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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  Time will tell - 2008 Honda Civic
  By CB - August 5 - 6:33 am

  Had 2 weeks. Front seats uncomfortable, loud road noise, choppy sound on highway. Had MT for 12 years don!t know what!s normal for AT. Driveway has very slight slant, when I park car and I put it in park and let go of brake the car rolls back more than I like before stopping, dont know if all automatics roll that much or if mine has an issue. Very low bassy type sound when holding at steady speeds. 37+ mpg mixed right now (2 tanks). Only on high idle when intermittent wipers activate the idle slightly raises momentarily. Tranny shifts great but sometimes when just about completely stopped get weird feeling. Maybe just starts downshift as come to a stop. Maybe not tranny, hard to explain

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  great purchase - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By collins - August 5 - 2:43 am

  i love it. the only things that i would change is that the rear hatch window cannot be opened separately you must open the entire door and the power points do not operate a phone/dvd player unless the vehicle is on...other than that its a great vehicle.

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  A cute little car that almost could - 2007 Honda Fit
  By jdachinh - August 4 - 9:20 pm

  Everything about this car is great with 1 exception - no engine temperature gauge. The warning light will go on only after the engine gets hot! What a lack of foresight for such a great automobile company. Does this mean people who buy this vehicle should not take out of town road trips? Of all the design innovations, why were the folks at Honda that dumb to not include a engine temp. gauge. I live in Phoenix. Ever tried driving up to Flagstaff, AZ with the air conditioner on? It would disappoint me if I have to do a Fred Flintstone number just to travel north due to engine overheating

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  Good n could be better - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By love to drive - August 4 - 8:50 pm

  We bought this van because its good handling design. Fuel economy is very disappointing if you look at the manufacturers specs. High-way noise is very noticeble comparing to Sienna. VCM system is a joke.

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  2004 Pilot - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Napa Pilot Family - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Well designed and extremely comfortable. Fits an active family very well. Roomier than our previous mini van. Intelligent cargo area. Back seating for passengers is very comfortable. Easy to drive, excellent visibility. Entertainment system is a real pleasure for the passengers. Drives very solidly. The whole family was pleased with this purchase.

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  honda pilot 2004 - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By roel29 - August 4 - 10:00 am

  It has been truly bulky to drive especially when youre alone in the car. However i also feel the responsiveness of it. I dont feel the bounce in the rough roads and the feels very luxurious.

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  Honda Civic, The Best Car Around! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By IceQueen - August 4 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 4 Hondas now including this one and I am the happiest with this purchase. Its a great car I drive 116 miles to work a day and I can go all week with 1 tank of gas. And it is the cutest, roomiest car around.

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  just a GOOD CAR - 2004 Honda Civic
  By alex e - August 4 - 10:00 am

  im an 18-year-old college student and this civic is my first band new car. its so quiet in neutral that i didnt even realize it was running the first time i got in. im 63" and have no problem getting in or out of my car. i also fit quite comfortably in the back seats and headroom is not even an issue. very sleek, easy-to-work interior. never have to struggle up any grade hill with this manual transmission- gear engagement is smooth, and the clutch is very soft. engine boom starts becoming evident once you get past 4k rpms, but isnt a problem on the freeway since rpms stay at juuust under 4k going 85mph.(6th gear would help.)i get 33 mpg, LOVE the car!

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  Extreme Gas Consumption - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Fedup - August 4 - 10:00 am

  While I love the car, it is using more gas than an SUV, even though it is a 4 cylinder. It took a while to get Honda to believe me but they finally replaced the computer,catalytic converter and O2 sensor after 2 weeks of testing. But guess what, this didnt fix the problem so they shipped the car to their Toronto engineers for 5 weeks of testing. Surprise, the engineer says the car runs according to spec, Honda says tough luck. Curiously, the spec says 7 Litres/ 100 Km city and 9L highway, I calculate an average of 13L.For US readers this is more than a GM Suburban.

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  I really like this car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By eric1 - August 4 - 10:00 am

  If you are in the market for a new sedan i dont think you can match the value of a new ex with leather and nav. I dont think the car will win any races but it will get you there safely and on time. I have had it for a week now and i cant justify the extra 10k that i was thinking about spending on a new acura tl. Some things on the acura were a little nicer/refined but i couldnt be happier