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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  All round great - 1995 Honda Civic
  By vj - January 23 - 8:51 pm

  My brother gave me his old 95 Honda and I really like this car and will be sad when it finally bites the dust. Has over 300,000 kms and the only problem is occasional over-heating, which Ive narrowed down to slight cracks in the head causing coolant leaks - I think. The body rusts around the rear wheel-wells too, due to all the road salt in winter here. Cornering is fun, the manual steering enjoyable and absorbs you in the joy of piloting (apparently there is no such thing as manual steering in a car anymore - a pity). I used to ride my motorbike and this car feels closer to that than most other cars. A manual civic is a simple efficient fun-car.

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  Good reliable car - 1996 Honda Civic
  By bnguy15 - January 23 - 2:50 pm

  I have the midori green hatchback dx model. The car isnt fast by any means but its really reliable. I like the storage capacity of the hatchback. Its a simple car and because of that simple maintenance will keep this car running for a very long time.

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  HR-V needs to grow - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By David Shields - January 23 - 12:58 pm

  If youre more than average-size this vehicle is not for you. I did enjoy every aspect of the the car as far as performance, look and technology. The space for even the driver is on the smaller side and my wife who has long legs felt that her knees were practically in her face. love it but needs more room. (Felt the same about the CR-V, also.

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  Please give me a 6th gear!! - 2005 Honda Element
  By Copywrites - January 23 - 11:45 am

  If you like the sound of a high-revving engine, you will love the Element. If you like good gas economy, you will hate the Element. After 3 years of ownership, it is a love-hate relationship. I love the versatility - I can carry almost anything from bicycles inside the cargo area, to washing machines. But the high pitch whining of the engine drives me crazy knowing that a 6th gear or revised gearing would probably deliver me an extra 4-5 MPG. It has been one of my most favorite vehicles to own, but I wont buy another unless it breaks the 30 mpg barrier. Next car will be a Nissan Cube - similar quirkiness and functionality, good gas mileage. That is the magic combination in my opinion

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  First 3,000 miles - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Phil Scudder - January 23 - 1:53 am

  I bought this truck for sales and travel purposes with storage. I travel all over the USA representing a line construction tools. For years I used a Dodge Caravan with mixed feelings about having my euipment inside with me and the passengers. I thought the Ridgeline would be perfect for what I do. Living in Colorado I wouldnt think of the Ridgeline for serious off road purposes. There are too many very good trucks and SUVs for this. But if you consider the Ridgeline for light industrial usage and having to get to worksites and traveling long distances for a living, this is it! My gas mileage so far just under 20 mph on the hiway. 17 mph in town.

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  Great cheap used car - 1991 Honda Civic
  By LmSpencr - January 22 - 10:44 pm

  I have used this car strictly as a route vehicle, averaging 170 miles a day. Given its age and miles (219k), this is an amazing car. There are now some leaks that need attending to, but the car is amazingly dependable and the performance is fantastic. I average more than 35 mpg in mixed driving.

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  my honda experience - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By roger pyles - January 21 - 6:56 am

  traded a explorer for honda pilot cell phone plug and rear cooler will not work with switch off tires throw mud all oversides of vehicle audio sound very poor also needs good antenna poor reception door locking system locks you out sometimes courtisy light goes out to fast dont give you time to get house door open windshield washer resevior to small spare tire should be standard size steering noise in turns location of light switch wrong place haedlight bulbs on low beam are to low and makes driving dangerous you can not see far enough in front of you .you can be on a deer or person or animal before you know it low beam you are overdriving your lights over all i am not impressed with pilot

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  Just OK - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Soccerizer - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Good looks inside and out but only 25mpg mixed hwy/city with light touch on gas. Engine not that smooth and too much wind and road noise on fwy, so I have to crank up the radio to hear it. Be sure to test drive before you buy. I didnt. Based my decision primarily on reviews from this web site.

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  Odyssey not meeting expectations - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By HONDABMWOWNR - January 19 - 7:29 pm

  While this is often rated the best minivan, I have found some critiques that are real. First, the pulley on the crankshaft cracked at 22k miles. We also have been having funny shifting patterns at 1500rpm and 35-45mph that the dealer claims is normal Grade-Logic - nevertheless it sure is not smooth despite 2 attempts for them to evaluate. Too bad since I waited to buy this 2007 model when Honda secretly changed the transmission without telling customers (since the older one was failing also). The ride is noisier on the highway than we hoped. Wish mileage was better than the 17-18 we average. Its big and you can feel it twist and hear rattles in the doors over bumps. I expected more.

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  Not what I thought either - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Rob - January 19 - 1:40 pm

  When youre researching a car, its easy just to go off of the reviews without actually asking yourself what you want. I research for months before buying this car, after a while I got HONDAITIS, a condition where you start to believe that HONDAs are holier than thou. I pictured myself happily driving it for 10 years. Once I owned it, I knew that it would be a boring 10 years. After a month I got tired of the bland grey interior. The transmission shifted great, but the engine was weak. Remember an I-VTEC Honda 4-cyl is still only a 4-cyl. I bought a 2000 Grand Am V-6 for a work car a few months after the Accord. My wife started driving it and made me drive the Honda, that says it all.