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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  First Honda, Seat belt trouble - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By mmc24 - February 23 - 1:43 pm

  So far, Im just getting used to my first Honda after 20 years of driving Pontiac Grand Prix. This vehicle of course does not have the luxury of a Grand Prix but it does have many fine qualities, one of which is the AWD which I really like. However, I have twin 5yr old grandchildren and it is almost impossible to get their car seats buckled in the back seat. The belt will not latch without the most extreme effort as the buckle part extending from the seat recedes when you try to latch it. As I pick them up from school everyday this has become a serious problem as well as the nuisance of getting your clothes dirty from leaning over the door rim to try to reach the buckle.

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  Why Did I Buy This Car? - 2005 Honda Accord
  By lebloom - February 23 - 12:36 pm

  Wanted a better car for the MPGs and thought a Hybrid was it. Was I ever wrong. Now have over 200k on it and the transmission has a noise coming from it and am told it has to be replaced, and they WONT repair it! The ride is not the best and it never was Quiet to drive at all.

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  2001 Honda Civic - 2001 Honda Civic
  By rick248 - February 21 - 12:24 pm

  My Civic has about 85K miles on it. Its been great until this morning when I found out it needed a new transmission. Checking on this, I found out that this is not uncommon for the 01 model: many folks have run into the same problem. Also found out, Honda had a program offering assistance with repairs that ran for 7 years or 100,000 miles. I was never informed about this and now am facing a big bill. I contacted Honda and they wished me well but said they could no longer offer any monetary assistance. I believe they should offer something because I was never notified. They usually have a great product but I think Ill look elsewhere in the future.

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  Substandard Tires on CRV LX - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By ohiomarine1 - February 18 - 2:28 pm

  I took delivery of a CRV LX and noticed when I got home that the tires were substandard....Continental. This LX was not on the lot at anytime only other CRVs but not LXs. The other CRVs had Michelins or Goodyear tires so I assumed.. The dealer and Honda America were not interested in trading out the tires even if I paid the difference which is amazing to me.

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  HONDA NO MORE - 2008 Honda Accord
  By divakeys - February 14 - 10:48 am

  I had been a Honda owner for years....Loved them. Bought the 2008 Honda Accord, new. Rear brakes went on it 2x before the fronts. Honda did nothing for me....said there was a class-action law suit, and too bad for me as I was too late. Then, it was running out of oil in between changes. I have never put a drop of oil in any of my vehicles in between 3000 mile oil changes. Honda said it was normal. I could not believe that they asked me to believe this. Then , there was no oil being pumped into the engine when I started it. Enough for me. I sold it, and 2 weeks later they recalled the car for the same probs. I had complained about. They never reimbursed me for anything. Sayonara.

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  Disappointed With Ridgeline - 2010 Honda Ridgeline
  By cmark60 - January 24 - 9:53 am

  Owned a Ridgeline RTL for 30 months. I loved the vehicle at first until quality issues came to light. Rear sliding window seal would get pinched and leak, wind noise on front windshield due to a the window seal pulling away especially during cold weather, a high pitched "whistle" that I tracked down to a body seam behind the XM antenna that could be silenced by covering the seam with electrical tape, a dash rattle caused by the factory did not tighten the left front speaker screws and the dash had to be removed creating a new rattle, heater temp sensor control problem, door and body panel seams aligned poorly, uncomfortable rear seat

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  The CRV has Problems - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By ron1949 - January 19 - 5:21 pm

  Well after much research I took the plunge. The water was filled with disappointment. The dealer could not program the hands free phone, delivered the car dirty and not serviced, and tried to sell all kinds of useless add-ons. Not what I remembered from my last Honda. The innovation is just not there. Now for all of you poor souls who looked and looked for the wiper indicator its not there. Honda America has some kind dip stick to let you know if wiper fluid is low. Wont find out until you are in a dangerous situation and no way to clear your windsheild. The car was delivered with an empty tank. Watch out for tranmission surge while in Econ Mode.

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  Do not purchase - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By brendaf123 - January 14 - 6:02 pm

  Cruise control drops up to 8 mph going up a hill and gains that much going down. Dealer says the 15 mph speed variation is "normal and within guidelines". I have been driving with cruise controls since they were introduced and have never seen dramatic fluctuations like this even when the technology was new. It is too bad that Honda finds this acceptable. Side window fogs making it difficult or impossible to see side mirror. Defroster doesnt help. Seems to be a design flaw particularly in humid climates. Heater works great unfortunately I live in the south and the air conditioner is not adequate on hot days. We thought we were buying a car that we could keep for years. So disappointed.

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  uncomfortable seats - 2013 Honda Civic
  By derekleeo - January 14 - 4:55 am

  It took a few days to realize how uncomfortable the front seats are in this car. I tried to trade it back in, and was told I would take a $3k loss. They also wanted me to pay full sticker on the new car. I would not recomend Ocean Honda of New Port Richey(Florida). I chose this car for the reliability and mpg. If it wasnt for the seat, I would love this car.

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  Water Leaks in CRV interior (no moonroof) - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By williamj62 - January 13 - 4:43 pm

  Noticed longterm musty smell in our one owner , one driver 2009 CRV. Found significant amount of water in spare tire compartment and front passenger floor board. Car in excellent shape w/22k miles, no moonroof, no accidents with dealer installed roof rails. Saw several similar complaints on internet. Took to dealer, cost $600 to "seal under rear bumper" and under windshiel lower cowl area. Hopefully the problem was addressed. Was told seams were not sealed by factory. Dealer had seen this problem before and was very through looking for the problem-not a dealer issue. Honda, however, would not cover the cost of any of this, although it is clearly a factory quality control problem.