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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  Not bad, not great spend some time in the seat - 2017 Honda Civic
  By M. Smith - April 12 - 8:42 am

  We got our civic hatchback on a lease due to some aggressive pricing at the time. We picked it over the new Subaru Impreza hatchback, Focus and Mazda 3. I am coming into this car from a 2012 skyactiv Mazda 3 touring sedan. We were looking for a hatchback that could hold an infant seat. The civic has plenty of room for our seat without adjusting the front seat which is great. We liked the interior space of the car and of course the hatchback is a huge plus. The seats almost fold flat and ease of loading junk in and out is good. Acceleration and fuel economy are both great. Ride quality is better than I thought but not as good as the Impreza. Wind and road noise is pretty good, maybe slightly above average but not class leading. Now on to the not so good. Things you may not notice on a test drive. The lack of a volume knob bothers me way more than I thought. This thing is also super hard to clean on the outside leaves and little bits get down in all the cracks and creases on the rear end. When I wash my car I have to get that junk out or it would bother me to no end. The interior is not much better the material of the seat and armrest gets dirty fast and all the spots in the overly busy dash hold dirt that can be a pain to get out. The seats are not comfortable for tall people on long drives. I am 6 tall 190lbs with a big build(broad shoulders/chest) the bolstering on the upper part of the seat puts pressure on my shoulders and the lumbar support is just a bit off. After about 30 minutes I am ready to get out and stretch. I can do hours at a time in our Outback or my work truck no problem. Its somehow manages to be quick without being fun. The mazda 3 seems to be the bench mark for fun to drive in this class and to me the civic is just lacking something in the feel even compared to now ancient Ford Focus. Yes its fast, yes it stays planted, yes it can make some fun noises but the cvt while quite good and effective at day to day driving saps all fun out of it. I cant help but feel with a manual this car would be a blast. It also lacks the feed back and just that explainable fun factor the mazda has. Overall its not a bad car perhaps its a little overly complex on the design side but if you are on the smaller side and just need something to get you to and from work this may be your car. For me I am dumping it when the lease is up and looking for something more my size.

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  Served me well for 15 years! - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Honda Owner - April 12 - 8:32 am

  2016: Time for a new car, but the 2001 Honda Civic LX was great for me. It had very little problems during the time that I owned it, except for the "check engine" light, which seemed to go on and off like a bad light bulb. Having driven it for so long, I knew exactly what conditions would cause the light to go on (it had nothing to do with a "tight" gas cap). Driving the car for a couple of days would always cause the light to go back off. Other than that, I gave it regular oil changes, tire rotations, scheduled maintenance, etc. I never had any serious issues. I ran it for 145,000, but a trusted mechanic said it could easily pass 200K.

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  Served me well for 15 years! - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Honda Owner - April 12 - 8:32 am

  2016: Time for a new car, but the 2001 Honda Civic LX was great for me. It had very little problems during the time that I owned it, except for the "check engine" light, which seemed to go on and off like a bad light bulb. Having driven it for so long, I knew exactly what conditions would cause the light to go on (it had nothing to do with a "tight" gas cap). Driving the car for a couple of days would always cause the light to go back off. Other than that, I gave it regular oil changes, tire rotations, scheduled maintenance, etc. I never had any serious issues. I ran it for 145,000, but a trusted mechanic said it could easily pass 200K.

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  Love this car - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By GP - April 11 - 5:53 pm

  Ive had this car for just over 3 weeks and have gone about 1000 miles. Still only on the second tank of (regular) gas. Im not sure why some people say theyre not getting good mileage. Car is rated at 48 average and driving normally in stop-go traffic to work I get about 56 mpg. Thats about 40% of my 26 mile trip (one-way) at freeway speeds. It appears that the system has 3 modes when you watch the mpg chart. That is: about 19, 38 and 80+ mpg. Looks like it correlates to the three driving modes. It prefers hybrid drive or engine only drive unless you play the system to stay in EV mode as long as possible. If you accelerate its hard to stay in EV mode. Once youre up to speed, let up on the accelerator and it switches into EV mode and stays there to cruise for a long time at 80+ mpg. Ive done round trips of 61.7 mpg average! And I did this without pissing off people behind me. Also EV mode doesnt turn on when the gas engine is cold. Use the ACC and the car stays in EV mode longer too. People complain about slow acceleration which is sometimes true but I think its because the system is conservative and waits till the car in front moves away. Just press the accelerator if you need to; its like pressing the brakes when you need to also. Only concern I have is that I noticed a lot of body parts are bolted or attached in a way that water builds up in the cracks when I was it. Makes me wonder if thatll turn out to be a rusting problem later. Otherwise, the ride is great, comfortable and very stylish. Way better than the alternatives we looked at.

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  Fun to drive - 1998 Honda Accord
  By sitao - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought mine 5 years ago and still have the power and reliability that comes from Honda. It still have enough gusto and fun to drive. Installed an AEM cold air intake and boosted power by almost 10%. One of the most reliable cars Ive owned. I will keep mine for many years to come.

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  Duncans Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By M.L. Duncan - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Owned car for almost 1 year, no performance problems, fun to drive - it has a lot of power, handles well, hauling space very adequate, get a lot of compliments from passengers about comfort - would definitely purchase again, more pros than cons - only downside that Ive found is paint quality, tends to chip and scratch easily -

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  Very nice Van - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Jimbob1950 - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I like it a lot

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  Still beats the Toyota - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By hotspur - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I waited 2 years to buy the 2004 Sienna b/c I wanted the third row split seat and assumed the Toyota would be miles better than the "aging" Honda. WRONG! The Siennas a marshmellow, soft ride, mushy brakes, wallowing steering, seasick suspension. Both my wife and I felt the same after our long test drive. The Honda is by far the better drivers car. F1 feel in a minivan!

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  Jacks Review - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Bom - April 11 - 10:00 am

  We bought one with a DVD player and my daughter loves it! Honda is the way to go on vans!

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  Happy Honda owner! - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Wcn1970 - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Splendid! A very wise decision. The mileage is phenominal. Better than the sticker said!