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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  A Good Car to Own - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Good Pick! - October 9 - 5:24 am

  My Wife and I made a decision when we discovered another child was on the way, that we should get the family a new car. We sold our 2001 Hyundai 300 XL and purchased a 2007 EX-L AWD CRV. We had averaged around 21 mpg with the Hyundai and are now averaging 24 mpg with the Honda. The quality craftsmanship difference for the Honda vs Hyundai is huge. You get what you pay for. I feel much better knowing my wife and two daughters are safe with a very reliable car to transport them throughout their weekly routine. I wish the Honda had more power, but with todays fuel prices the fuel economy is more important. My wife had owned a Prelude before we were married, so shes a Honda Gal anyway

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  Love It But - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Love It But - October 8 - 10:03 pm

  Bought Van from dealer used with 110,000 miles, bought used Japanese before with over 40000 in the past. Excellent mpg on hwy of 27 mpg. Im big, fits me well, tons of room for passengers and stuff. CD went out, a/c went out, remote doors to not work all the time, sliding driver door will not lock automatically, transmission went out 170,000. 2 friends Odyssey trans went out at 99,000. Rubber timing belts in Van changed at 115,000, had 2 Toyota vans, only changed oil, never any problems drove to 220,000 miles, this one at 215,000 no a/c toime to change timing belts, wonder if transmission will last still like handling, roominess, but can trust Honda, new vans seem worst.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Brian - October 8 - 8:53 pm

  I would buy it again, no buyers remorse at all. My main complaint is that Honda still does not make an SUV as good looking as the domestics.

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  Oklahoma Square Root - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By J. D. Carter - October 8 - 6:46 pm

  Having never owned an SUV before, I truly enjoy the driving experience of the new 2007 CR-V. To go from an 03 Civic to the 07 CR-V is nice and I love the higher view of the road.

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  Wind whistles - 2016 Honda Civic
  By LM - October 7 - 10:24 pm

  Im really irritated by the poor window/door seal on the drivers side. At 50+ mph you can hear the wind whistling, like the window is cracked a tiny bit. The dealer and Honda America say its just a characteristic of the vehicle, but my 2015 Civic doesnt do this, nor my 2007 Civic, nor my 2005 Civic, nor the 2002 Civic we had previously. Test drive at 50+ with the radio off and listen before you buy this car. I wish I had. There is no fix at this time. By the way, Im guessing at MPG below. I havent actually checked that.

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  Won on technical merits forgot to consider styling - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Phil Larson - October 6 - 6:25 pm

  Needs USB ports in back seat area. Needs volume control. LKAS needs to be better. ACC is a really great feature but should be smoother. I think I would like to be seen more in a Jeep Rubicon, or even a Jeep Grand Cherokee but the Pilot beat it, the highlander, and the Explorer in all the measurable categories.

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  No Disappointment - 2007 Honda Accord
  By sae185628 - October 6 - 11:23 am

  I traded in my truck in order to get better gas mileage. I have not been disappointed at all. I average 27 mpg for city and 31 mpg on the highway. And believe me that I am hard on vehicles, taking corners at higher speeds than one should, speeding, etc. This car has been nothing but impressive from my standpoint. I have had no issues with it and it has over 24,000 miles.

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  Worst Car I Ever Bought..... - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Sheri - October 5 - 11:42 am

  I caution anyone considering buying this car. I bought the car brand new relying on Hondas history. The transmission suddenly blew up at 80K. I did every scheduled maintenance and more on the car. I contact the Honda dealership where I bought it and they offered to replace the transmission for $5500 or sell me a new 2009. I walked out of the dealership, sold the car and bought a BMW. Never again will I buy a HONDA.

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  Solid - 2001 Honda Civic
  By wildkard58 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  This is my familys 5th Honda (4 Civics) and we are not disappointed. We knew what we were getting. Of course we could have saved $3K-$4K buying a Sunfire\Cavailier or Hyundai but the resale, reliability and quality is not even close to the Civic. Not a problem from day one. For road trips, this may not be the ideal car but itll be good on gas. On the performance side the 1.7 4 banger is lacking a bit in power and performance compared to competition (Mazda3, etc.). Just imagine the Civic with the Accord or CRV 4 cyclinder engine.....are you listening Honda?

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  May new Honda CRV EXL Is Somewhat Of A Disapointme - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Rich - October 5 - 7:10 am

  My new 2017 Honda CRV EXL is somewhat of a disappointment because : A. It didn’t come with roof rails and crossbars, B. Back window on rear hatch doesn’t open, C. I don’t like there climate control , when using autostart during the winter at times my fan speed that I set on high does not always engage on high. I’ve called Honda Customer Service in the past about goodwilling and installing new roof rails and crossbars and the person I spoke with could care less telling me that it was my problem. All CRV’s should come with a roof rack especially if the rear window doesn’t open.