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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  CRV Tires are Junk - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By newmanrn - April 12 - 6:41 pm

  I purchased this CRV in May 2011, after 8,000 miles we got a vibration from the rear of the car. At 23,000 it was so bad I had to replace the tires with still half the tread left. When they pulled the rear tires, there were flat spots so big, the bounced up and down when they rolled them over to the tire changer machine. There was a 4" wide flat spot across the tires. It came with the Bridgestone Dueler HT470 tires. These tires are junk. Another item that disturbes me is the oil is constantly dirty. I started with using the oil life indicator for oil changes, but the oil was so black, I moved it up to 3,000 miles and it is still dirty. Even with the software update it is still bad.

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  Tires burst easily on tiny tires - 2011 Honda Fit
  By bbillyo - April 12 - 5:07 pm

  2 blowouts in a few months. $170 a pop. Get a better car.

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  Finally reviewing.... - 2006 Honda Accord
  By wds1 - April 9 - 9:26 pm

  I have had the 2006 Accord Ex-V6 since it was new, but have never reviewed it until now. This is the fourth Honda I have owned. I keep all my cars for many years. This car is quite comfortable. I think that is my favorite aspect of the car. The leather seats have held up well. I have had the car almost 7 years (purchased in Nov. 05) and the leather is still not split. My back seats still look practically new. Nothing in the interior has ever broken, to date. The exterior paint is thin and scratches easily. The reported sticker gas mileage is totally inaccurate. It avgs. 18 mpg. The reliability of the car does not compare to my former Honda cars. Its been towed three times in the last year!

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  stay away - this car is a junk-yard worthy thing nothing more - 2006 Honda Accord
  By 190r_k - April 9 - 6:35 pm

  I had this Honda Accord EX V6 for more than 6 years. This was a complete waste of money - problems started almost right after first year - annoying noise in the driver and passenger doors. Then, it had an issue with the steering wheel power pump, next engine mounts broke, then transmission died (at 60000 miles), next I had to replace struts, then steering pump was replaced and finally it started leaking oil... and... well, this list can go on, thankfully I had extended warranty so most of the repairs didnt cost me big $$.

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  Great Colorado college car - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By ftstdnt_andmom - April 9 - 2:02 am

  Im a full time college student and a mom so this car mostly fits the budget! I bought my car 6years ago with 32,000 miles now it has just over 175,000 (I drive a lot) its showing its age now. The biggest problem is the A/C unit. The clutch arm went out 3 years ago and its just not feasible for me to have it repaired. Not having AC is annoying but not nearly as annoying as 2 complaining kids in the back seat.

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  Honda Civic 2001 - Driving for the long haul - 2001 Honda Civic
  By longhaul2001 - April 5 - 11:12 am

  My 2001 Honda Civic LX 4-Dr has gotten as high as 40 mpg driving to MN from IA. My 1st year, a rubber piece on the front of the car fell off after 2000 miles (threw it out). Brand new tires would slip on damp pavement (got rid of original Firestones within weeks of purchasing). By year two, the transmission was shifting roughly and my mechanic used white grease to improve the action. Headlights burn out frequently (replaced 6-8 times). After 5 years, the electronics for the windows blew and had that fixed (not just a simple fuse problem). The struts & bushings failed. Besides all this, I have rolled over 180,000 miles & it has been reliable on many road trips.

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  Accord = back and neck pain - 2011 Honda Accord
  By ponygal1 - April 3 - 1:02 pm

  Hated this car. Got rid of it after a year. Seats were extraordinarily uncomfortable and caused problems for the whole family. Headrests put your chin on your chest (neck, upper back pain), and the angle of the seats caused hip and low back pain. I didnt expect much power, but the mileage wasnt even that great. Cheap build quality - Honda aint what it used to be.

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  2007 Odyssey transimission, brake, steering pump problem - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By unhappyowner07 - March 23 - 12:34 pm

  This is an update to my post on 07/03/10 regarding the transmission problem with my 2007 Odyssey 40k miles. The dealership I went to told me that Honda did not admit there was problem with the transmission because the warning/engine light did not turn on. Eventually the dealership did put in a new torque converter. However, the brake issue was never resolved and there is still problem with brake even after they re-rotor the disc?. I think the dealership does not know what the problem is. On one rainy day, I almost hit the car in front of mine because the odyssey glided forward even though I pressed the brake all the way. I called Honda manufacture customer service and spoke to the manager

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  I got a lemon - 2009 Honda Civic
  By chuckles0505 - March 18 - 9:35 pm

  I was extremely disappointed with this Civic. It regularly left me abandoned, unable to start. I dont know how many times I had to be towed, and the dealership here in Oregon blew me off. This kept happening and happening, that the battery after just a few weeks would suddenly stop holding a charge. After over a year of this, the dealership finally put in a new battery. It still had problems. Something else was wrong with the electrical system somewhere, and the dealership wasnt going to help me out. Then a rock made its way into the brake area somehow, and caused damage. After I wanted out from such an unreliable vehicle, I sold it as a loss. The lemon is someone elses problem.

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  Honda Quality sucks specially made in North America - 2009 Honda Civic
  By car8888 - March 13 - 8:13 pm

  I used to own a couple of Hondas and an Acura. This one honda civic made in North America is really a Lemon. I have only like 36,000 miles and\the following were done to my honda civic. 1) remote control transmitter two times. 2) Evaporator for aircondition gave way. 3) Right axel was replaced. 4) Tirod was also replaced. 5) Front air bag plastic got crack. 6)Front drivers sun visor replaced. I was forced to buy an extended warranty and I am not sure what is next problem? I am tired of going to the dealer. Mileate is also bad, I am only getting only 22 to 25 miles in the city on normal driving and the tires are almost gone. My old Hondas and Acura seldom see the dealer.