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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  Honda minivan 2006 - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By bmw125 - July 30 - 9:00 pm

  I think it has great value, it is fun to drive, and it looks good inside and out. Its not the coolest car in the world but it gets the job done just fine.

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  USB/ Bluetooth - 2013 Honda Odyssey
  By vimanman - July 30 - 7:16 pm

  Just traded a 2007 Odyssey for a 2013 Odyssey EXL . The car drives Great and all the interiro features are nice but...... WTF the USB plays in an archaic fashion, you cannot play files as you woudl on your computer or any other car.... The bluetooth DOES NOT show what song is playing... Its quite a shame that Honda decided to ignore this part of the Odyssey. I purchased a 2013 Civic a few months back and It has all the features, (USB that you can pay your files in order, Bluetooth that displays the song) I am wondering why Honda seels a car ^ months later that has such archaic technology.

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  Vibration and Engine Ringing - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By kr1839 - July 30 - 4:12 pm

  Go on a long test drive before buying this vehicle and tell the salesman not to talk so you can listen and feel without distraction. This vehicle has a pronounced vibration in echo mode which can be felt and heard. My vehicle also developed a very suttle ringing and I only have a few thousand miles on it. The dealer says it is just part of the vehicle design and that their computers say nothing is wrong. So Im SOL. I loved my first Honda Pilot but I wont buy another Honda product after this experience.

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  honda 2010 civic dx-vp - 2010 Honda Civic
  By stephanie35 - July 29 - 3:01 pm

  I bought this car used 1 week ago. 25,000 miles. I love it. It does not have any noise as mentioned in other review. As a matter of fact, my fiancé said it is so quiet. It does not ride rough - smooth ride. Air conditioning is great - I keep on low and I am always hot. Great car. I would recommend to anyone.

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  HAPPY - 2013 Honda Ridgeline
  By bscovotti - July 29 - 11:54 am

  Im very happy with my Honda Ridgeline purchase.

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  Door lock actuators - 2009 Honda Accord
  By denisehamdi - July 28 - 7:12 pm

  I bought my 2009 Honda Accord used with approx 18,000 miles on it. I love it!! The only issue I have is that I have had to replace the 2 door lock actuators on the drivers side. Now the back passenger actuator is going. Im going to wait until the front passenger actuator goes so I can replace them at the same time. It seems thats an issue of the part. Otherwise LOVE my Honda!!!

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  So Far, So Good - 2013 Honda Accord
  By mikesd4 - July 27 - 1:11 pm

  I have owned my 2013 Accord Sedan for 8 months now, and overall, I am very satisfied. The car handles very nicely, is very comfortable (I am 62"), looks great, accelerates nicely, is quiet, and came with lots of great standard features, like the bluetooth and backup camera. I have drive mostly in the city, and mileage is okay - around 24 mpg. However, highway mileage is great - around 38 mpg. I have experience the CVT stuttering mentioned by other reviewers on occasion. It is not that bad so, at least in my car. However, Honda really should address this issue if lots of buyers are having a major problem with it.

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  Name went on before the quality went in - 2007 Honda Civic
  By cc58 - July 27 - 7:51 am

  Had my 2007 EX coupe for 80,000 miles and 6 years now. Ive learned that honda reliability can be counted on for their recalls. It will fail if you get one. Got recall on bolt failure on water pump pulley. Shortly after the pulley fell out of the engine bay and destroyed a belt. Luckily, no other damage and was fixed for free. Got a recall on visor failure and it failed and replaced free. Got a TSB on motor mount failure, motor started slamming into chassis replaced mount at my expense. In the last few months the paint on the roof has rapidly oxidized under the clearcoat and looks terrible. Unfortunately, no recall yet on the paint and I can not afford to fix it. Honda, never again.

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  Great! ,,but.... - 2002 Honda Civic
  By ethelip - July 27 - 1:55 am

  Had this car for 2 years now - I drive it tough, on tough roads (NYC, dirt roads..) I can accelarate as fast as I need - even though I must use low gears & push it, she goes! Now 86K and still sounds great.

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  Third time charmer - 2013 Honda Civic
  By cybertrooth - July 25 - 7:30 pm

  This is our third Civic LX in a row, which kind of says it right there. I only bought this one because I promised our 07 to my college-age son. Not as zippy as the 07 with Econ button pressed, but I did get 41.7 mpg on the first road trip. Ride is also quieter and smoother than before. And one annoyance fixed: The drivers side floor mat has EZ-twist buttons for removal instead of those frustrating hooks! Ive rented just about every other small car, including a Corolla in 10, but the Civic remains the gold standard of its class.