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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  Incredible Car - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Scottque - January 31 - 2:13 pm

  We bought a 2008 Touring the week before Thanksgiving. Needless to say we never expected to be thrilled with any minivan, but this is an amazingly well-designed, very sophisticated vehicle. It handles, turns, and rides like a much smaller car, and the interior room, technology, design and versatility are wonderful. The car is simply loaded, and has so many features (bluetooth, voice recognition, navigation, backup camera, DVD) that were not included/available on our more- expensive XC90. Terrific car that us hard to find fault with.

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  An Excellent, Albeit Quirky, CUV. Love it! - 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By eagleyes - January 31 - 4:46 am

  The quirkiness of this vehicle is also its beauty. I love the styling, from the first one I saw over a year ago. I have had my Crosstour for a bit over one month and can truly say this was a great choice to replace my Volvo XC90. Certainly there is not as much interior cargo space as a traditional SUV, but I dont need that much space for my needs. I wanted something different and yet felt more like driving a car than a truck. The comfort is excellent; engine very quiet with enough response; fit and finish excellent. Not in the same class as the BMW X6 or others in the ultra-premium category, but this really fits the bill for me. Love it so far!

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  2005 honda odyssey - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By DP - January 30 - 11:33 pm

  Really solid. Excellent construction and design. Tight turning radius and wonderful handling. I love it. Had mini-vans since 1985 and this is the best by far.

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  Limited Slip Differential: My new woman - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Bob_H - January 30 - 8:06 pm

  The car is amazing. You can take corners recommended for speeds at no more than 25 MPH at 65, and right when the car is about to jump out of line your VSA kicks in and pulls you back. Snow tires are a must as grip plummets when icy or snowy. 1st and 2nd gears are very snappy and when the VTEC hits it makes the sound of a raging banshee. The bucket seats cradle you and the sound system is extremely nice; much nicer than my fathers TSX and Mothers Ridgeline. The worst thing about the car is the 600 mile "keep it under 4 grand" break in! Its well worth it once you do start hitting the v-tec and the shift indicator is a nice addition. Overall a great car.

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  Goof Car, Good Price - 2009 Honda Accord
  By golf - January 30 - 1:26 pm

  Nine hundred miles; excellent reliability and good acceleration for a four cylinder. The car is a very good value.

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  2016 Certified Accord EX-L Outstanding Deal - 2016 Honda Accord
  By John Gallagher - January 30 - 8:35 am

  This is my 9th Honda Accord sedan. I love the car. The only wart is the ride at times. 90% of the time the ride is good enough-handling is good. 10% of the time when the road is bad, the ride is very rough. But I can live that. The most important issue is transmission performance to me. There is no delay that it makes it an unsafe vehicle like some other cars. I owed an upscale Honda product-Acura TLX. Mine was of 2015 vintage with 4,300 mile when I sold it in September 2016 and I only owned it for a year. I did not feel safe driving it. A variant of the 6 cylinder with the 9 speed ZF was the powertrain. That transmission strangled the 290 horsepower, and the VCM on top of the 9 speed completely neutered the Acura in question. The transmission shifted erratically and 4th gear took too long to engage. The Accord is not for everybody but for my being an Accord fan it is A- and just great. I got this car as a Honda certified with 6,300 miles for with a pre-tax price within + or - 4% of trade-in value. Clean CarFax and AutoCheck accident free. In service date of 1/12/16 - thus, 7 yr Certified warranty ends Jan 2023. I got a wraparound First Automotive warranty that expires same day as Honda 7 year that includes a ton more components than the Honda 7 year powertrain warranty for a nominal amount. The dealership that I purchased the car from was Rick Roush in Medina, Ohio. The sales personnel, Tyler Roush and Tracy Hammond, were extremely helpful and did an outstanding job. A recent listing for a used identical vehicle in a different color was originally listed with a Ford dealer at $28,476-way too high a price. This Ford dealer just reduced it after a few days to $26,810 for a non-Honda certified vehicle-a fair price but not a great price. I did extremely well in my purchase of this car. Again my hat off to Rick Roush Honda.

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  One of the best cars - 2005 Honda Accord
  By salcuta88 - January 30 - 1:19 am

  Owned this car for 9 years. Minimal maintenance. If you want one that drives great and lasts long, get the 7th generation. Still many strong 7th gens out there. Just make sure to change your transmission fluid more often.

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  Battery problems - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Fern - January 29 - 9:00 pm

  Have been having battery problems. During the winter had problems driving car. Dealership said not using the car a lot and going on short trips would probably do it. At stop lights the car cuts out - I thought it was just me but anyone who has driven the car said the same thing. Drove to New Glasgow 200 km trip - When heading back car wouldnt start - had to call roadside assistance - which I must say are excellent. I have Sirius Satellite in my car - they said that it is a serious drainage on my battery using it. I contacted Sirius on this and they have never heard of this being a problem. My boss has his plugged in all the time and never had a problem.

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  Riding the Ridgeline - 2018 Honda Ridgeline
  By Woodchuck_Ron H. - January 29 - 6:53 pm

  New cars are almost always nice—theyre new. The Ridgeline has out shown my initial choice (Outback) by virtue of acceleration, cargo load, pulling capacity and overall versatility. Its been a long time since Ive owned a pickup but the rationale came rushing back. The nice thing (just ask my wife) is it handles and rides like a car—crisp steering, breaking and acceleration, all with a view. Nice package—and the dealer, Lia Honda of Enfield, made it easy. Just ask for Edwin Guzman.

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  Great overall car - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Kevin Z. - January 29 - 1:41 pm

  A/C relay went bad twice in 8 years. Not too shabby.