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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  Love this car! - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Joanne Yaworsky - January 23 - 3:07 pm

  I had a 2013 Mazda 3 which I loved for the first 2 years (of my 3 year lease), but this last year was ready for something new as it was terrible in the winter as I didnt have snow tires. I was hoping to love the new Mazda CX-3 and while its gotten rave reviews all around, I hate the interior dash design with its center tachometer and popup information center that to me looks like one of those navigation units you plop on the dash yourself. And, it was even smaller than my Mazda 3. I wanted an SUV AWD type vehicle and have looked for the last year. For me, having a sunroof is a necessity, and most cars with them were in at least the $26,000-$28,000 range. I got the Honda HR-V EX AWD without navigation or leather for $24,000...its got everything else. Didnt want to spend the extra money for those features as I can use my iPhone for navigation. Ive only had it a week but absolutely love it. For me, its the perfect fit... size, style, features, price. It is a bit noisier than my Mazda 3 but I expected it to be noisier because of it being a crossover vehicle. Its just under $1,000 more than my Mazda 3 was and has so much more. I had a 2000 Honda Accord EX and 1991 Honda Prelude before the Mazda, so have been happy with Honda purchases in the past. The touch screen is fine with me, was worried it wouldnt be while wearing gloves. I also like that I have 5 options for the color of the dash touchscreen lighting! The console compartment could be bigger.. someone complained about it not fitting CDs, at least it has a CD player. I was told that Jeeps no longer offer them. I use my iPod anyway or bluetooth streaming from my iPhone. I was a little confused on the HondaLink, I wont purchase the cables for $99 since I dont have navigation. Upon researching all the HondaLink apps that you can download, on the Next Generation link, they do tell you that one of the apps available is for navigation for $59.99 off of iTunes. Reading reviews from the App store on it, most people seemed less than satisfied so I will stay with what comes free without the cables or navigation app (which you need the cables for). Bluetooth will suit me fine for music, and Google Maps will suit me fine for navigation. Someone said it didnt have carpeting.. honestly, I never noticed as the car mats cover most of the floor surfaces.. its still a felt type material underneath. Didnt notice what my last car had but mats were substandard compared to these. Im a happy customer! UPDATE: I was asked to update my review and am here to report that Im still a happy customer. Im glad to update this though, as I wanted to comment on the recent news story about bad ratings for headlights on all SUV/Crossover vehicles. I believe that the HR-V was ranked as #1 as the worst, and I was dumbfounded. I found a video on Roadshow Weekly that compared a good headlight experience with a bad one (presumably the HR-V). It showed driving around curves on a dark winding road with no streetlights. A few days after seeing the video, I drove down such a road and had NO problems as outlined in that article. I signed up so that I could comment on my disagreement with their findings. I have found the headlights to be excellent in all conditions, and this is something that could be a deal breaker for someone considering purchasing this car. The only thing I noticed was that I was leaving a friends camp and going uphill on a bumpy dirt road for a short distance, and the headlights were jumping a bit. This is something that would happen with any car. Again, great visibility in all conditions. Great ride, great features, roomy, I will get the same car again when the lease on this expires.

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  Rear brakes - 2008 Honda Accord
  By ml - January 23 - 6:53 am

  Great car but rear brakes went after one year! I called the dealer and they would not cover it. My mechanic could not believe the brakes had to be replaced. He actually bet me money it was not my brakes, he lost!

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  90 Honda Accord EX - 1990 Honda Accord
  By Haha - January 23 - 2:00 am

  It is a very reliable car that I ever have. It is never gives me any major problems. It will run forever if you take care of it.

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  waconja - 1992 Honda Accord
  By waconja - January 23 - 2:00 am

  Have& continue to have great performance w/vehicle. Have had to do only maintainence upkeep.Used owners manual for upkeep of vehicle.At one point the spoiler was stoled by vandals.I had it replaced. Other than that incident I know of no other body work. Vechile has sunroof,cruise control. Normal wear&tear. Car looks & runs great. Owners manual refers to color as taupe. Its good looking.

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  Engine Trouble - 2003 Honda Element
  By Tom Ohio - January 23 - 2:00 am

  I had the car one month and took it back to the dealer for engine noise and was advised it needed a new short block engine. The dealership advised it was 2.5 qts of oil low and threw a rod at 1700 miles. I dont want a car with a rebuit engine.

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  Good valur for money car - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Prashant Bharate - January 23 - 1:41 am

  Car is good a little vibration from engine comes in cabin when idling in signal stops.could hav given few accessories n navigation in price.

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  Got a bad Honda - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Not so Happy - January 22 - 6:56 am

  This is the third Honda I have owned and by far the worst of the three. There has been a problem with fuel injectors going out, I have had the #4 injector replaced twice already. There is a very annoying vibration in the car at highway speeds that the dealer can not correct or identify.

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  No comparison - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Jack - January 22 - 5:06 am

  I have purchased a 2004 Accord EX V6 also and based on my satisfaction with the 04 decided that for the money the 05, which I bought for my wife, was the best choice over all its competitors. From a reliability and resale point of view this car has no comparison. I have been a loyal Honda/Acura driver for many years. After looking at the competition its hard to be convinced theres a better choice. Smooth quiet ride at all speeds. Cruises effortlessly at 80 MPH.

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  I Love This Car - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By rebeljim - January 22 - 4:53 am

  This SUV is so much fun to drive that I hunt all over the neighborhood for someone that needs a ride or to go somewhere, just like I did when I first obtained a drivers license

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  Still great fun a decade later - 1994 Honda Prelude
  By Jeremy Delaney - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car even after celebrating its 10th birthday. I couldnt think of a better car to take through the twisties. The SI or VTEC models are definately the way to go. Shifting is very smooth and accurate, developing the most power in the 3500 rpm range. The steering on this car is razor sharp and with a good set of performance tires you can really rip into those back country roads.