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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  Bad MPG, Reliable But Way Overrated - 1997 Honda Accord
  By aguywhoknowscars - July 2 - 8:55 am

  After searching for over a year, I finally sold my beloved Dodge Caravan cause it only got 16 mpg overall and bought my 97 Accord EX Wagon thinking Id be getting both economy and utility. Well I got the utility, but not the economy. My EX wagon (4 cyl VTEC) was woefully underpowered and got, at best, only 18 mpg combined. Im very mechanical and know a lot about cars. I do not drive with a lead foot. I ran myself ragged for over a year taking the car to 3 or 4 mechanics (including the dealership) to try to remedy the problem. Everythings "normal" was what I was told. Fed up, I sold the car after 1 year of unsuccessfully trying to improve the mpg problem. Car had less than 50K.

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  Worst vehicle ever owned - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By nashcbr929 - June 28 - 9:49 am

  I hate this car, I traded my f-150 supercrew 5.4 for this CR-V because my wife wanted something smaller w/better gas mileage. My truck got 13.5 everywhere, and this CR-V gets about 14 in town, and I completely baby this thing. I keep it under 2000 rpms everywhere in town and still get 14 mpg. It doesnt lock the doors automatically in drive, no auto headlights, terrible ergonomics in the seats and driving position. The only thing positive I have to say about it is that it has light steering and handles decent.

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  Uncomfortable seats - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Dave - June 27 - 12:27 pm

  Very close to purchasing the 2018 Honda Odyssey but opted for the Sienna instead. Generally, I like the latest tech (Odyssey has Apple Play but Sienna does not) ... interestingly however, I actually prefer the knob transmission handle (and round A/C knob) on the Sienna instead of the transmission buttons on the 2018 Odyssey. One of our best friends bought the 2018 Odyssey EX-L and loves it (although GPS didnt work properly to get the right destination). I was disappointed that the 2018 Odyssey A/C vents for the 2nd/3rd row seats are on the side of the vehicle (bad for hot weather days) instead of the ceiling like the Sienna. Nevertheless, I still would have purchased the 2018 Odyssey but the one thing that killed the purchase were the UNCOMFORTABLE seats. I was willing to upgrade (spend more) getting the Elite because it had perforated seats in the 1st/2nd rows which offers a bit more cushion but still nowhere as comfortable as the Sienna seating. I sat in the 2nd row of my best friends 2018 Odyssey EX-L during a ride ... and seating felt so uncomfortable (too hard) that I actually disliked the whole ride experience - it seems to be a bit more noisy than the Sienna ride too. In all fairness, the Elite does have ventilated seats as standard in the front seats which the Sienna does not have.

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  Fog Lights anyone? - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Keith - June 27 - 8:33 am

  This has been a great vehicle for us. Enough room for our stuff and our dog and still room for the additional family member coming in about 7 months. But look out if you have to replace certain parts. $275 fog light assembly plus 1 hour labor to remove the entire bumper cover because the fog light was hit with a rock. Hopefully insurance will cover, but what if it had just burned out? $400 for a lightbulb? Sad that such a great car has such poor design qualities.

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  Its not great but not bad - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Decent car - June 27 - 7:03 am

  The transmission has a lot to be desired. It has been replaced once and is still acting up. The body is flimsy (dented by someone leaning against the fender. The paint is terrible (does not hold up well to pebbles and road debris. Will not hold an alignment for too long. One bright light quick working (replaced bulb and still doesnt work). Gas gage has never read full even when filled to the brim.

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  Counting down to trade-in - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Salesguy - June 26 - 3:03 am

  This car is full of annoyances. Front seats are very uncomfortable. V6 VCM is a joke, 270HP feel more like 200, fuel economy is terrible and I can feel the car hesitate every time the VCM turns cylinders on/off. "Premium" stereo sounds mediocre at best, the average rental car has a better sounding system. Squeaks and rattles near the rear deck, sunroof, center console, passenger seat. Driver door exterior handle sticks. Constant road noise. No memory seats, no trip computer, can only display outside temp with trip odometer. Not what I would have expected from the EX-L. This will be my last Honda.

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  low mpg and build quality - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By scs_13 - June 25 - 11:16 am

  I am disappointed with my purchase for the following reasons: low mileage (14.5 mpg city, 24 mpg high way). The car has about a dozen different rattles depending on the outside temperature. The driver and front passenger seat are not comfortable due to the position of the (non- telescoping) steering wheel. The doors do not close well, together with the wind noise you never feel secure about properely shut doors. The doors had to be aligned, since they were chipping the paint. The car has a bumpy ride, it in no way doubles as a sedan, its a truck with 8 seats. The raised expectations were clearly not met. You should do a much more extensive test drive then me before you buy.

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  Bad apple - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Hafi - June 24 - 3:11 pm

  Hi everyone. Just got rid of my 04 accord ex with 79k miles. Wow! Low miles? You may ask why I sold it. These cars are bullet proof right? Im sure they are but not mine. I bought the car 7 months ago with 71k miles on it. I came from a toyota yaris so this was a huge step! I decided to go for the other most reliable Japanese cars. Little did I know I was making a mistake. First off car had an issue serving to the right. Showed 4 mechanics (professionals) and no one knew what was wrong. Secondly the most devasting thing was that the engine oil burned in ridiculous amounts. Which meant for a new engine. 3000 bucks?? No way! I cant afford that. Got rid of it and now Im car less. Great.. anyways the steering is extremely stiff. Great for highways but not so good on parking lots and city. I could not get use to the steering. Kind of sad because I thought I would drive this car into the sunset. Oh well. Next car will be toyota since I had experience with my last one.hope this helps . Forgot to mention. For some reason my accord was gas guzzling. 25 highway and like 14 city. Insane number for a 2.4l. Sad.

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  Hondas Worst Disappointment - 1991 Honda Accord
  By Esoterica - June 23 - 3:25 pm

  I can not express how much trouble this car was for me. Having been a dedicated Honda owner of all types I never imagined them creating a lemon. Granted I had bought it used but that was never a problem before. From overheating to a faulty ignition and distributor problems it was the least dependable car Ive ever owned.(I thought Chrysler products were bad about leaving you stranded on the side of the road. There is an obvious reason Honda only manufactured this style for 3 years. I almost paid extra money for the Acura version. Probably should have. I ended up selling it at a major loss just to get it out of my driveway.

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  Disappointment - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By jd - June 21 - 9:58 pm

  This was the first Honda we had bought. I just traded it in after only 11 months. We were very unhappy with the gas mileage, 15 city/22 highway. The A/C did not work the day we picked it up and it took several visits after having to drive in 90+ deg VA weather before the leak was found and correctly fixed. Trouble with run flat tire at 10000 miles. Concerning mileage I was told no one should expect what they advertise.