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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  Excellent Vehicle-Reminds me of my Acura - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Glenn Deuchler - April 22 - 8:16 am

  We bought this car with the expectations of getting a car that feels good with my bad back, gets good gas mileage, and is reliable. So far, the reliability has been as expected, it is comfortable on my back, and the gas mileage has been pretty good. It feels well-built, and the VCT does work seamlessly as advertised. I appreciate the iPod jack, but it would be nice if it were more conveniently placed, and had more interaction capabilities. I would like to be able to get Bluetooth without buying the nav system. Final issue - the transmission seems to downshift a little rough, especially between 35 - 40 mph. This may get better as the vehicle gets broken in; I only have 1200 miles on it.

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  Elemental Roadster Is Not For Everyone - 2000 Honda S2000
  By JoshuaF - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This convertible is just the ticket if you are really into driving. It has loads of power and an agile chassis designed to let you extract as much fun as possible out of your car. However, if you want a smooth ride with little road feedback, if you want to climb up into the car instead of settling into a cockpit, if you dont know what drop- throttle oversteer is, then you may want to look at a less enthusiast- oriented roadster. The Audi TT comes to mind :).

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  Insight Defines High Performance. - 2000 Honda Insight
  By Dolio - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I have been Driving my Honda Insight for almost a year now. Bought it used at 15K, now at 30K I average about 55 mpg as I am a rather aggressive driver and traffic here in the Seattle area can be quite "parking lotish". The Insight is quite capable of achieving 70 mpg if you are willing to drive the speed limit and keep an eco-minded feather light foot. When talking performance the Insight employs a number of advanced technologies, from the "Integrated Motor Assist" and regen breaking, to the aluminum chassis, and the lowest drag coefficient (.25) of any mass production car.

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  Honda Insight - 2002 Honda Insight
  By Rick Reece - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for over a year and have found it to be both fun to own and drive. It is without a doubt the most interesting and satisfying of any new car that I have ever purchased.

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  New Honda Civic 2005 EX - 2005 Honda Civic
  By christy - April 21 - 6:30 am

  I traded my 04 XLT Explorer for better gas mileage in the Honda.Its a great car for 1-2 med. adults & 1-2 small children.Great for running to the store on short trips.Coming from the room of the Explorer it is a "cute" box on wheels.More than 2 adults and 1-2 small children,you are cramped! Not much leg room in the back seat.Large trunk is great,just dont think you can buy all the same stuff you did if you had a larger vehicle,you will be sorry.This car is not for people with back problems..stick to the ones with the lumbar included.It is a compact car, great gas mileage and realiabilty, fun to drive for 1 person,but for comfort and room, NOPE!Keep a nice SUV for comfort and long trips!!

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  A Classic Si - 1994 Honda Civic
  By BigJim - April 21 - 2:00 am

  The baddest car of all times

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  Performance value - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Jess - April 21 - 1:27 am

  The car is amazing. It still turns heads a year later. In 2015 the Si was the best bang for your buck. 205 horsepower out of a naturally aspirated engine. While other cars in the class can put perform they are forced induction cars, the Si is not. They are also 4 grand more than the Civic Si. Which is the price you would pay for am aftermarket turbo. The interior is really nice, it stands out. At first the red and black seats in a car that is neither red or black, didnt seem to fit, but I wouldnt change them for a different color. The steering is smooth, the shifter is smooth. Lane watch is amazing, more cars should have it. It helps prevent accidents I can see cars that I might have not seen otherwise.

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  Overall Very Solid Vehicle - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Jake427 - April 20 - 8:33 pm

  Purchased Accord Feb 2008 V6 EX Cloth interior. Overall, it has been a very satisfying vehicle. I have 19K miles on it after a year. I really like the power of the V6. Very peppy engine. I have not experienced any mechanical issues thus far. I change the oil and perform the scheduled maintenance. I find the interior comfortable for short and long trips. My wife does say the vehicle is not as comfortable for long trips as other cars weve owned. A couple of downsides. The headlights arent as bright as I would like. This should be fixed. Also, when the passenger windows are down but not the front windows, it creates a very strange frequency that hurts the ears. Overall a very good car.

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  Big Step Up From My 2001 Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Steve - April 20 - 10:40 am

  I traded in my 2001 EX with 55,000 miles for the new 2005 Touring. The old van served me well, but the 2005 is light years ahead. The power,ride,handling,and transmission are all much improved in the next generation. It will be hard to improve on this Odyssey any time soon.

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  Perfect vehicle for me - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By John - April 20 - 7:53 am

  I am a father that coaches his childern in baseball and football, before the ridgeline I had to either worry about leaving the equipment in the back of a poorly secured truck bed or having the often wet equipment in the back of my SUV. I only fully used my truck for hunting trips (again hated to leave my guns in the bed of the truck) and the 4-5 home improvement jobs and 3-4 landscape jobs a year. My SUV had all of the safety features I like and a much better ride. Now I have my safe SUV and truck in one vehicle.