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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  Awesome sedan - 2008 Honda Accord
  By dean - December 11 - 9:53 pm

  Great forum by Edmunds. Just got an Accord and no regret at all. I trade down from 2006 Acura RL and 2004 G35 Infiniti because of the Ga$ prices. I looked at Maxima almost bought one then again ga$ prices. I am glad I did because this ride is nice for 1/2 the price of RL. I like the interior space, dash-board, and a very functional cabin. I only have 200 miles on it thus far, so no complaints here. Just what I expected from a 4cyn. car and much more in style and craftsmanship. Way to go Honda!

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  Expected More - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Never Again - December 10 - 5:59 pm

  Ive been driving this van for several months now and it has its quarks that my Chrysler Town & Country didnt have. Noisy interior, hard suspension, A/C stops working when engine is at idle during hot days (stuck in traffic), transmission slow to engage into gear from park (slow into reverse or drive), CD player doesnt have a rewind (so you need to listen to an entire track again if you miss something, bad for instructional cds), steering pulls hard to the same direction you are turning under acceleration, throttle is at times slow to respond (has a delay between pushing the gas and the van moving), easy to confuse automatic side doors if someone pulls the handle after I push the button.

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  Not for the road! - 2008 Honda S2000
  By Honda2000CR - December 10 - 3:30 pm

  Beware to all, the CR is only for the track. If you are thinking about it for a daily driver or even a weekend getaway car, get the regualar S2000. I drove it less then eight miles on a "standard" road, felt like I went 10 round with Mayweather giving me kidney shots. If you are going to use it for what it was made for (track), youll have a blast.

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  Teen Owner - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Tava - December 10 - 10:00 am

  I got this car a couple months before I got my Learners Permit so that I could learn to drive on it. I fell in love with it immediately. Im pretty short so I wasnt into the sports car because I could barely see over it. The CR-V was the perfect size. Its not too big and its not too small. It also has a very good safety rating. It looks small but has pretty good room in the front and back. IT also has a large trunk great for atheletes like myself to put athletic equipment in. Overall it is a great buy.

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  Tips For 2012 Honda Owners - 2012 Honda Accord
  By Anthony - December 10 - 2:05 am

  Hello, while this might not be the right place to put this information I hope someone can find It useful. I am currently in college and drive 50 miles a day highway. I purchased this car used two months ago and so far its been great! It is a 2012 special edition with 55,000 mi. Being a 2012 it isnt to advanced, but it works very well for me I love the layout and the controls. I will say that it is quite uncomfortable for me I am 62 and after about an hour of driving I get extremely stiff but for short drives it works out just fine. My gas millage is great in my opinion for the size of the car but below I have created a chart in which I have gathered data on my driving and my MPG and how I drive. The Fuel tank is 18.5 gallons which is very nice but when driving aggressively and over 65+ I have found that my average MPG is close to 23 (this is all highway) and driving more sensibly at around 55-60 I can usually get 30MPG Therefore with 23 Mpg you can go 425 miles on one tank while 555 miles on the other, giving you a difference of 129.5 miles dividing that by thirty in which you could use those miles if you drive smarter @30MPG you save 4.316 GALLONS PER FILL UP!! And lets say right now im from Texas and gas here is about 2.00 A gallon so you can save 8.60 A Fill UP!! Lets say you fill up 4 times a month so 8.60 X 4= 34.36 that you can save a month so by driving smarter you can save an entire tank of gas a month! And 34.36 X12 Thats 412.33 DOLLARS A YEAR! (or about 22 fill ups on an empty tank) I hope you all find this information useful and maybe even save some money!:D Overall I would highly recommend this car to anyone it is pretty basic but gets the job done and efficiently!

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  Couldnt Be Happier - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Nic - December 9 - 4:36 am

  Traded in a gas-guzzling SUV for my Civic Si and couldnt be happier. I love the small steering wheel, relatively short throw shifter, exhaust sound and the handling. Seeing how well it handles the ride is actually fairly comfortable for this type of car. The exhaust isnt loud and weed-eater-like but it has a nice hum to it at 6000rpms. Ive been averaging around 32 mpg @ 75 mph.

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  Fun truck with room for improvements - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Central Missouri - December 8 - 3:43 pm

  This truck is fun to drive. Has a superior stereo system. Great quality of workmanship. My friends have deemed it the "swiss army knife of trucks" due to all the great engineering that went into it. Gas mileage is "ok" (17.8 MPG on trips with tires at/near top PSI) I guess for an AWD vehicle, but I am certain that Honda could make it better by using the new engine innovations from the new Odyssey minivans. For a truck topping $30,000 MSRP, I expected heated outside mirrors and a rear window defogger like the Honda Odyssey of my wifes.

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  Fun to Drive with Honda Sturdiness - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Happy Honda - December 8 - 12:56 am

  Just got my new EX-L 6MT with Navi and I already love it. I have owned a Mustang, BMW and other sports cars and really they were no more fun to drive than this car. Its engine pulls hard and the disk brakes work smooth too. I love the Bluetood feature. It helps to stay connected to friends and family on the phone without having to give up the fun of the stick shift. This is the third Honda I have owned with the Navi and I do like this version with the knob better then the touch screen. It is easier to make minor adjustments without fiddling with the screen. I bought the red model just like in the photo spreads and it is a real looker.

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  Good features - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By DFW driver - December 6 - 11:56 pm

  Compare features and prices, Ody beats Sienna for sure. Price is great, too. We got ours at about $100 over invoice in March 05. Build quality could have been better- check odyclub.com for opinions. Many owners have found problems typical of 1st year build- paint defects and trim alignment problems. Make sure you closely inspect the outside paint quality and inside trim, especially the glove box alignment. MPG is so so at 20mpg average, but I dont expect much there since its a heavy vehicle.

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  All I asked for - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By first foreign car - December 4 - 7:03 pm

  Good enough power, great brakes and steering. Feels light and nimble on its feet. Getting 27-28 mpg with light foot, wife gets 22-24 mpg when shes at the helm. Different driving styles. Feel good about buying a car well into its model cycle where the bugs are worked out.