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 Accord is Great - 2000 Honda Accord
  By HOWARDCPA - February 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Honda Accord that I have owned since 1985. Its my first EX and from now on, thats all I will buy is the EX. It is a maual shift, 4- cyl, leather and its a great riding car. I have almost 50,000 miles on it since Dec 30, 1999 and its been absolutely reliable, confortable and economical.

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  Disappointment - 2001 Honda Civic
  By csteer - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought our Civic with high expectations. I love the engine and gearbox. The suspension is comfortable, although not a sporty as I would like. The car is roomy and enjoyable to drive. HOWEVER, the build quality is terrible - From the moment we got the car is needed a new radio, and a clunk in the front suspension still exists after 3 attempts to repair. The front seat has had three attempts at repairing it - the bushings fair after 6 months. Hmmm... what else - oh yes, the window regulator has been replaced, the engine computer reprogrammed to stop the car stalling... Not what I expected from a Honda - I am very disappointed

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  One Fine Automobile - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Eugene G - February 7 - 10:00 am

  My previous Honda was a 1988 Accord LX with 165,000 miles. I looked at other vehicles in the same price range as the 2003 Accord, and found nothing else that came even close. I find myself wanting to take the long way to and from from work, just to drive it. It accelerates quite nicely when entering the highway, and passing is quite easily accomplished. I am sure the mileage will improve a bit once the engine gets past its break-in period, but it is quite good as it is. Drive it once, and you will compare every other vehicle to the 2003 Accord.

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  Nice Car - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Shantanu - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for an everyday car that is quiet, comfortable, good mileage, and stone-cold reliable. I like the outside. It is well done with clean lines.

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  2003 Accord V6 w/Navigation - 2003 Honda Accord
  By cfrench3 - February 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my 4th Accord and they have out domne themselves with this one. It is my first V6 and the power took a bit to get used to. car has everything I could ever ask for in a car. Can not say enough good things about it.

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  Beautiful car - 2004 Honda Accord
  By jfbwdogs - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Very little difference from the 2003 except for the addition of XM satellite radio. A beautiful car with a great ride, and a very good price considering all the bells and whistles. Am very pleased with this purchase and plan to drive this car (our fourth Honda) for a very, very long time.

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  Accord LX - 1992 Honda Accord
  By butterfly - February 7 - 2:14 am

  I have had this Accord since it had 28480 miles on it. It has now 203,700 miles. It has had master cylinder replaced, radiator, power window electronics, and main relay. It currently needs paint it looks terrible!!! It has a small power steering leak and it must have an oil pan gasket leak as it is always wet when I change the oil. Honda so called fixed the PS leak but it reoccured 1 year later and they refused to repair under warranty. That dealership has had a lot of problems over the years. A lot of personnel changes. Honda refuses to acknowledge its defects and Im skeptical about buying another Honda. Im not thrilled with the other offerings out there either. Its been a good car overall.

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  Not bad, not bad at all - 2007 Honda Civic
  By nastynogales - February 7 - 1:36 am

  I may be a little more subjective in my review - I used to drive an S2000 before I bought my Si. I liked the Si cause it had some of the same feel - the steering wheel, the shift knob, the digi gauges. I definitely miss the power - its quick but it can be faster (i wish i could be at 60 mph in second). Fuel consumption is the same as my S2000! I thought Id get better MPG but I dont (it does have a bigger tank). The paint chips easily and I already had to replace the windshield due to a rock hitting it. Handling is impressive - so much so that it is quite comparable to the S2000. I wish this had HIDs!

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  flawed design, unsafe, low quality - 2003 Honda Accord
  By jinrui - February 6 - 9:53 pm

  Since buying this car, I have experienced many problems. First, the LCD screen suddenly became dark for no reason in 2004. The dealer said this is a design defect and replaced it after one month. In 2005, during a regular maintenance in a dealer, we were told the car was leaking transmission oil. Last November, we went to Chicago at noon and parked on a street (a lot of traffic at the time). Coming back in half an hour, we found someone had sneaked into the car and stole all our expensive items. No prizing signs on the doors. Sure, we locked the car before we left. It seems the Honda anti-thief alarm system malfunctioned.

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  Lots of smiles and miles in a Honda Accord Hybrid - 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Bruce Ludwick - February 6 - 4:37 pm

  If you dont like going to gas stations and you like a comfortable cruiser, this is the right vehicle. I drive to Pittsburgh several days a week and bought this car as opposed to a Camry Hybrid because of the better gas mileage. I have not been disappointed. I average 44 MPG on my trips from home into Pittsburgh and that is running at least 70 MPH on the way. Its fun to sit in traffic and see the average MPG go up because of the electric motor. Short trips to and from town are all easily over 50 MPG and if I try to milk it more, I can do much better. My wife and I drove from Morgantown, WV to Chattanooga, TN before we needed to stop for gas. 600 + miles on a tank is the norm. The worst MPG that I have ever gotten was 39 MPG on a tank or two in the dead of winter (mileage is not as good in the winter). The car is very quiet (forget what others say about noise. It is a little noisy when doing a quick acceleration from a stop, but its not a big deal and goes away as soon as you reach cruising speed.) and the car rides very well. The handling could be a little better, but its not bad. There are three sacrifices that you make. One is that the legroom for front seat passengers is a little less than would be expected, two is that the trunk space suffers because of the battery pack, and three is the lack of a spare tire. I had a flat last week and the repair kit didnt work. Honda Roadside Assistance was not too good and I ended up having AAA tow the car back to the dealership where we ordered a replacement tire. I plan on buying a spare and jack and putting them in the trunk. The controls are laid out well and are easy to use, everything is within reach, and the sound system is very good. I have had no problems other than the flat since I bought the car and service has been limited to oil changes (synthetic) and tire rotations. My EX-L does not have Navigation and the car has no transmission (believe me you wont miss it and you can use the B setting for regenerative braking to slow down on long grades), so both of those were rated N/A as was resale value. I would expect it to be very good. I would definitely buy another Accord Hybrid.