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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  build quality problems - 2003 Honda Accord
  By ottawa-honda-guy - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Concerned about several workmanship issues with the new 2003 accords.. i have a sunroof that leeks badly.. lumbar support that roke first thing.. mud guards that came of... its also hard to start in the winter and severl little workmanship issues .. while they are relatively minor.. it is not acceptable for $40,000 Cdn price tag.

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  I love it! - 2003 Honda Accord
  By MB4 - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Had my 03 Accord Coupe for 3 days and I love it! Drives like a dream. The 5-speed automatic is new to me Im a die-hard manual user, I dont even miss it! CR stated that the radio and heat controls are not easy to use, who were they talking about? The radio screen is easily read when driving. I do miss the door lock button from my old (01) Civic and the sunroof. The front seats have a lip on the inside edge, a little uncomfortable for one with an ample derriere(sp?). I wish the foglights didnt cost $408. Very sporty looking, great driving, couldnt ask for any thing more. Dealership treated SWF with respect and courtesy.

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  Dangerous Brakes - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Phill - October 20 - 12:00 am

  Our brakes have had issues and at 24K miles the pads and rotors need to be replaced. This is a known issue that Honda has not addressed. This is my second Honda accord and it will be the last HONDA purchase.

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  Now 14,000 miles - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By kee choi - October 18 - 2:00 am

  After 14,000 miles and 10 months I think it rides a little better than the first few months. Still very responsive, handles well and very stable at high speeds even near 100 mph.The engine & transmission are smooth and with a slight braiking in downhill, I feel some engine braking automatically engages in. Had a chance to drive almost new dodge grand caravan. The ride was superior to that of honda though the engine wasnt as smooth as honda.The transmission was about the same. Overall I noticed that the Grand caravan was easier to drive than honda. The Sienna has a better ride than honda but not as responsive or stable as Honda.

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  DO NOT BUY (unless you like a vibrating gas pedal) - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Rocco - October 17 - 10:57 pm

  Worst powertrain design ever. At 1800 rpm, VCM kicks on and makes the accelerator and cabin vibrate. Its dreadful. I test drove two and both had same issue. Left a deposit on one and had phenomenal deal but just hated the VCM vibration. Car goes from 3 cyl to 6 cyl and back all the time and not just at highway speeds. We own an 11 V6 and do not have these issues. The 9th gen V6 automatics are royally screwed. Read the reviews. Owners are complaining and some have tried to lemon law. Consumer Reports also does NOT recommend the 2013 V6. Take their advice and save yourself reliability issues down the road. Its a bad design. Honda takes no accountability.

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  Healed itself - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Larry - October 17 - 10:46 pm

  Had many issues with VCM - irritating nauseating in and out of 6-4-3 modes so noticeable that it made my wife/passenger ill. At about 3000 miles it all went away and the car is now a pleasure. There seem to be so many components that enter into the VCM that performance can vary WIDELY from car to car. I read about the former BMW owner getting 20 MPG 50/50 hwy and city. Well, I dont know how they drive but I am pretty aggressive and the worst I have gotten is 24 combined and I regularly get 30 in the highway at 75 with A/C on!

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  Second one!! - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Shehz Ali - October 17 - 4:52 pm

  No contest in buying our second one.

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  OK Car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Jake - October 17 - 4:26 pm

  This car could use more room in the back seat. Th front seats have a ton of room. The furl economy could be better. The acceleration is extremely slow. The driver side window is out of line after only 2 years. That is our first repair. This car has a narrow trunk space.

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  will be looking for something else - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Disappointed - October 17 - 2:49 am

  Bought 2015 CR-V(EX) this past October. Now has about 7k miles on it. Have to admit I am disappointed. Feel scrunched in front seat. Im 6ft tall. This car is made for those 58" or less. Had to tilt the back of seat back a little to create a little more room. The problem when you do this is you cannot fold down the back seat due to hitting the back of the front seat. The levers under the stearing wheel( lights and wipers) are not lit up. Cant see at night. The AWD system is my biggest complaint. The vehicle chooses when to place the vehicle in AWD. This was an issue when purchasing but like a fool I listened to the salesman. You never know when the car is in AWD. There is no indicator. The owners manual has one sentence about AWD. I want to know when Im in AWD. I would think the driver knowing that could be kinda important. How do I know if there really is an AWD system? My driveway has a minor hill. Last fall with some freezing rain the front wheels spun barely making it up the hill. No help from the AWD. The car does have a very minor vibration when ideling at stop sign. Plus, when purchasing(October) I asked the salesman when the 2016s were coming out. He stated in the spring. Two weeks later there were 16s on the lot. Mileage is good. 33-36 on highway per computer.

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  Hondas Pride shaped into reality - 2004 Honda S2000
  By T. S. - October 17 - 2:00 am

  A car designed without any compromise to realize the Honda/Mugen spirit, as commented by Honda Japan employee. Some people complain about its low torque in the low~mid RPM, but only people that doesnt know how to drive a high-RPM engine car would make a stupid comment like that. (Thus only the U.S. S2000 was given a bore up to 2.2L in 2004) Honda engines are designed to be REVd high. Very high frame rigidity despite it being a convertible, giving it great handling.