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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  Disappointed - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Cindy - February 23 - 10:31 am

  Ive now owned my Honda Pilot for 10 months and logged 20,000 miles both in town and on trips. Im finally giving up and turning it in. My major complaint is comfort...my 62" husband and two pre-teen sons feel like sardines on trips. At 510", I can barely stand sitting in the second row seat. My second complaint is gas mileage. Despite a 17/22 rating, Im lucky if we get 18 on trips...initially we were getting 15 in town. When I returned to the dealership they said the mileage would improve after the first 10,000 miles. It has improved slightly, but still nowhere near the stated rating. This SUV is fine for the driver and front seat passenger, but is not a good family trip car!

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  Keeping It - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By orig-owner - February 23 - 12:43 am

  We bought this vehicle new and are not giving it up! It is the perfect size for us and our two young kids, and will only get a little roomier as the kids get older (and their car seats are no longer needed.) It is the ideal blend of size, AWD performance and mileage neither of us wanted a road hog gas guzzler. It has served us very well on 3 summers of consecutive vacation "road trips" across the U.S. Great car, great value (well under average price for cars), and Honda reliability.

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  Great Car but.... - 2016 Honda Civic
  By BryG - February 22 - 11:56 pm

  So I went with the EX 2.0 sensing. Part of the reason was the 16in rim size allows for a little more tire which provides a softer ride especially on awful NY roads. This is my third Civic after an 09 and 14. It rides better and quieter than both. Unless you are comparing it to a Buick, Id say it rides great and is comfortable for its class. The 2 liter has good power but almost has that laggy feeling sometimes making me wish I went with the turbo. Im not a huge fan of the CVT but it works leaps and bounds better of the old 5 speed automatics. Normally I go with the manual but you cant get the EX Sensing in manual and I wanted to try that tech out. The adaptive cruise control is awesome! Im always behind drivers that cant decide how fast they want to go and adaptive cruise takes care of that. The lane keep assist is very cool and works best on state highways or Interstates as long as the lines are fairly visible. And its just awesome watching the car steer it self, keep a finger on the wheel and your pretty much good to go. It will get mad if you let go of the wheel for a few seconds. Very roomy interior, Im 61 and its fine and I can sit behind my normal driver position fairly comfortable as well. The gauges are awesome. The overall layout makes you feel like youre in a more expensive car. Now for the bad, the stereo! The connectivity to my Iphone almost always needs to be redone in some way, unplugging and plugging back in, it will just switch sources on me like from Pandora to Apple Music usually right when I get out of the driveway. Maybe Bluetooth will connect, maybe It wont? And lately the screen has been turning off on me for a few seconds here and there. Sound quality is ok at best. They should really offer a stereo upgrade for all trim levels like to a JBL or something as It is not east to upgrade modern car stereos yourself. So I give the stereo situation an F, it fails big time. Being someone who likes music, that is enough for me to start looking at other brands. That being said, I do enjoy the car very much. I lease, and can say Honda has had great Leases so far, saving you thousands of dollars especially if you are a new every 3 person it is the only way to go.

