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:

• 

  I like it - 2004 Honda Civic
  By dbuck - July 3 - 7:54 pm

  My mpg avg for 4000+ miles (B trip odo) is 52! Driving locally @ 60-65mph and normal in-town driving is 53-55 mpg! Only unusual maintenance was recall for fuel computer reboot. I Like my Civic Hybrid 5sp! Total mileage since new is 116xxx and brakes are still about 50+%. I wish Honda still offered the manual tranny, Id buy a new one with navi option. The only downside is the lack of power, but I didnt buy it for power. You have to plan ahead to pass. Going up long grades can be slow.

• 

  BIG GUY Stepped DOWN from a 2017 TOURING ACCORD - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Too Many Hondas !! - July 3 - 2:08 pm

  I ve had more HONDAS thru the years than a NORMAL person would mention....This is for newly retired folks with a 16 Odessy SE for People moving..If you want overall bang for your buck value wise..and use modern smart phone GPS apps...get an Accord Sport !! In the week weve had our SONIC GREY CIVIC TOURING HB..here are my impressions...WORST FEATURE ....CIVIC HORNS literally BLOW !! They are SO WEAK and ineffective they will put you in the GRAVEYARD IF YOU EVER NEED TO BE HEAD !!! Cmon HONDA WTF !! As I said I walked out of Accord touring V6 to Civic Touring...a step Down but not a big one...all the whistles and bells..Nice 560 watts entertainment system...Engine CVT and real world performance is very nice...Hot Summer right now..A/C is very good but NOT GREAT..HANDLES very nice..definitely hear tire noise vs Accord but time will tell..EVERYTIME youre out on the HIGHWAY someone whats to play JOHNNY BOY RACER and drive like an AHOLE...Last time I had this game being played was with Mustang...Build quality fit and finish PAINT seem GOOD...No reason not to get 40 plus on road at highway speed...I THINK YOU COULD RUN IT LIKE YA STOLE IT ALL DAY LONG AND GET 20 plus...have used PADDLE shifters on other Hondas...likeable feature...PREMIUM GAS RECOMMENDED...mix it up every other or third tank should be fine..Im a BIG DUDE and I fit in drivers AOK...pass front OK...back FOGETABOUTIT..Wife likes the MINI COOPERS...so part of the puzzle in purchase....If you can keep your foot off the gas and make smooth driving you can get AMAZING mileage with V6 sedan..non touring..have gotten 40 plus and Hi thirties when highway driving with the rat pack...I think this will be a welcome addition to the stable...THE EXT SEDAN and EX HB are very nice but several grand less...PS ACCORD INSURANCE is LESS than CIVICS....look before you leap !! A veering of the road opinion but these are initial observations....PS Wife likes mucho PSS more blind spots than Accord also..PSSS the 1.5 turbo will go in the Honda hall of fame....

• 

  BIG GUY Stepped DOWN from a 2017 TOURING ACCORD - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Too Many Hondas !! - July 3 - 2:08 pm

  I ve had more HONDAS thru the years than a NORMAL person would mention....This is for newly retired folks with a 16 Odessy SE for People moving..If you want overall bang for your buck value wise..and use modern smart phone GPS apps...get an Accord Sport !! In the week weve had our SONIC GREY CIVIC TOURING HB..here are my impressions...WORST FEATURE ....CIVIC HORNS literally BLOW !! They are SO WEAK and ineffective they will put you in the GRAVEYARD IF YOU EVER NEED TO BE HEAD !!! Cmon HONDA WTF !! As I said I walked out of Accord touring V6 to Civic Touring...a step Down but not a big one...all the whistles and bells..Nice 560 watts entertainment system...Engine CVT and real world performance is very nice...Hot Summer right now..A/C is very good but NOT GREAT..HANDLES very nice..definitely hear tire noise vs Accord but time will tell..EVERYTIME youre out on the HIGHWAY someone whats to play JOHNNY BOY RACER and drive like an AHOLE...Last time I had this game being played was with Mustang...Build quality fit and finish PAINT seem GOOD...No reason not to get 40 plus on road at highway speed...I THINK YOU COULD RUN IT LIKE YA STOLE IT ALL DAY LONG AND GET 20 plus...have used PADDLE shifters on other Hondas...likeable feature...PREMIUM GAS RECOMMENDED...mix it up every other or third tank should be fine..Im a BIG DUDE and I fit in drivers AOK...pass front OK...back FOGETABOUTIT..Wife likes the MINI COOPERS...so part of the puzzle in purchase....If you can keep your foot off the gas and make smooth driving you can get AMAZING mileage with V6 sedan..non touring..have gotten 40 plus and Hi thirties when highway driving with the rat pack...I think this will be a welcome addition to the stable...THE EXT SEDAN and EX HB are very nice but several grand less...PS ACCORD INSURANCE is LESS than CIVICS....look before you leap !! A veering of the road opinion but these are initial observations....PS Wife likes mucho PSS more blind spots than Accord also..PSSS the 1.5 turbo will go in the Honda hall of fame....

