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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  Consumer - 2003 Honda Element
  By nisunflower - April 2 - 2:00 am

  I give my baby hummer a 9.9. It is the best vehicle I have owned. I love the shape, milage, handling, and...just all of it.

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  I Love this mini-van! - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Odyssey, FL - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Compare the Odyssey to the latest mini- vans in the market and it is still the most beautiful and most reliable. I would get another one when I could.

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  Worth the money - 2008 Honda Fit
  By rkvl - April 1 - 10:26 am

  We needed a utility vehicle, and the Fit is really great. The seats that fold up are great for transporting our dog while the seats that fold down really help in carrying larger loads. The fuel economy is great. I drive only short distances to work and school, but it also does really well on the highway. I havent taken it above 65, however. Not sure what it would do at faster speeds. The style is also great. I got a black one, and people really say it is a sharp car. I recommend the Fit highly.

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  Honda Passport - 2002 Honda Passport
  By bchbum03 - April 1 - 2:00 am

  reliable no problems, comfortable and handles well seems to be a good suv

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  Solid and Reliable - 1994 Honda Accord
  By ToyoOwner - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Owned the car for 10 years and bought new. Extremely reliable, have 195k miles and still going with original motor and transmission. Other than maintenance, replaced master cylinder, 1/2 shaft axel, radiator, and muffler. With all of these in the last 5,000 miles. 4 cylinder VTEC is adequate but V6 would solve underpower issue at times. A/C was first under new refrigerant...only area of car that is not properly designed.

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  10 days, 1,000 miles and lovin it - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Honda Convert - March 31 - 11:56 am

  Couldnt be happier with the Accord. I really liked driving a Durango for the past 7 years and the 3 Saturns we have owned have been fine. However, the Accord is the best. It is fun to drive, well built and gets good mileage.

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  A Mid Size Truck Thats Doesnt Feel like a Truck - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By John - March 31 - 8:16 am

  I was looking for a midsize truck but didnt like the idea of rear wheel drive w/ 4WD. The Ridgeline with AWD fit perfectly. I wanted a long bed so not a crew cab. But the Ridgeline crew cab has a lot of storage under the rear seats and a flat floor. The truck bed is also flat. The tail gate opens to the side as well as conventionally. The in bed trunk is huge. The 2017 Ridgeline is a very comfortable SUV with a really big trunk.

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  First SUV, Long time Honda Fan - 2002 Honda Passport
  By CRVFan - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Just recently purchased this Vehicle. The exterior/ interior looks great. The ride is smooth, handles well. I have owned several Hondas and loved them. I wanted a mid size SUV and CRV EX 4AWD seemed like the right choice.

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  Frozen Doors - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Odysseus - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Good first year. The car has not aged well since. Sliding doors freeze shut in the winter and electric motors burn out (both sides). Drivers side sliding door rattles, dealer can/will not fix. Passenger sliding door needs a push when cold. Transmission shifts roughly when cold (high RPMs too), told this was a "feature" by the dealer (yeah, right). OEM tires very noisy. Door speakers rattle, work intermittantly. Brakes grind stopping from low speeds. Good concept, rotten execution. Never again

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  Great Car - 2000 Honda Civic
  By Pete A - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I got this car used 2 years ago, Ive been driving it far distances daily as I go to work and come back, it has great gas mileage. Very fun car to drive, might need a little more horsepower, but overall nice.