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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  NEVER AGAIN!!! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By NEVER AGAIN!!! - October 19 - 9:33 am

  I bought the loaded EX-V6 with leather for my wife after much research to replace a 2006 plain-Jane Avalon XL. My wife has been mad at me ever since. The EPA mileage ratings and what the dealer bragged about mileage wise are a joke. Supposed to be 19/29 for the V6 but its been more like 17/23. We now have 15,000 miles and the best that we ever got on a road trip was 24. The brakes have squeaked from early on and after twice having the dealer tell us they couldnt recreate the sound we gave up. Ive owned 5 Toyotas, 3 Infinitis, and 2 Nissans and I would gladly take any of them back over this car. There is a great deal of road noise in the cabin and the seats are very low quality.

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  HOLD THE SEATS! buyer beware. Test drive is not en - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By richard - October 16 - 12:25 pm

  Front seats are terrible. Complained to Honda. they did nothing. I am 5 feet 8", back kills me, and i did not have back problems.

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  A/V and transmission problems - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Kevin Edwards - October 12 - 7:29 pm

  I really love this vehicle, but have had some major issues that are starting to cast a shadow over the reliability of Honda. I feel that they pushed to get this vehicle on the market to fast. There are still major bugs that need to be worked out. My touch screen panel blacked out on me at about 3,000 miles. I also have had the transmission "chirping" problem due to radiator fluid leaking into the internal trans cooler. They replaced the transmission and flushed the coolant system. Was supposed to pick it up after two weeks...then it wouldnt start. Was told that they had to replace the whole push button transmission module. Finally got my car back after 21 days, most of this time was "waiting for parts" which I feel is ridiculous with they way things are overnighted now days.

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  JUNK - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By KIM - October 10 - 10:00 am

  WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND NOISES. HONDA WILL SOON OWN THIS ONE UNDER THE LEMON LAW.

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  Hot and beautiful high performance Civic - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Victor Lam - October 9 - 8:39 am

  Fuel economy is less than 30 combined mpg. Radio volume control is annoying. Fast for turbo!

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  Coldest car I have ever owned - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Peter - October 7 - 11:32 pm

  I live in Chicago, IL. We just started experiencing cold weather. I leave the car parked in my garage overnight, every morning I remote start it and then remote start it again 10 min later. I get in the car, the temperature gauge shows that the engine didnt heat up at all, not even 1 bar after approximately 15 min of running. The problem with this is that the car also doesnt blow hot air until the engine is heated up. I literally drove the car for 10 miles when the outside temperature was -2 F and it still didnt heat up the vehicle. I have heated seats and they do help but not enough, I hate the fact that I bought a AWD car for the winter and my main problems with it are happening during the winter. Absolutely the slowest heating car I have ever owned and if I had known that I would have never bought it. Other problems that I have experienced are with the cars entertainment system, it needs a software update. Very slow and laggy. fuel consumption is bad for me, I only get 23.2 mpg. I wish I could return the car now and get something else. Unfortunately I will be stuck with it for at least another 2.5 years until my lease is up.

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  Did I make a mistake buying this van? - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Partha - October 5 - 2:40 pm

  My 2007 Honda Odyssey with 8,000 miles started taking my sleep away. Within a month of buying this van, transmission of sound from DVD system to wireless earphones failed, for which internal wiring had to be replaced and rewired. Within a week from this incident, DVD system started malfunctioning and it was replaced. Soon after this the CD/radio was replaced to cure a fault. Next was a passenger seat in the middle row which was jamming; it was replaced too. Front wipers were waiting to break next. My van is with the dealer now to fix them. I wonder if anything in the van will remain as a factory installed equipment at the end of three-year / 36,000 miles warranty.

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  It looks good, but thats it - 2009 Honda Accord
  By abray006 - October 3 - 3:50 am

  I bought this car back in March and got a heck of a deal, but I have been very disappointed by the quality, noise, and most of all the VCM technology. This car looks awesome from the outside and has decent interior, but Honda needs to go back to a simple engine and have a 6 speed automatic for fuel economy. The VCM is constantly hunting and car jerks when its coming to a stop. The automatic transmission cant keep up with a sporty drive and the handling is to tight for my taste. I was sold on looks and should have gotten into a more solid all around car.

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  try before you buy - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By dinosaur - October 1 - 10:00 am

  On paper an excellent choice; reasonable prices, outstanding reliability, high resale. I find the driving position very poor. Front leg room is VERY tight for anyone of average height. Front seats are very hard and flat;the worst Ive had on a new vehicle. Engine and transmission are very smooth and quick. Car is built very well, no squeaks or rattles. Incredible number of storage bins. Ride quality is quite rough; youll feel every tar strip and expansion joint; does improve somewhat with more passengers. Road noise is very high and the sound of a hard rain on the roof is incredibly loud. Body roll is pronounced. Overall, not fun to drive

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  Disappointing, really! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Don - September 28 - 1:23 pm

  I expected much more out of this car based on the many reviews I read; they all seemed to ignore actual performance under real world conditions. Cornering is good but comfort doesnt approach the Elantra and the engine needs heavy-revvin. Reliability has been very disappointing with six trips to the dealer and various repairs.