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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  An excellent multi-purpose vehicle - 2014 Honda Ridgeline
  By wiesbadenbob - September 2 - 8:16 am

  Ive had my Ridgeline for about 18 months now. I had one very minor warranty claim, which was handled promptly and courteously by the dealer. This is a great vehicle for the suburbanite who needs to make the occasional Home Depot run, and may need to haul a smaller RV trailer. Ive hauled U-Hauls 6 x 12 trailer fully loaded with no trouble using the factory installed receiver. This is NOT for the manly man who needs a macho truck. Its a great combination of comfort and flexible cargo capacity. The trunk in the bed makes a great cooler for tailgating.

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  Best SUV I have owned. - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By bluewaters94 - August 29 - 8:03 am

  I ended up with my 2012 pilot after a long search for a decently priced SUV that would accommodate 3 car seats across the middle seat because I have triplets and did not want a minivan. I have owned 3 other SUVs and the Pilot, being the 4th, is by far the nicest and most reliable. I have about 27,000 miles on mine and, to date, have not experienced any of the vibration problems others have written about. You get a lot for the money with this car and even better is that it really holds its value. I definitely plan on driving this one into the ground!

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  Bluetooth is horrible! - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By flygirl59 - August 28 - 7:46 pm

  My biggest complaint is with the navigation system, which isnt user friendly and the Bluetooth has horrible reception. I can hear the caller ok, but they always say I sound like Im underwater. Ive had it into service several times and been unable to get it fixed, so I havent even used it in over a year. $3000 upgrade is useless! Ive since discovered the cars with the best Bluetooth our Cadillac and Toyota, then Kia. The transmission has jerked from day one, and I think it would be nice if the back hatch had an automatic button.

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  Love lost - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By retired28 - August 28 - 4:14 pm

  There are a lot of things about this car I love but it has three really poor features that Honda should fix. First, when driving around 90 to 95 kph there is an intermittent, high-pitched whine that can be loud enough to hear over the radio. Honda says its a "characteristic" of the vehicle, although both the salesman and the mechanic admitted to me that its loud enough to drive you crazy on a long trip. Second, I paid about $800 for the navigation system only to find the GPS to be almost useless. I finally added a $150 GPS from Costco to help me find my way. Third, if youre driving a lot in the U.S., take a look at the grayed-out mph markings on the speedometer.

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  If You Have To Buy A Minivan..... - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By scottque - August 27 - 10:14 pm

  We have four kids ages 5-12, and this car just replaced our 2008 Touring. Honda just does a minivan right - this thing is a great kid-hauler. It has slightly more room inside than our 08, yet the van looks lower, sleeker, and less boxy than our old van. Decent acceleration, great turn radius, and quality interior materials. We have yet to hit the EPA mileage in the highway but on our only long trip in it thus far we had a cargo bag on the roof - which probably explains the 23 MPG. Thing drives much smaller than out is.

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  decent first car lasts quite a lot of miles# - 1997 Honda Accord
  By datonechiik - August 25 - 6:16 pm

  I bought this car with 230k miles on it, the engine had already been replaced and I did all the maintenance i could on it at around 260k the power steering went out, at 280 the check engine light came on and auto zone could not help, granted i sold the car

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  Safety Recall of "early-2015" Honda Fits announced August 21, 2014 - 2015 Honda Fit
  By leohenton - August 22 - 11:26 am

  The following hyperlink is to a Edmunds dot com article herein about the announcement on August 21, 2014 of a Safety Recall of "early-2015" Honda Fits. http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2015-honda-fit-modified-to-improve-crash-protection-win-safety-award.html In the near-term I suggest verifying the Vin # for effectivity and incorporation, if applicable of this Safety Recall prior to purchase. If you, like us, already own an early-2015 Honda Fit be on the lookout for official communication via hard-copy letter in September 2014. My full review of earlier impressions of the 2015 Honda Fit is posted elsewhere on this Edmunds dot com column. Really liked it prior to this alert.

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  2008 Honda Accord EX-L 4cyl 5-speed manual - 2008 Honda Accord
  By carlostnc65 - August 21 - 9:39 pm

  I bought this car two years ago used with 71,000 miles. - Avg 25 mpg good for its time and size car. - I have not warmed up to the VTEC engine, all the power up top is great for a performance car, not so great for a family car. The car has three definitive power curves, 1000-3500 rpm for tooling around, 3500-5000 rpm for brisk acceleration like a freeway on ramp, then 5000-7200 rpm for all out pull. For what it is, in that top rev range, it has great power but waiting to get there is tiresome. - The car rides great and its obvious this car is well balanced for the front driver, but get in a curve with uneven pavement and you find the damping to be too soft and the car pitch uncontrol

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  Not perfect, but hoping for reliability - 2013 Honda Civic
  By phillyted - August 19 - 3:56 pm

  I bought this Honda for one reason and one reason only: reliability. So In one year I have manged to clock 28,000 miles and have done nothing to the car outside of normal maintenance, which is great. I have been able to achieve 50 mpg with careful, skilled driving on a one off, fluke of a drive. I can routinely obtain 42 mpg with respectable driving and 33-35 mpg with a heavy foot. The brakes are not the best as I have locked them up a few times without noticing the ABS pulse from the pedal. Also, there is a blind spot from the roof pillar between the windshield and left door that is very annoying on mountain roads. Altogether, a good car and Im happy I bought it.

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  BadTranny - 2003 Honda Accord
  By nikkithediyer - August 12 - 10:52 am

  I bought it used in 2012 with about 181k. That thang was surprisingly fast. Loved taking it out on the highway on trips. It was my 3rd Honda. I drove it from Philly to Atlanta and back. Tranny died at 211k. I drive a lot. I must say, it was low on trans fluid but it was also very very dark. I dont know too much about cars my research suggests there could have been that common issue of the 3rd gear not being lubricated properly and grinding out....or maybe neglect on my part. Either way, I dont have the car. I sold it cheap but really miss it! Wish Id kept it and just replaced trans. I should have noticed the subtle hard downshift from 3rd the 2nd from the beginning...cant win em all.