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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  Love it. - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Edward Roeder - October 24 - 4:00 pm

  Ive only had it for 2 months but I love it. Plenty of power, excellent comfort. Averaging 27.0 mpg overall. XM radio built-in a plus. Comfortable seats an well laid out interior.

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  A Potentially Great Car, But Flaws - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Craig - October 24 - 2:16 pm

  Yes, the automatic shifts smoothly when accelerating normally, but if you accelerate slowly it shifts into top gear at 37 mph and groans like a cow if you then try to push it. Agree with others the head rest is too far forward and my head bounces off it on medium to large bumps. Trunk space has shrunk from 2005 and it was noticeable once I tried to move stuff to it from my old compact. Gas mileage so far (1200 miles) is no better than the old compact (about 31 mpg avg). Wiper on passenger side clears an annoyingly small space to see (due to large window). If youre over six feet, check your head room with the sun roof as it lowers the ceiling. Speakers are good but expected better with six!

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  HondaFonda - 2006 Honda Civic
  By HondaFun - October 24 - 5:16 am

  I purchased my Honda civic last month and I love it!

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  Fit and finish - 2008 Honda Civic
  By carreview - October 24 - 4:26 am

  The Civic’s that are made in Canada has very poor fit and finish. The hood on the left and right fender would not be even, other panels on the car would be off on each side and also the bumper in the back. If they cant even make that right, just imagine the engine and the transmission components. “Honda owner check your civics and you would be able to tell the difference on the body panels are not even on the right and left sides of the car”. I asked the dealer sales people and their replied “they don’t know why”. However the civic hybrids are made very well, those are made in Japan.

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  Fun car for little cash. - 2005 Honda S2000
  By JESSE GUISEPPE - October 23 - 11:26 pm

  The engine sounds great at high RPM

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  Perfect choice in this class... - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Mel - October 23 - 7:08 pm

  After a long and exhaustive research, I opted for the Pilot EXL with Navi. I was going to wait for the 07 but with no change... why bother. Besides getting a price way below invoice was well worth it. I love the fact that this SUV have most if not all of the amenities I wanted. The only thing that I was hoping for was a DVD system ... but they dont offer it with the Navi. I figured if they did, less people will be looking at the Acura version. Overall, Ive put in about 5K miles already and still like driving it. Ive been tracking my mpg (combined) and only getting 18-19. The best was 23 and the worst was 16 mpg.

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  The worst midsize sedan available. - 2000 Honda Accord
  By beemerboy147 - October 23 - 11:00 am

  I wouldnt reccommend this thing to my worst enemy. Outside, the design looks terrible and none of the panels are aligned properly. The sheet metal dents and bends very easily. The engine has no power, and runs with lots of drone and vibration, even on premium gas. Inside, materials are cheap. Period. There is plenty of road and wind noise, and poorly-sealed doors allow plenty of air to enter from the outside through the latch handles and window switches. The ride is stiff, and handling is lackluster at best. The interior is cramped, even up front. The backseat may be able to seat a Barbie doll, but it would be a tight fit. Reliability isnt that good either.

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  The Price makes it great! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By themanindbox - October 23 - 4:03 am

  I have owned my civic for 10 months, it has been very, very good to me. It has the typical 3rd gear issue, but if you go to the dealership with this (08-020) Service bulletin they will fix it free of charge. I average about 28 mpg in NYC which is great. In Ohio i was getting closer to 40 mpg on the highway. The MPG is better then my co-workers smart car, and it is much better looking as well. It has terrible blind spots, and the factory head lights are terrible. The stock radio is "ok" and replacing it is a nightmare. But for a stock car at the 20 grand mark. There is nothing more fun, or better to drive. It can use some more torque.

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  Very good van, but - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Bill - October 23 - 2:06 am

  Have owned a new 2018 EX-L for two weeks. Very quiet interior. Instrumentation has a learning curve and I must be slow. No compass at all. Major mistake by Honda. With 9 gears it shifts a lot and Im still not use to that. Turned off the adaptive cruise control and now just use regular cruise control. ACC keeps slowing you down and prevents flowing with the traffic. The steering wheel vibration on the lane departure takes some getting used to, but a very nice safety feature. A very solid van with a great ride. And my wife loves it so all is good.

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  2007 Honda CRV - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By jamil - October 23 - 12:06 am

  Traded in my 8 year Lexus RX 300 for a CR-V, hard to let go of the Lexus quality and luxury but I felt that the CR-V was a more economical SUV and was in the price range I need to be in with a daughter starting college in the fall. Was impressed with the 2nd row legroom as myself and daughter are 510". The rear hatch is the easiest SUV to open and close on the market. The drive is fine, unfortunately, just too used to my Lexus to be impressed. The price was impressive for the features. Overall, I think that this will be a good car buy for the next several years and that my teen drivers will be safe.