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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  Great car - 2007 Honda Accord
  By matt - March 13 - 9:27 pm

  The Accord is a great car, but the brakes are its Achilles heel. I just replaced them all around - the backs wore first. Other than that - the car is great. I get 35 mpg on the hwy.

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  This should help with your decision! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By northeastpilot - March 13 - 10:19 am

  After driving everything, heres what I found. The popular Acadia got such great reviews but heres how I graded it: interior. B (too many cheap plastics) exterior. A- ride. B+. Drove the Acura (pricey for things I dont need) Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy SUVs. None beating pilot. They either had quality or cargo issues. Heres my grade on the pilot-interior a-, exterior. B+, ride. A. Combined with with build quality & resale, its a home run. A guy I met said it perfectly. The pilot is like looking for the right woman/wife. Shes nice looking but not the prettiest. Get to know her and her qualities will win you over easily. Youll make a mistake going with the prettiest SUV (woman.

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  great car! - 2010 Honda Insight
  By teacher - March 13 - 8:34 am

  Have enjoyed getting to know my Insight having driven for it almost a year now. Mileage is terrific - colder weather was around 40 mpg and with weather warming up i am now getting 44-45. cant beat that. headlights could be improved - needs broader area of light. also the split back window, while a beautiful design, is a little odd for seeing out back and backing up. overall, a great car with a great ride. the added leather interior is a nice upgrade!

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  Cheap materials spell disaster - 2008 Honda Fit
  By dmbcyg - March 12 - 5:29 pm

  Last week in spite of my asking all the questions and doing all my homework, I ended up with a used, certified fit I thought was in excellent condition. I saw the Carfax and all. Now I have both front doors molding coming loose, my front drivers door inside is falling apart and the front driver and passenger side windows fog up for no apparent reason. My brakes are grabbing and it shakes, rattles and shimmers at 75 mph. The dealer I purchased it from where slow answering my calls so we had to stay up on it. Finally, someone called to check up on how we liked it ( no one acknowledged my first call). My husband took it back and we have a nice loaner. If I had the money I would go with corolla

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  Motor Mounts/Transmission Trouble Dont - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By HondaNO - March 12 - 3:12 pm

  Always had the recommended maintenance done. One motor mount broke early on. The other one went out at 90,000 miles = $2,500. The transmission went out at 96,000 miles over $4,000 to repair. Timing belt $980. Thought Hondas were reliable. From this site I see that it can be relied on to have costly repairs starting at around 80,000 miles. (I didnt list the previous problems just the most recent.) Has always had a lot of road noise as well as many rattles.

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  4Dr Si - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Bob - March 12 - 1:44 pm

  The most fun car to drive I ever drove & I have a quick BMW also. Fit & finish are excellent. I have 5200 miles on it and thus far no problems. I get 25 MPG combined hwy & town even when I drive it hard. Excellent value

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  Realistic View - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By PilotAfterPilot - March 12 - 12:59 pm

  First let me say that all reviews depend on what the reviewer wants from a car. I needed a car that would be safe for my family, functional, and a good value. The Honda Pilot delivers on all accounts. One of the best features for us is the interior room. With the width of the 2nd row seat you can easily fit a normal sized adult in the middle seat between 2 car seats, good luck doing that in a Highlander! First hand experience says the car is very safe as well. Last month another Pilot lost control and hit us head on. Both cars totaled, no injuries, and I had my kids and parents in the car! Im getting my 2010 Pilot tomorrow. The car also drives well, and did great in the snow!

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  Great reliable car - 1997 Honda Accord
  By Scott - March 12 - 12:53 pm

  Bought this EX-L V6 in 02 with 68k, now has 193k. Other than normal maintenance., it hasnt needed anything. Doesnt use any oil and the v6 is peppy, yet gets good mpg. Disc brakes on all 4 wheels seem to hold up very well. Been through 2 teenage drivers and still survived ( I know they didnt baby it). Plan on keeping it another 100k. Power windows have gotten a little slow, but seems to be a common problem on these cars. Spray silicone once in while does seem to help. Looking for another 97 accord for my next teenager.

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  Steering is painful on Expressways - 2010 Honda Fit
  By Paul - March 12 - 10:53 am

  I bought my Fit as a commuter car since I drive on expressways 70 miles per day. Had I known how heavily the FIT steers at any speed over 50 mph, I would have bought another vehicle. When driving in any lane that slopes from left to right or right to left, the car needs constant touches on the wheel to keep it in a straight line. At the same time, the wheel feels as if it is stuck in molasses. The car has 2,000 miles on it at this point. I have owned Fords, Dodges, Toyotas, Cadillacs, Lincolns subcompacts, pickups, vans, sedans and Town Cars and have never driven a vehicle that handled so poorly on the expressway. Driving it is a chore and I doubt I will keep it until it is paid off.

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  Expectations Met - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Catawba - March 12 - 8:41 am

  Bought this car during Cash For Clunkers, but waited to write a review until I saw how it performed during a Vermont winter. I put studded snow tires on and its been fine. Everything else is what I hoped for--fun to drive, trouble fee and consistently gets 40 mpg. I keep the back seats folded flat to accommodate golf clubs, dogs, etc. To keep wear and tear to a minimum, I bought an Elemmat from Murdock Industrial. Its a rubber mat designed for this model and it protects the cloth upholstery. I got the base model, since the only feature on the sport model I cared about was cruise control, but decided it wasnt worth the extra money. Not a luxury car, but great basic transportation.