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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  Very good family hauler - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By lscico - August 23 - 1:26 am

  Bought to replace Toyota sienna. Owned two of those over 8 years. Never again. Bought for my wife but I use when taking older kids to games, trips etc. For long trips its excellent. Great visibility, very comfortable. A bit of road noise. Good power. MPG is good, considering. Ive characterized it pretty good over several trips. From Boston to central NY got 23-26 mpg @ ~75mph depending on weather, traffic. If I drop speed to 65 mph I get 27-28. Driving around NE I keep it at 60 and Consistently get high 20s. Around city its more like 19, if Im careful and 17-18 if not. My wife pays no attention to mpg and she averages 19 mpg over 3000 miles long term mostly city, some highway

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  Brake issues - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By ny99 - August 22 - 10:34 pm

  We just reached 16,000 miles on our 2011 Odyssey and I have mixed feelings. The modern conveniences such as the XM radio, rear view camera, heated seats, and hands free phone are nice. It has smooth, quiet acceleration and handles much better than our 2006 Sienna did. The interior is well designed and it proved to be comfortable on a recent trip from NY to Florida. However, the front brake rotors have had issues and recently had to be resurfaced by the dealer. This isnt the first time Ive experienced brake problems with a Honda vehicle, but it may be the last. The Sienna we traded in for this vehicle had 96,000 miles on it and never had any rotor issues. Fix the brakes Honda!!!

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  Another fantastic Civic - 2011 Honda Civic
  By fronteeer - August 22 - 9:34 pm

  This is my third Honda Civic. Its actually a Canadian SE model, which is essentially an Si Sedan with a standard black interior and 1.8L SOHC VTEC engine. It came with standard 16" 5-spoke alloys, sunroof, chrome exhaust finisher and iPod interface. My 1996 and 2004 were both fantastic cars, and the 2011 is no exception. Its bigger, roomier, more comfortable, quieter and more refined, upscale and attractive looking.

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  great drive, huge space, good deal - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By zimboy - August 22 - 5:15 pm

  had several hondas in my time so I expect great quality and got it. the Pilot has great space and features and is a sporty drive with excellent handling. i found out it shares the same platform as the Acura MDX and its no surprise. looks chunky and big on the outside, incredible space inside and drives like a crossover. some great technology which the dealers never seem to highlight like drive-by-wire accelerator, the 3-4 cyclinder shut-off for economy, tri-zone a/c etc. got the EX at invoice - $1250 after starting out looking at the CRV, the Pilot is so much more for a few extra $s.

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  Outstanding 03 Accord - 2003 Honda Accord
  By movinwest - August 21 - 7:24 pm

  I owned a new 03 accord lx with a manual transmission. I purchased the car instead of a nissan z or an audi a4 as I thought I would be practical for once. During 200,000 trouble free miles the car won me over with a combination of enjoyable driving dynamics, all around practicality and reliability. The only repairs other than brake pads and two batteries, was an oxygen sensor which needed replacement costing a little over $100. The build quality is certainly a high point for this car as it seemed as solid at 200k as when it was new. The mileage was tremendous as on one trip I got up to 36 mpg on the highway. A tremendous value.

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  Another Winner from Honda - 2011 Honda Accord
  By bdazzled - August 21 - 4:04 pm

  I traded in a 09 Civic Sedan for the 2011 Accord LX-P. What a ride! Drives like a dream. All features are right there in front of you, easy/user friendly. I cant believe the engine is only a 4-cylinder for such a big car. This car has spunk. Why others have said the seats are uncomfortable, is beyond me. With the 8-position power seats & the Telescoping steering wheel-I was able to meld myself to the seat perfectly. Like sitting on my sofa at home. So far, this car has been perfect. I hope to Update this review in the Spring after our Winter here in the N.E. Thats a true test for any car.

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  fan of the Fit - 2009 Honda Fit
  By jtimotheus - August 20 - 5:30 pm

  My wife researched vehicles for two years before trading in her 01 Durango for the Fit Sport, and likes it better than any car shes had. Fuel economy is great-avg. 36 btw. TX and Vegas, driving 80-85. Rides fine, walks a bit. Better in town than hwy, only complaint-hard to get blonde hair out of upholstery. Took it camping, and were able to fit all our gear in it. Fun to drive, but Ive had to fix the front panel several times because she keeps backing over the curb on her way out of the driveway. Wish it had true intermittent wipers, but great sound system.

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  Easier Than Legos - 1995 Honda Accord
  By jdmaccord24 - August 20 - 3:05 am

  This 95 Accord EX automatic is simply amazing. With only 130k, the engine (f22b1 VTEC) pushes like itz at 40k. Transmission be slipping, but futher review of the fluid whoever owned it previously did not follow the manual and keep Hondas ATF z1 fluid (which is the only fluid you can put in a honda transmisson for it to act properly) (not any at yor local auto store). After fixing that problem, and dropping about $1200 into some much need tuning (rotors, calipers, drive axles, water pump, starter, alternator, sensors, radiator and battery), it was totally a brand new car running smooth like it was built today.

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  04 Honda Odyessy - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By jason04 - August 19 - 6:20 pm

  I had a 2004 Hoda Odyessy that I bought from Gilman Honda brand new. I had multiple electical issues, too many to even list, they misdiagnosed multiple issues, charged me $800 to replace my starter but the last straw was when the transmission went out not once, but twice. They replaced it the first time under the extended warranty at 45,000 miles, then it went out again 4 years later with 99000 miles. I explained that I thought Honda was a repiltable company that would stand behind there product...I sure was mistaken.

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  Before You Buy, You Might Want To Read On!!! - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By trron9 - August 19 - 2:26 pm

  Ive had my 2011 Ody for 4 months, mileage 10, 052 miles, this has truely been a Love/ Hate Relationship! You see my vehicle has been to the Service Department for various reasons more times than I care to remember, when you start to know your Service Advisors on a 1st name basis something is truely wrong! 1st I had multiple issues with the bluetooth requiring replacement of the Hands Free Module, requiring multiple trips before it was resolved, also Im a big man, the seat trim repeatedly continues to break as its held together by plastic clips a poor design, everone that buys a minivan is not going to be a 100lb Soccer Mom, Now Ive developed a creaky sound in the front of the vehicle!!!