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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  Happy at 5000 Miles - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Captnemo - February 10 - 8:43 pm

  Just passed the 5000 mile mark with about half city and half highway driving. Gas mileage has been improving and is now consistently 29 hwy/22 city. Transmission shifting and VCM woes cited by some other buyers have smoothed out. So far, a noticeable improvement over my 98 Accord, which was a gem. Drives and handles well for a mainstream sedan, and it should be evaluated on this basis. If you want sports sedan handling and performance, then pay much more and buy a true sports sedan! Exterior with white diamond pearl resembles a BMW 525 series for thousands less.

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  Dont look like a "Mom" car anymore - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Wendy - February 10 - 6:03 pm

  Drives like a gocart, good gas mileage, after tinting and adding Sirius Satellite Radio, replacing entire aftermarket system, plus extras.. (Oh yea the Factory speakers are actually plastic frames.) I now have added rims off of a 2003 EX Civic. Now the car actually almost looks about right.. The original factory hub cap rims had to go... Brakes have a problem when going down a slight incline once in a blue. Almost feels like it wants to lock up, had Honda Tech check out but naturally no show on the problem. Would like to put a better brake system, when these wear out. For the price paid on this car they should at least have disk all the way around on an LX. 16K on a civic is too much.

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  Love my CR-V - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Shell - February 10 - 1:24 pm

  Great all around car

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  Love it - 2006 Honda Civic
  By marilyn - February 10 - 10:30 am

  This car has all I need for years of driving satisfaction. Functional, fun and responsive. Only complaints are a few cosmetic details. Paint flaws on front bumper and tip of the hood, fabric not tacked down around seat and inside moon roof, causing the sliding part of the moon roof to have an abrasion and black stain, but warranty will cover that. LOVE the dash design and large easy to read speedometer. One tank of gas goes a LONG way.

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  2007 honda crv review - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Ron Chamberlain - February 10 - 6:40 am

  The crv rides firm but in a comfortable way. No appreciable wind noise or road noise. The engine noise is noticeable but not offensive. Only thing that slightly irritates me is the gearing in the transmission. The first 4 gears are spot on where you would like them. The fifth gear is TALL, a real road gear in every sense of the word. A fairly large gap between 4th and 5th. Irritation comes when doing 45 mph and it shifts into 5th under light load, only problem is its only doing about 1500 rpm in 5th and not enough torque at that rpm to do anything and the drivetrain stresses. It does 70 mph at 2100 rpm. Need a pilots license to ever see 3000 rpm in 5th. Sort of wonder why..

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  The fit is GO! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Sam - February 9 - 11:30 pm

  I really like my fit, however I am disappointed by the gas mileage (its much lower than advertised, city) and the seat comfort. I bought a pillow for the seat because, on long trips, by legs go numb because Im so tall. The room in this car is deceivingly abundant. I can fit my entire apartments worth of stuff inside. Acceleration is a little shady at times, but it is really fun to drive. The sound system is great, and I love the look of the car. I feel safe inside it because its a Honda, and it has 8 airbags.

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  Driving the Honda Civic Hybrid - 2006 Honda Civic
  By h76 - February 9 - 5:03 pm

  Mileage is excellent. I love the way it drives. The no shift (just like a high powered golf cart) transmission. Step on it and away you go. A little scary the first time you make an economy stop and everything goes quiet. This is definitely the best car we have ever owned. I would think a lot more emphasis should be placed on how this car drives.

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  Going Greener with Some Style - 2005 Honda Accord
  By 56rascal - February 9 - 3:20 pm

  A first look for the curious...My initial gas mileage is around 29 mpg for in town (60% highway/ 40% city). Powerful engine but if you have a lead foot dont expect to get the mpg also. You can slightly feel the engine kick between ECO (three cylinder operation) and the full six. You should test drive it (at operating temp.) and feel for this. Engine shuts down on stops (at op. temp.) unless you like or need to constantly creep forward. Youll feel the slight vibration on restart, but I enjoy the reminder Im not sitting and idling. My driving style is changing to match the capacity of the car (looking for the ECO light). Power-excellent; handling-good; interior-very good. More later?

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  A Super Car - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Tom Melchior - February 9 - 6:40 am

  This is the first car I owned where the gas mileage sticker was true. I have gotten over 43 MPG on Texas interstate Hwy and mid to upper 30s city. Style, comfort and ride is super and its fun to drive

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  Car lovers SUV! - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By BKiser - February 9 - 2:00 am

  Needed a larger vehicle for a growing family. Test drove EVERY midsize SUV out there. Some were too small- RX300, Highlander, Pathfinder. Others were still too much truck- 4Runner, Trailblazer, Explorer. Pilot is the PERFECT size. Not cheap, but still a good value at sticker. DVD player is great!