• 

  Great Car but.... - 2016 Honda Civic
  By BryG - February 22 - 11:56 pm

  So I went with the EX 2.0 sensing. Part of the reason was the 16in rim size allows for a little more tire which provides a softer ride especially on awful NY roads. This is my third Civic after an 09 and 14. It rides better and quieter than both. Unless you are comparing it to a Buick, Id say it rides great and is comfortable for its class. The 2 liter has good power but almost has that laggy feeling sometimes making me wish I went with the turbo. Im not a huge fan of the CVT but it works leaps and bounds better of the old 5 speed automatics. Normally I go with the manual but you cant get the EX Sensing in manual and I wanted to try that tech out. The adaptive cruise control is awesome! Im always behind drivers that cant decide how fast they want to go and adaptive cruise takes care of that. The lane keep assist is very cool and works best on state highways or Interstates as long as the lines are fairly visible. And its just awesome watching the car steer it self, keep a finger on the wheel and your pretty much good to go. It will get mad if you let go of the wheel for a few seconds. Very roomy interior, Im 61 and its fine and I can sit behind my normal driver position fairly comfortable as well. The gauges are awesome. The overall layout makes you feel like youre in a more expensive car. Now for the bad, the stereo! The connectivity to my Iphone almost always needs to be redone in some way, unplugging and plugging back in, it will just switch sources on me like from Pandora to Apple Music usually right when I get out of the driveway. Maybe Bluetooth will connect, maybe It wont? And lately the screen has been turning off on me for a few seconds here and there. Sound quality is ok at best. They should really offer a stereo upgrade for all trim levels like to a JBL or something as It is not east to upgrade modern car stereos yourself. So I give the stereo situation an F, it fails big time. Being someone who likes music, that is enough for me to start looking at other brands. That being said, I do enjoy the car very much. I lease, and can say Honda has had great Leases so far, saving you thousands of dollars especially if you are a new every 3 person it is the only way to go.

• 

  Love my Honda - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Tori - February 22 - 7:18 pm

  I just bought a 2001 honda accord with 70k miles on it. Best car I have ever bought. Fun to drive. Easy to hook up for teens. Looks nice, and very spacious. It seems the manual hondas are better. Had a 97 honda civic automatic transmission. The car was used but after i bought it the transmission went up on me with 20k miles. I love my honda accord and wouldnt trade it for anything else.

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  We Love Our Odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By CheriDiann - February 22 - 6:06 pm

  We have had our Odyssey for a year and its been great! So fun to drive, good mileage, great turning radius, great performance. It is so reliable.

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  Cant go wrong. - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Jimmy - February 22 - 5:36 pm

  This is my 4th Accord and I wont be turning my back on Honda anytime soon. I love everything about but the touchy brakes and the speakers could have better sound quality. (for factory its pretty good though) I love the mileage, averaging 30 mpg city/highway. The engine has plenty of power for a 4 cylinder and its very quiet as well. No nasty noises coming from under the hood. Interior build/materials is great too.

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  2014 Honda Accord Sport Issues - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Mcon78666 - February 22 - 1:37 pm

  I have had my 2014 Honda Accord Sport for 3 years now. The rear tires (Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS) starting cupping/wearing out unevenly at 30,000. Honda wouldnt cover under Warranty. Bought all new tires, same brand and type. Made sure to get an alignment done and rotate them with every oil change and/or every 4,000 miles. One year later with only 23,000 miles the tires are cupping again. I have heard multiple people complain about the rear tires prematurely wearing out. Had to buy all new tires again. This time I did not buy the Bridgestone Potenza tires. I went with a more family tire with more thickness and not the sporty look tires. They are called Bridgestone DriveGuard tires. Waiting on the Service Manager at Honda to call me back because I think it has something to do with either the shocks, suspension, shruts and or the wheel bearings. I have noticed that my car doesnt take bumps on the road well, even the slightest bumps. Thats why I think its the car and not exactly the tires.

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  Great Vehicle at a Reasonable Price - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By freelanceinsa - February 21 - 6:06 pm

  I bought my graphite pearl CRV three months ago after months of investigation and test drives of all small SUVs in this category. Ninety days after purchase, I believe I made the right choice. As a former owner of a Chevy Silverado pickup, I had an adjustment period in the shorter wheelbase vehicle--ride a bit choppy and tire noise more intrusive, especially on coarse pavement. But I liked the much improved fuel mileage-- about 22 in town (I drive very conservatively.) and 26--27 on the highway at a steady 65 mph. Handling is tight, steering a bit heavy, fit and finish exceptional, seating firm but comfortable, controls smoothe and intuitive. Of course, ita a Honda, so it will last!

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  My 3rd Honda - Love it! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Scott n Buffalo - February 21 - 12:06 pm

  After a brief break driving a PT Cruiser for 36 painful months I returned happily to Honda. It took one test drive and I forgot all about the Passat and Legacy I was comparing it to. The car is equipped just how I wanted (5-speed w/leather) and is less appliance like then my 02 Accord SE.