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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  The Honda bulletproof liability falls short - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Floyd B - July 20 - 11:39 am

  I did buy this vehicle used from a honda dealership. I was not aware of the transmission issues this car had until well after the 30 day warranty expired. When I bought the car, it mileage was approaching 139k. Now, heres my dilemma. I have a 1998 Acura Integra with well over 370000 mile and not yet have I ever had a transmission issue. Accord because I would have to be a car. I was really hoping for the same reliability. That did not happen. After doing some research, found that between 1998 - 2002 that this vehicle have transmission issues. Im not blaming the vehicle or any of the previous owners for the issues. Nor am I blaming the manufacturer because I should have follow my instincts and garden a 5-speed manual transmission rather then the automatic. So thats my bad other than that the car was amazing. For a car of its age in mileage, the ride quality was really good. Very easy and after the shift into 3rd gear, very fun to drive. If Im honest, I would not have traded this car in for the current car I have now (2009 Subaru Tribeca/ Ive written a review on this car as well) if the transmission wasnt failing.

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  Seats Headrests are uncomfortable - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Joe - July 19 - 9:30 pm

  We have owned many Hondas and so I trusted this one to be up to par. Not as powerful as is claimed. Not as good of gas mileage. This vehicle is noisy. The worst part is the headrests, which Honda is proud of. They lean forward and do not allow you to lean your head back or straight up. The curvature of the seat is slouchy. Overall very dissatisfied and wondering how to get out of my lease.

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  PROBLEMS - 2003 Honda Accord
  By D MAN - July 19 - 10:00 am

  A LOT OF PROBLEMS

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  Transmission done at 56k - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Miffed - July 17 - 4:43 am

  The car is a safe car. I have been hit in it twice, first time with $10k worth of damage. Thats where it ends. The front bucket seats start to sag. Lumbar support doesnt help. Now my back hurts. The car has no headroom, Im 60" and my head touches the ceiling once im in a comfortable position. back seat is utterly useless. I know its a coupe, but it has NO ROOM. Oh yeah, at 56k miles, my transmission went. I dont race the car, use it mainly on the highway, never any heard accelerations, but the AT went out. Honda has done NOTHING to help me. Im out of the 3/36000 limited warranty, and they wont do a thing. Seriously doubt if a Honda is as reliable as they say

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  Unhappy Honda Owner - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Lori - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Where do I start? There is a surge in vehicle when you drive when it switches back and forth from 6CL to 3CL (which is constantly). The brakes have squeaked from almost day one. My dealership told me 1st I was braking too hard, then I was braking too soft and then it was because of the gravel road I had to drive on to get to my house (about 50 yards). Its funny I never had that problem with my Toyotas. Now they are telling me that Honda acknowledges a problem with the brakes but now we have to wait for a service bulletin to be released. In the meantime I am making a monthly payment on a car that is embarrassing to drive. I will never buy Honda again!!! Oh yea, and the road noise...

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  2007 Honda Odyssey Touring - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By pc-va - June 29 - 12:56 am

  Hesitation/slight bucking at most speeds as if the engine is misfiring or transmission is slipping, harsh downshifting, excessive wind/exterior noise in the cabin, lurching forward while stopped with foot on the brake, rough ride. Navigation system is almost useless unless the address is known. Some keys on keypad dont respond. Try using the place/name feature and it is almost a guarantee the system cant find the place/name you are looking for (e.g. Wal-Mart, Costco), certainly not the nearest one. Instead the system displays places hundreds or thousands of miles away from your current location. My $500 Garmin portable NAV runs circles around the $2000 Honda NAV system.

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  Do Not Buy This Car!!!!! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Lily - June 27 - 9:04 pm

  I have only owned 5 cars in my life and I am now 50 Years old. My first car was a Honda Prelude, then a Honda Station Wagon, and two Honda mini Vans to follow. The 2016 Pilot is my 5th car. I am a Honda advocate and normally one of their biggest supporters but the new Pilot has disappointed me immensely and the dealerships ability to help as well. I have now owned the car for 6 months and have been plagued with issues that no one can solve from day one. The first issue is the radio. Regardless of whether I am listening to XM or local radio, periodically a crackling sound will occur and the only thing that will make it go away is turning the car off and then restarting it. This however does not always work. I have even driven the car to the dealership (making me very late to work) to prove to the dealership that this irritating crackling noise does exist. The technicians listened to the noise and tried to determine the source but were unable to give me a definitive answer/solution. I have since been back three times and still no results. I now have the pleasure of listening to music with a loud crackling noise in the background. The second and more serious issue is the acceleration problem. This to me is extremely dangerous and an issue Honda needs to address ASAP, as other owners have also mentioned this problem. it doesnt matter if the car is in the ECO mode or regular mode, when you are at a stop sign or light and go to accelerate there is a distinct delay and abrupt jarring that follows. It is very dangerous because you assume when trying to pull out into a busy intersection that your car will move quickly to avoid getting hit. This however is not the case because your acceleration is delayed and frequently panic ensues because you worry if you can get out of the way in time. Again, I have brought the car into the dealership three times and they tell me the computers have been reprogrammed. The issue has not improved or been corrected. I have now been told to go back to American Honda Motor Company to see what can be done. I am now in the process of seeing what my options are because I do not feel safe driving a car that does not accelerate properly. The third issue is the same as another writer who wrote a review about the Auto Idle Stop is also a problem and will only work sporadically. If you think Im the only one you better go on line and research the acceleration problems and Hondas denial that they have a problem. Getting ready for battle and hope you dont make the same mistake I made. Its a shame that after 35 years of being a loyal customer they have lost my business.

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  Transmission Problems immediately and terrible A/C - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Tammy Campbell - June 25 - 4:53 am

  My 2016 Honda Pilot has 2600 miles on it and it feels and sounds like it is about to break down. The gears jerk when traveling around town, and a loud grinding noise occurs during acceleration along with jerking. I live in Florida, and my last vehicle was the Honda Oddysey that had poor A/C, and this new Honda Pilot is even worse. I prefer an A/C setting at home of 76 and my Pilot cant seem to get that low in my car when the outside temp is above the mid to high 80s. I have owned the car for 6 weeks, and I am not happy. I dont recommend this vehicle unless you are a mechanic who lives in a fairly cold climate.

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  2009 honda civic Lx 4 dr.sedan ,1.8L 4cy - 2009 Honda Civic
  By honda civic - June 23 - 5:46 am

  I have owned my civic for 2 weeks. I did not test drive the car. I wish I did. I dont like the braking takes too long to stop. The wind takes the car. I had a 2002 civic, I loved it. I just turned in my accord. I am so sorry I didnt get another one. I am stuck with it for 3 yrs. lease.

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  2015 Honda CRV transmission issue - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By autoshopping15 - June 22 - 11:03 pm

  We did an thorough research of small SUVs before buying the 2015 Honda CRV. Test drove it at two different dealerships. We did not test drive the one purchased (salesman said the one delivered would drive the same). The 2015 Honda CRV we purchased shudders significantly when accelerating. It makes for a rough ride and will impact resale. It is now in the Honda service department. They said: 1) There is a transmission problem the 2015 CRVs. Honda is aware but doesnt have a fix. 2) They did mentioned a software “Patch” yesterday but retracted that comment today. 3) They dont know what else to tell me. The transmission problem is an unacceptable material defect.