lightweight with its aluminum build and easily handled through VTEC technology, it also comes with a design that easily turns heads.
- Honda S2000 Roadster - Its 2.0L engine should never be messed with on the road when it comes to speed. But even with the speed, it still comes with reliable handling.
- Honda CRV - Honda's foray into SUV has led to this iconic vehicle that easily combines size, reliability, space and handling.
The Evolution Of The Honda Civic - Size, Design & More
Honda has made a name for itself with its various car models, but none of them is as popular as the Honda Civic series. As one of the most popular compact cars of any brand in the world, it has staved off competition for decades since its first introduction in 1972.
The Current Civic
The Honda Civic is already in its 11th generation (first released in 2021) and its size only got bigger in every generation. Its first model measured 139.8 inches in length and 59.25 inches in width while the 11th generation model is measures 179.0 inches in length and 70.9 inches in width.
A Look At Past Iconic Civic Models
1st Generation
Honda has been in the US market since the late 50s but it was thanks to the 1st generation of Honda Civic that it finally got the attention of car owners. This incredibly compact vehicle comes with a 1.2L engine that proves to be just enough to take you places without the need for a gas guzzler. While it may not be the greatest Civic, it was the first to make car owners consider Honda for their next reliable vehicle.
5th Generation
Relatively small (161.4 inches in length & 66.7 inches in width), this JDM vehicle is more than just a sleek car. Still a sought after vehicle since 1991 by many enthusiasts, it often comes with the reliable and powerful VTEC engine which was first introduced with this model.
6th Generation
Measuring 168.3 inches in length and 66.7 inches in width, the sixth-generation Honda Civic was slightly larger than its predecessor. Despite the fact that there minimal changes under the hood, there was no ignoring this Honda Civic. Building on its improved looks inside and out, Honda focused their upgrades on sleek suspension and controls. Because it is relatively easy to control even for beginners, it is still an incredibly popular after-market vehicle for various "modding" purposes.
8th Generation
First introduced in 2005, it is still an incredible car to look at with its incredible design that slightly departs with the traditional Civic Model. The first of its kind to use a digital speedometer, this relatively large compact vehicle (Measuring 176.3 inches in length and 69.1 inches in width) was relatively pricier compared to other compacts on its first release but its low maintenance and high mileage performance made the prize a good trade off.
10th Generation
The current generation may have all the sleek upgrades in technology and looks but it all comes from the foundation laid by the 10th generation Honda Civic. Measuring 182.3 inches in length and 70.8 inches in width, this relatively large compact vehicle pushes for a sportier look outside while maintaining its comfortable driving experience.
Back To The Current Generation - 11th
The current eleventh generation of the Honda Civic was launched in 2020 (with the first models released in 2021). It comes with a more aerodynamic design with improved interior space.
The 2025 model of the Honda Civic comes in various trims, including the LX, Sport, Sport Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid. With a length of 184.8 inches, height of 55.7 inches and 70.9 inches in width, the current model is the largest so far.
Overall, the Honda Civic has actually grown in size over the years, but the changes have been quite gradual so the car remains a reliable compact sedan.
Conclusion
It is hard to overlook the impact of Honda in the market of cars worldwide. With a wide array of models to choose from, they have adapted with the changing times, caught on with the trend and somehow made the upgrades their own. Their Honda Civic line of compact cars definitely ranks among the top of its class worldwide.
With a vision geared towards electrification, sustainability and innovative technology, we can expect more awesome cars from Honda in the future.
