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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  Honda is not keeping up - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Bb - June 26 - 6:05 pm

  The CR-V drives nice when tires have less than 15k miles. After that road noise continues to increase to the point of major disillusionment. Its not the tires fault. Its the design. Honda relies on very soft, low mileage, tires on the CR-V to smooth out the harsh suspension. Do not put high mileage or fuel efficient tires on this vehicle! The suspension, or lack thereof, turns the CR-V with high Mileage or fuel efficient tires into a giant tuning fork. Steering feel is disconnected from the road but does react quickly to driver input. Makes me think of a video game. Lower end models with steel wheels do a little better. Already had to replace the AC compressor.

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  Slow boat to nowhere - 2010 Honda Civic
  By kevin - June 25 - 9:27 pm

  I picked up this silk wallet and it was still a sows ear. Loud inside . When I demoed it the salesman said oh dont accelerate too fast it might not be good 4 the engine. so I obliged and drove it medium speed and it seemed to provide all that I needed. After I bought it , which was my fault as I was in a rush, when I punched it to get it up to 60 on the fwy it sounded like a 1000 pack of black cat firecrackers going off under the hood or tarmac level when a A380 takes off Heavy. Thought the damn thing was going to explode. Then the mileage -- Im getting sub-20s and I do 50/50 fwy city so I took it in and they said it needs to break in. My foots gonna break it in soon. theres more but no room.

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  Does not live up to its name - 1997 Honda Civic
  By slowcar - June 25 - 4:50 pm

  I purchased this Honda to replace my Turbo Eclipse because i needed a daily driver car for my commute to Nashville. Car has been riddled with problems. 139k transmission went out, spark plugs were seized in head. Now my electrical system is malfunctioning. The headlights Dim i am throwing codes for oxygen sensor, speed sensor, and ELD. cannot figure out what is wrong with it. I will never buy a Honda again, i must have been one of the few that purchased a true lemon. i have had the car for 6 months drove it 6000 miles and have had to invest 3500 on top of the 3000 cost. Horrible design why did i get such a lemon?

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  The new General motors - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Eaglemech - June 14 - 7:34 am

  Honda has the attitude that General Motors has. Had a 2007 honda civic and thought it was a good car until I traded it. with all the problems people are having with there Civics including cracked engine blocks, thought it was a good time to get rid of mine. I had over 81,000 miles, and no warranty. I traded the civic for a Kia Forte SX FOR $15,900.00, $800.00 cheaper than I paid for my Civic LX. The Forte is much better then the Civic not only because of the price. Comes with features not offered on the Honda, and is fun to drive and less road noise. averaging 32 to 35 mpg with the 2.4 engine and 6 speed tranny.

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  An awful vehicle - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Mark - June 11 - 10:17 pm

  We purchased this Car to replace an Accord. What a mistake! We have spent nearly $2000 on repairs not including the brakes every 20,000. The car was making a noise and shuddering so the dealer said it was the bearings. The AC stopped working The dealer tried to charge $199 to look at it. I fought and they took $100 off the bill. We could not afford to replace the leaking condenser $799! This is a design flaw the ac cond is in an unprotected place in the front of the vehicle where the grille is wide open. If Honda installed a $10 grill to protect it would have never have happened. After owning 4 Hondas I am never buying one again. The quality is now worse than any car on the road.

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  What can go wrong, will go wrong - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Nightmare - June 10 - 12:26 pm

  The brakes have squeaked since day one and have been replaced three times. The dashboard warning lights come on when going through the car wash. Covered the first two times by warranty and had to paid $50 the third time. Told the pressure from the drying system is too powerful and shakes the vehicle too much. Not kidding! Engine light came on and they blamed a non-factory air filter. Came on the next day and they told me their service bulletin said clean with air pressure. Really? Now the panel holding the fuses has become corroded and needs replaced - $1,500. No accountability from Honda NA. Told by Honda CS it cant be that much of a piece of junk because I have 50K miles on it!

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  Traded In After Numerous Problems - 2009 Honda Accord
  By NYHonda_owner - June 8 - 5:35 pm

  Having owned many Hondas before, I was excited when I first bought this car. However, it soon developed problems with paint chipping from the tail light area, rear brake squeal and premature pad wear, and a clicking noise that first was fixed by having the steering column dismantled, and then completely replaced. However the worst was the front seats. It became extremely painful to drive for more then 20 mins in them. The dealer was aware of the problem but there was no fix. I ended up trading this in for a 2006 Honda CR-V SE, which ironically is much more comfortable, problem free, and gets the same gas mileage, despite the fact that its older. Overall, I cant recommend this car to anyone.

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  CR-V doesnt run upto its fame - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Zakir Faruquee - May 31 - 11:27 am

  I bought my CR-V from Peoria, IL on December 4, 2008. In summer, I found the AC was not cooling properly I took to the same dealer, they tested and said I should run the AC at Max, CR-V AC performance as it is. This summer, AC was not cooling I took a different dealer, they filled up with gas and they couldnt found the leakage. - When I start the CR-V it makes buzzing noise, it started at beginning of last winter, I took it to a Honda dealer, and they said its not a safety problem and they are not going to fix it. Besides, I have problems with door lock too. My CR-V is 1.5 years old with a mileage of 18,000 miles and should be covered under warranty?

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  Not reliable - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Randy Gilligan - May 25 - 3:26 pm

  I had many issues with the Ridgeline, at 18,000 mile front rotor locked up, 30,000 mile tire pressure monitoring sensor went bad, 80,000 blown engine (supposedly from a loose spark plug) and 90,000 compressor for air conditioning needs replacement (leaking).

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  Boring to drive - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By Ken - May 18 - 9:14 pm

  I have been reading the other reviews made by other people on here and wonder if they are actually driving the same SUV I am. It transmission down shifts so hard that it nearly threw off the snowy mountain road I was on. I think real time 4 wheel drive is a joke. The ride is harsh, and very uncomfortable on long rides and is very noisy. The seats are hard and uncomfortable. It is very underpowered and really so when AC is on and can barely make up the mountains where I live. it would a much better SUV for a place that gets less than 4 inches of snow and flat. I will never own another Honda, My next purchase will be a Subaru