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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  kansas city rock hopper - 2002 Honda Civic
  By rock hopper - March 1 - 2:00 am

  The front struts on this car went out with in 5000 miles. Dealer advise-- "you will be paying for them soon enough your self" A/C system not adequate on a hot day. FM/AM have different sound levels. Oil filter hard to get to. AT transmission down shifts too fast when cruse control is on. Sun roof rattles. Paint job is flakey and weak. Sheet metal dents if you look at it sideways.

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  Boring box - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By rondor - February 27 - 2:00 am

  This is a very boring boxey vehicle with a great engine and drivetrain. The vehicles side doors rattle and the service depatment does not know how to fix them. The gas mileage is terrible and hadling is slugish. Its great for traveling with kids. Hard to park and backup. Rear visability is poor.

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  TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE!!! - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By ex-hondafan - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 04 Odyssey over the Sienna an although the vehicle rides nice I am very upset over the very low gas mileage I am getting (12-16 mpg). I have a 2003 Ford F150 Supercrew with the V8 that is getting much better mileage than this car. The dealer and Honda America both say that 12-16 mpg is acceptible and within the expected range!! Unbelievable - why do they put 19/24 on the window sticker then? With gas pushing $2/gallon I would recommend a different vehicle for this reason alone.

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  A Blemish on Hondas Record - 1997 Honda Civic
  By NoMoreHonda - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 97 Honda Civic CX hatchback with only 37,000 miles on it. Within the first week, a sensor and ignition coil both failed and the car left me sit. The engine is terribly underpowered. I spent $600 on new shocks/struts only to find that the terrible ride quality had not improved. The doors rattled and interior noise was plentiful. NO extras, not even lights in the glove box or rear hatch. There are Hyundais out there which look, feel, and run better than that car did! I sold it within a year and bought an 86 Subaru which actually feels BETTER!

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  never again - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By mjmcl - February 12 - 2:00 am

  After 4 sets of breaks and 2 sets of drums the breaking system sound like the axle is going to fall off. The side doors wount open when its cold. Neither of the problems could be solved by the dealership even after 2 1/2 years of trying. I bought a honda because they were suppose to be able to go over 100,000 miles, not this one.

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  20 minute test drive thoughts. - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By james thompson - February 12 - 1:17 am

  Test drove a little while ago as there were some good deals on some down at the dealer and was in the market for a Hybrid. Test drove the middle trim level, and it was nice, but there were some things I couldnt get past. First off the vehicle seemed to vibrate a little more than I would like it to when the gas motor was running as well as braking. I dont know if it was just that car or not though. The blind spot camera was a neat idea, but really got kind of annoying as it come on every time you turn on your right turn signal. even when sitting at a stop light. But probably one of the most annoying things about the car was its lack of actual volume knob for the stereo. It has steering wheel controls and a volume adjuster on the touch screen, but theres a slight delay, enough to be very annoying to me, and when using the touch screen controller, it wouldnt alway adjust like I thought it should have been. Other than those hang up, this car is quite nice. The sound is great, I like the 2 screen implementation and the instrumentation is nice. Also not having a lot of confusing packages for each trim level makes things easy to know what you are getting for what you buy. Overall 3/5.

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  Was disappointed in the van - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Debbiebeth - February 8 - 8:43 pm

  The van rides well but the gas mileage is not anywhere near the figures quoted. Have owned this van 4 months and it has been in the shop 3 times already. Has had the brakes go out - and there was a recall on them. The passenger seatbelt is uncomfortable and Honda does not have an extension available. Has had one run-flat tire already had to be replaced. We found to replace the run-flat tire is $650.00 according to the dealer. Thought the hidden compartment was cool - but found is impractical to use.

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  Great Car crappy CVT - 2014 Honda Accord
  By ryan - February 7 - 10:12 am

  I use the car for work and drive 30K a year! I have owned several CVT vehicles before this and this by far has the worst CVT I have ever owned. Car shutters until warmed up and I recently lost reverse until warmed up. Honda dealer replaced the valve body in the CVT as that is Hondas fix for the Accords and CRVs with this issue. This is a common problem in the 13-14 Accord and CRV. I now have reverse again however the shutter is still there. Besides the CVT its a great car! This is probably my fourth or fifth Honda and up to this car Honda for me meant reliability and resale. This will be my last Honda as the reliability is a real concern. I just bought my wife a 16 Pathfinder Platinum as the Pilot Elite has known transmission issues as well. Sorry Honda you lost me as a customer!

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  bad mileage very bad mileage - 2005 Honda Accord
  By akatz - February 5 - 12:16 am

  extremely bad mileage...17 miles per gallon...complained to the dealer...they said that it is normal because of the v6 and that the sticker info when you buy a new car (and that advertized the car for 27in the city and 35 on highways) is not established by Honda but by an independent company...so honda has no responsibility...Nice pick-up though, fun to drive but a killer for gaz. Also after a year the leather is already wearing off...it is too thin and dries- up and wrinkle very easily...so my friends...beware and ask the dealer more than a few questions....my feel is that there are going to be a lot of these on the used market very soon..so if you want a v6..get it used!!

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  Overated Honda Quality - 2006 Honda Accord
  By DrYzf600 - February 4 - 10:13 am

  The car is basically a good car. It is the quality and dealer experience that ruins it. I bought it with 6 miles on the odo and it died on me when I was driving it,no power, nothing.A few mins. later it would restart. It was in for repair twice in the first 2 weeks. It was a bad engine computer like I told them to check the first time.But Im not a "mechanic", so what do I know? Now the paint on the bottom window trim is curling back and I have a bulge in the A pillar airbag cover/trim piece. Also I have an electrical problem that they say is "normal" the headlights dim and the idle gets rough and the hvac fan surges. I say bad alternator, they say it just cant keep up and that its normal.