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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  One Great Car - 2006 Honda Accord
  By ha2006 - May 2 - 10:00 pm

  Ive owned my Accord for 1 year 5 months now. Its been a great car to me other than me having to have the transmission replaced. Dont expect yours to crap out on you though, the previous owner only had the fluid changed 1 time in 100,000 miles. Bad idea. Oh well, other than that its been great! Just usual maintenance is all its needed. It feels like a very solid car, i get 25-27 mpg routinely and all i do is drive to school and work. Its in good shape overall, i do detail it every week. The paint still looks great. Mine has 110,000 miles on it now and it still drives great. VERY smooth 4 cylinder engine and more than enough pick up, this thing is peppy! continued in favorite features section.

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  A Safe and Fun "Sport" Hybrid - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By ng_cruiser - May 2 - 2:35 pm

  I bought this car after driving a 2006 VW GTI 1.8T for over six years. I will say that the CR-Z is a fun little car to drive, but has VERY slow acceleration. Pretty good storage space considering youre giving up a backseat. The WORST thing about this car was the blind spots caused by the rear hatch door and window design. My CR-Z was totaled two days after I bought it. I was rear ended while standing still by someone going about 45 mph and walked away with pretty bad whiplash but not much else. Its a safe car. A good value for the money but Id wait for them to work out the design flaws before investing in one. Again the blind spots are TERRIBLE.

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  Good Value - 2013 Honda Civic
  By agedsage - April 30 - 3:45 pm

  This sedan has enough hi-tech features to wow. Interior is comfortable but feels confined (I replaced a 2008 Camry hybrid) but reasonably comfortable for medium distance trips. I only have the car for two weeks and filled the tanks twice. In town I was averaging 23-24 mpg. I took a 10-hour round trip mostly at 55-60 mph I was getting close to 39-40 mpg. On acceleration the car has a tendency to be jerky if the gas pedal is released. After driving the round trip for close to 9 hrs my back started to get stiff. A lower back support may be the next item I should try. The trunk is small but acceptable it could accommodate 2 sets of golf clubs with room for overnight luggage.

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  Transmission Replacement at 18K - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By jcv77 - April 29 - 8:04 pm

  My wife and I decided that the Odyssey would be the best bet based on our growing family but soon had doubts. 1. After 4K miles the windows started rolling down automatically when the car was parked - at home, in the parking garage at work, in downtown DC. I took it to the dealership twice before they diagnosed a defective key fob and replaced both keys. 2. At 18K miles we started noticing a little hesitation when driving on the highway between 45-55 miles per hour. I took it to the dealership where they told me the transmission needed to be replaced. Now with a new transmission we have 25K miles and I feel a similar hesitation. I think I need to trade the van before the warranty is up.

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  One month review - 2011 Honda Insight
  By mattwc1 - April 29 - 7:21 pm

  First off, many hybrid owners get a bad (yet well deserved) rap of being," holier than thou" when it comes to the environmental impact of their cars. Lets dismiss some myths. Hybrids Do NOT save the world or the environment (one look at mining practices for the metals to make up the various batteries will easily disprove that) . Sorry to dash the hopes of the misinformed. Hybrids DO help in saving significant amounts in your fuel expenditures. More importantly, hybrids do allow the user to save fuel while still being able to use the existing infrastructure. (rant off) I bought my base 2011 Insight to replace a very nice 2009 Rav4. It has in over 1000 miles already saved fuel costs by 1/2.

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  Best car ever! - 1995 Honda Civic
  By megsiep52 - April 29 - 12:36 am

  I bought this car used with 202k miles on it. Ive had it just over a year and its not got 220k. It consistently gets 39 mpg combined (it has the 1.5L Vtec motor). Weve had to put some work into it CV axles, tie rods, control arms and ball joints but this has been well worth the time and $ put into it. This car gets better city gas mileage than just about ANY new car. And with it being 18 years old with 220k miles on it? It drives like new! The paint is fading but were going to have a paint job done. For a completely STOCK car this is the best buy out there!

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  I love this little car! - 2000 Honda Civic
  By calisun7 - April 28 - 9:12 pm

  I bought this car new off the lot in 2000 and to this day it has been the BEST purchase I have ever made. She has a few miles on her now, over 100,000, and still runs wonderfully and I have never had a problem. I intend on keeping this car and maintaining it to at least 200,000.

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  From F150 to Ridgeline - 2013 Honda Ridgeline
  By geezoman - April 27 - 6:41 am

  I drove a Ford F150 Lariat for 15 years. When it came time to replace that truck I wanted to downsize a little. I drove all of the smaller pickups in the market and found the Honda Ridgeline to be the right size, 4 wheel capability, smooth riding, relatively quiet, and fully capable for what I need in a pickup. Getting the Honda reliability was a plus. We drove it around town for the first 4K miles and it was a pleasure driving it in an urban setting, easy to park, great for those occasional trips to buy furniture, and good looking enough for date nights. You guessed it, I dont miss my F-150.

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  Great car can be better - 2013 Honda Civic
  By specialist4 - April 25 - 12:52 pm

  Honda did a great job on this Civic. They fixed the inadequatcies that Consumer Reports pointed out. Fit and quality excellent. For those that feel the ride noisy, upgrade to the EX. The noise is from the cheaper tires on the LX. This is true with all the Honda line up. Blue tooth works great, navi and radio excellent. Good ride quality, 36-38 MPG HW at 65-75 mph. Overall 29-31 mpg, even with my wife driving...she only know to accelerate or brake..nothing inbetween. 4 wheel disc brakes stop the car very quickly compare to disc/drum combo. Ive heard some complaints about the seats, I find them very comfortable. The Hyundi elantra has 2 big blind spots, Honda does not.

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  Weve got a stubborn rattle - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By sgilbert - April 25 - 3:32 am

  We wrote a review just after purchase about a year ago and were extremely happy with the CR-V. However, several months ago it developed a rattle inside the rear seat in the headrest supports. They ordered a "part to fix it, but it didnt fix it. Its most irritating, but to fix it will require "opening up" the rear seatback. The opposite side headrest in the same seat does not rattle. I think the headrest support hardware inside the seat may just have some loose screws, but the service manager has been waiting a week for Honda to OK opening up the seat to fix it. If they wont fix it, it leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. The rest of the vehicle is of very nice quality.