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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  WONDERFUL AUTOMOBILE - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Dennis - July 16 - 9:30 am

  It is a wonderful car to drive and it gives my fiance a thrill every time she gets in it and starts it up to drive. She is in sales and it has given her an extra incentive to get up and get going every day to make sales in this terrible world market.

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  Good MPG even doin 75MPH - 2006 Honda Civic
  By L Raine - July 16 - 5:06 am

  We traded off the gas guzzler Expedition for this communter. It handles very well and gets about 36 MPG average on the HWY running 75-80 MPH. The interior is basic but for the price I cant complain. The seats arent as comfortable on long trips, and the trim is plastic for the most part. I am concerned with the drive train in the automatic as it sometimes feels as if there is play in going from off the gas to back on. I figure its under warranty and if it needs service our dealer will take care of us.

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  I love civics! - 2005 Honda Civic
  By John McKelvey - July 16 - 12:36 am

  This car is great! They get great performance out of 115 horses. Gas mileage is great. Lots of legroom even with a car seat in the back. Ill drive this car until it dies. The only thing it needs is power windows and locks with keyless entry.

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  I love my new Honda!! - 2006 Honda Accord
  By Laurie - July 15 - 11:53 pm

  I was very hesitant to purchase a new car after driving my old one for 7 years. It is so nice to get off from work now and get into my wonderful new Honda. I have been very pleased with my purchase.

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  A fun and classy economy car - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Jim L - July 15 - 10:13 pm

  Ive wanted a hybrid for many years, but I didnt think they would be worth the extra expense. I realized that dealers were going to be more flexible due to the economy so I seriously started looking. I looked at a Prius and Civic Hybrid, but both were a bit pricier than I wanted to pay. The Insight seemed like the best value and I really liked the exterior look better too. The fuel economy displays is probably the best distinctive feature of the car and it really helps you save gas. Im still learning, but I am averaging 49 mpg over 8k miles. I use the a/c all the time. The car is extremely quiet under normal conditions, almost too quiet.

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  Not nearly there! - 2005 Honda Accord
  By nosliwffej - July 15 - 8:30 pm

  I do not recommend this car. My expectations have not nearly been met. Highway mileage is great but city mileage has yet to break 20 MPG in suburban Boston. Im certain that will improve after the winter but will be no where near the EPA mileage. The biggest disappointment is the loose steering. As a three car owner, all Hondas, the steering doesnt compare to either the CRV or the Odyssey. This car replaced a German Sports sedan. I wasnt expecting the same drive but I didnt expect to despise HIGHWAY driving. Its not quite as bad as a big 1967Chevy wagon, but its bad. IM considered trading the car in. Drive this on the highway with turns before you seriously consider purchase

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  2016 Honda Accord - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Maheshwar Kurli - July 15 - 7:30 pm

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  2016 Honda Accord - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Maheshwar Kurli - July 15 - 7:30 pm

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  Some bad surprises with an otherwise great car - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Tom - July 15 - 5:33 pm

  Theres a lot to like about the CRV Touring model. But a couple things really surprised me - and not in a good way. I traded in my 10 year old Civic for this new top of the line CRV. I expected - silly me - that this car would have at least as much going for it as s 2006 Civic. Wrong. 1) on my old car, the "voice" icon button allowed me do all sorts of things - including change radio stations by voice command. With the new CRV, if you are in the GPS mode and you want to change to a specific radio station, you have to punch four buttons on different parts of the screen. Very unintuitive and difficult to do while driving. Why couldnt they at least install physical radio station buttons under the screen? You can use the "source" button and scroll through all your stations, but again, that means sometimes pushing 7 or 8 buttons just to change a damn radio station to the one you want. 2) The many (MANY!) setting displays for the dash are mostly superfluous and navigating through them is not easy. And Ive yet to find one that prominently displays you speed -- again, a feature on the 10 year old Civic that worked well. Given that the speedometer is hard to read, there should be some other way to see how fast youre going. 3) The camera on the right side of the car for changing lanes and turning is great. But wouldnt one on the left side be even more useful? Why one on the right but none on the left? 4) The rear window is really hard to see out of, compared to many other comparable crossover makes and models. 5) Finally, I kick myself for not noticing that the storage compartments in the console and doors are teeny. Much smaller than the old Civic, and this is a much larger car. Is it too much to be able to carry a small pack of tissues, a pen, some change, a cell phone and tire gauge in your car?

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  Fun to Drive - 2004 Honda Element
  By Kidsolly - July 15 - 10:00 am

  Had the car for six months. Love to drive it. Taken it on 2000 mi trip. Averaged 25 mpg. A little noisy @75+ mph but it handled great. A little difficult for adults to climb into the the back seat. Seats are tough on comfort on the longer drives. Visibility is great, tight turning radius is a plus. If you have kids, the rear door can be a hassle since you have to open the front door everytime to let them out. Since its on the small side, it turns and parks anywhere. It has just enough power, most of the time theres just two of us in the car and how fast can you go on LA/Orange Co. freeway? The price and financing were right, Id buy one again!