• 

  BIG GUY Stepped DOWN from a 2017 TOURING ACCORD - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Too Many Hondas !! - July 3 - 2:08 pm

  I ve had more HONDAS thru the years than a NORMAL person would mention....This is for newly retired folks with a 16 Odessy SE for People moving..If you want overall bang for your buck value wise..and use modern smart phone GPS apps...get an Accord Sport !! In the week weve had our SONIC GREY CIVIC TOURING HB..here are my impressions...WORST FEATURE ....CIVIC HORNS literally BLOW !! They are SO WEAK and ineffective they will put you in the GRAVEYARD IF YOU EVER NEED TO BE HEAD !!! Cmon HONDA WTF !! As I said I walked out of Accord touring V6 to Civic Touring...a step Down but not a big one...all the whistles and bells..Nice 560 watts entertainment system...Engine CVT and real world performance is very nice...Hot Summer right now..A/C is very good but NOT GREAT..HANDLES very nice..definitely hear tire noise vs Accord but time will tell..EVERYTIME youre out on the HIGHWAY someone whats to play JOHNNY BOY RACER and drive like an AHOLE...Last time I had this game being played was with Mustang...Build quality fit and finish PAINT seem GOOD...No reason not to get 40 plus on road at highway speed...I THINK YOU COULD RUN IT LIKE YA STOLE IT ALL DAY LONG AND GET 20 plus...have used PADDLE shifters on other Hondas...likeable feature...PREMIUM GAS RECOMMENDED...mix it up every other or third tank should be fine..Im a BIG DUDE and I fit in drivers AOK...pass front OK...back FOGETABOUTIT..Wife likes the MINI COOPERS...so part of the puzzle in purchase....If you can keep your foot off the gas and make smooth driving you can get AMAZING mileage with V6 sedan..non touring..have gotten 40 plus and Hi thirties when highway driving with the rat pack...I think this will be a welcome addition to the stable...THE EXT SEDAN and EX HB are very nice but several grand less...PS ACCORD INSURANCE is LESS than CIVICS....look before you leap !! A veering of the road opinion but these are initial observations....PS Wife likes mucho PSS more blind spots than Accord also..PSSS the 1.5 turbo will go in the Honda hall of fame....

• 

  Baby Boomers First Sports Car - 2007 Honda S2000
  By SamsS2K - July 3 - 11:59 am

  I fell in love with a cousins red Austin Healy when I was a teenager. What a rush! Nearly 40 years later I get that same rush with my red S2K. We lost our 2000 Accord to a rear end accident earlier this year. I love Honda and felt it would be only right to replace the old Accord with another Honda. A wild hair steered me to the S2000.Its been only a month or so but I cant get enough of it. We went on a near 5 hour mountain ride this weekend through some winding roads in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. My "automatic transmission" legs were worn out but the thrill was a true "heart pumper". Its my version of a safe Harley (all the fun and none of the risk). Why did I wait so long???

• 

  Practical and Cute - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Mary-Mary - July 3 - 3:56 am

  After researching I was in love with the Accord Coupe design. I bought one. Belize Blue. Its cute and practical (I can drive a week on one tank of gas). This is a car for someone who doesnt want to buy premium gas or pay high insurance rates while still looking stylish and "with it".

• 

  Is it showing its age? - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By juliegal - July 2 - 7:53 pm

  Ive had my CR-V for 2.5 years. Its been a great car and fun to drive, but I think it may be starting to show its age! At 2 years/30K the brakes, battery and tires all had to be replaced--too soon, in my book. Car has pulled to right from the start, but I live with that. From day one, Ive experienced a grinding noise from the rear when turning hard (U-turns). Finally, at the shop today I was told there is a differential repair bulletin out for this, requiring resurfacing and new pads (work done at Hondas expense). Lately, I notice the car is a bit sluggish starting, and it surges at stop signs. The VSA indicator comes on occasionally. Hope this isnt a problem brewing!

• 

  Noisy ErgoNot - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By talldriver2 - July 2 - 6:08 pm

  I bought a Honda Pilot because of Hondas reputation and my need for an SUV. I traded in a fully-loaded, Ford Explorer Ltd Edition, that was a fun and reliable piece of luxury machinery. I came to realize that the Pilot is incredibly noisy on the highway. Every little creak and creep of the tires, body and plastic is amplified tenfold. Additionally, the egonomics are ErgoNOTmics. The steering wheel blocks the gauges. The steering controls are constantly being activated by my fingers, accidentally, while turning (very annoying and dangerous). The radio controls are backwards and difficult to reach with the seat completely back. The trip odometers are impossible to reset while driving, etc.

• 

  Chess 3456 - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Gary Chester - July 2 - 10:00 am

  The Hondoa Accord can fit 5 people in it comfortably. This is my third Honda and Ive never had any problems, only normal M & R. Hoping the 2003 version is a winner, so I can look forward to another Accord in the future.If you want to buy a 1998 Hondoa Acord the price should be between 13K-16K.

• 

  Hondas forever! - 1991 Honda Accord
  By lovemyhonda - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This was my first Honda- I bought it when it was 4 years old with 65,000 miles on it. I have since put another 120,000 miles on it and it runs as well as it did when I bought it. All you need to do with these cars is change the oil and replace the timing belt now and again! I am treating myself to a 1998 Accord, otherwise I would keep this one for another 60,000 miles. You cannot beat a Honda Accord- they look great, run well and are low maintenance vehicles. I am a lifer!