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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  No Support - 2012 Honda Accord
  By Robert - September 24 - 11:51 am

  Purchased a 1 year old Honda Accord For my daughter 2 years ago 10000 miles when purchased 39000 now and the Rack and Pinion steering went out read 2 message boards and found several (over 50 ) Honda Accord owners have had the same issue with low miles and yet Honda does NOT back there product $1200-$1500 to repair a 3-1/2 year old car that was $24000 when purchased Not a happy Customer #Hondadoesnotbackthereproduct

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  Its a GREAT Car - 1995 Honda Accord
  By Lisa - September 24 - 10:46 am

  I would have given it all 10s except for the AC. I have had trouble with mine not getting real cold. I paid about $400 once for it to be fixed, and it made no difference in the end. It works, just not well for our hot humid summers here in St. Louis. Now 12 years old, the electric window motors are wanting to quit. I wont put any money into this car and plan on driving it until it gives out. This vehicle has cost me very little to run for the past ten years. Brakes, mufflers, oil, tires, and the previously mentioned AC issue. I had to replace the clutch slave/master thingy once, and a cv boot once after a car did a hit and run on me while my vehicle was parked.

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  happy honda buyer - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By jta - September 23 - 8:44 pm

  is dont come with option for hybrid

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  I would buy it again - 2007 Honda Fit
  By kellogs - September 23 - 1:39 pm

  First of all, I think the fit is an excellent car. After living with it for a year here are the lacking features: no locking gas cap, no dead pedal, no centre arm rest, thin carpet, the front of car is too low (may hit curb), hard to see front of car, blown easily in crosswinds, slightly noisy, seats get slightly uncomfortable after 1-2 hours. When I bought the Fit, I had a budget in which I could have purchased any car. I bought the Fit because: excellent reliability, great versatility WRT interior space, looks nice, fun to drive, good value, good fuel economy, has ABS and 6 airbags. I can easily live with all the minor deficiencies of this car because of the cars good points.

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  Great Gas Mileage - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Great Gas Mileage - September 23 - 9:10 am

  The new style is great. The new Civic is comfortable and with under a 1,000 miles have already had 37.5 mpg mixed highway / city driving.

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  CR-V review - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By bobincinti - September 23 - 12:43 am

  I recently purchased my CRV in Nov 2008 to replace an aging Nissan Frontier. While the vehicle drives well and gets great fuel economy (about 25 mpg), there are some minor things that bother me. The seats are very stiff and get to be uncomfortable on long drives, the dash slants away from the driver, so you have to lean forward to get to the the controls (radio, HVAC, etc) and the external mirrors are too small. They LX model has a foldable tray, for about $10 in material they could have put in a full center console as well. Other than those minor issues, this is a great vehicle.

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  Tonneau cover water leaks - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jim - September 23 - 12:42 am

  The 2017 Ridgeline has a design that allows rain water to enter the truck bed, even when covered by a Tonneau. Its because its unibody. Owners need to be aware of this before they buy ANY Tonneau cover. Look at the TOP ABS rail of the truck bed where it contacts the cab window. You will see a rectangular opening in both corners, where the right side and the left side contact the truck cab. Gently pour a bottle of water in this hole. The majority of the water drains out the bottom of the truck and hits the ground. However a portion of the water drains into the truck bed. So, ANY Tonneau cover will let rain water in. It will probably leak with a cab-height shell also. And actually, all the rain water that hits the roof of the truck and drains down the rear window is liable to go into the bed through this hole too. There is no seal by design. A topper supplier told me that as of March 2017, Tonneau cover maker ARE is aware of this and trying to engineer a fix. Just FYI.

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  The Hallelujah Hybrid - 2010 Honda Insight
  By hunter20ga - September 22 - 9:43 pm

  The Honda Insight makes you want to shout "hallelujah!" Finally, a hybrid with vigor! No one will confuse this car with the sporty Civic Si, but neither will you feel left in the dust at every stoplight in normal traffic. The Insight is responsive, fun to drive, and easy on the eyes. The interior is competitive in the price range. Seats could be upgraded some, though, with more adjustment for both driver and front passenger. Expect to beat the EPA ratings...my first 500 miles (about 65% highway and 35% city) yielded a nice 46.5 mpg, even with a strong quartering wind for the last 125 miles that knocked about a mile per gallon off the trips average.

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  First midsize SUV - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Linda - September 22 - 7:34 pm

  I bought a new 07 CRV 11 days ago but took it back and got an 08 Pilot. I have never had a SUV before but it rides nice and is very comfortable. Gas mileage doesnt look very good but for a 2-ton vehicle I guess it will be OK.

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  Bad Radio - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Radio Sucks - September 22 - 5:20 pm

  I bought my Ridgeline in July and have not been able to pick up radio stations in my area. Dealership has changed antenna modular and the cable. Now they are trying the radio. I love this truck but not the radio. I must have gotten a lemon. The best feature is the trunk in the bed.