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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  Whoops - 2009 Honda Accord
  By douglas - November 12 - 1:23 pm

  After only 1500 miles, I concede I made a horrible mistake. Seats are killer, road noise is so bad I cant use my phone at times. Did I mention the seats are brutally bad.

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  Fun and useful vehicle - 2009 Honda Fit
  By ReneeSarah - November 11 - 12:10 am

  I have had my Honda Fit for a month and am still glad I got it. The Fit has good crash test results, good mileage and configurable space inside. I have went to IKEA and not worried about how I was going to get stuff in the car, put a fully assembled swivel desk chair in the back that I bought from Staples, etc. The interior finishing seems kind of cheap looking even compared to the Honda Insight. The front seat headrests do not adjust in a way that will ever be comfortable and the seats are kind of hard. There is good visibility- especially out the front window- where the expansive view is absolutely luxurious. While I got the "Sport" model, there is absolutely nothing sporty here.

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  New LX CVT purchase - first impression review - 2013 Honda Accord
  By paathiker1 - November 10 - 2:50 pm

  Previous car 2000 Accord LX. The value is huge with the features, for the money it was tough to beat. Great deal too, I purchased on 12/31/12 at invoice plus a $500 credit for using Honda Finance. My only frustration is that my 2000 6 speaker stereo sounded better than the 4 speaker unit in the 2013. Also the center console is smaller and does not have the upper tray, just less storage overall. The dash layout is fantastic, the climate controls are minimal in the space it occupies, and the i-Mid control in the LX is much easier to use compared to the dual screen arrangement in the EX-L and above.

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  Do your research b4 buying it! - 2003 Honda Element
  By caveman - November 10 - 11:42 am

  I bought a used 2wd Ex with 31k on it. After 7 months I put in 17k. Here are my experiences with this car. WHATS HOT: Versatile (can carry large object like a truck when rear seats remove or flip up), great interior design, roomy, Honda reliability, high seats. WHATS NOT: Wind/road noise (way noiser than typical car), cheap plastic interior, too many rattles (trust me - it will be very annoying), hold your steering wheel tight in a windy way on a freeway, its ugly, seats are uncomfortable because its pretty flat, windshield prone to crack, rocking driver seat, tires wore quickly, over rated stereo (speakers are terrible), payload on 675 lbs, seats only for 4.

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  THE car I was looking for - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By JEMO - November 10 - 2:45 am

  Just an idea of how reliable this car is. I bought this 99 in 04, having seen it on a website. I checked the background THOROUGHLY through several agencies. Not only was this car still in incredible shape, it had that wonderful record of reliability. It has not disappointed me a year later. Still looks great and runs like a dream. I think this car called to me from that website. Thank goodness.

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  Best Small SUV - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By John Freeman - November 9 - 5:15 pm

  This is used primarily as a tow-behind-our-motorhome vehicle, and as our 2nd-car home vehicle. It excels at both. Its light & pulls safely & reliably with 4 wheels on the ground, has 4 speed automatic, is powerful enough to use off-road, and delivers a solid 28 mpg. The best investment a motorhome owner could make. We live at high altitude in Colorado, and have plenty of power to go over steep mountain passes on cruise control @ 65+mph, and when shifted to 3rd gear, the tough little engine has enough compression to handle downgrades without braking. It handles reliably in snow and on ice. After almost 4 years of use, only routine service has been done. No repairs required.

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  15 years and still going strong - 1990 Honda Accord
  By drewd - November 8 - 7:22 pm

  I bought my Accord new in 1990. The only major problem that I had was my own fault - the timing belt broke because I did not follow the scheduled maintenance. Unfortunately, it cost about $1600 to fix, but thats the only significant problem that the car has ever had. Its protected my wife in two fairly serious accidents, even without airbags. Its been all over the US and treated us great! Every time we think about selling it, we just cant come up with a compelling reason - maybe it will just last forever!

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  Got it!Get it 2018 CR-V - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By Grace - November 8 - 6:04 pm

  So far so good. I have not had time to acclimate to all the bells and whistles. But while it has a lot some are not too easy to figure out. It takes some time and research to do so. It could be because I am not to technology savvy. Otherwise it is a Great car!. Lots of room in the back seating9 or so say my passengers).

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  Hoping for the Best - 1994 Honda Accord
  By STL Bob - November 8 - 3:59 pm

  I purchased this car yesterday (10/7/2005) with the idea that I would drive it for 18 months then turn it over to my son when he turns 16. It has 138k miles on it and the most significant option is anti-lock breaks. The primary body problem is a small rust spot behind the drivers side rear wheel that should be easy to fix. The car looks very nice for being 11 years old. There are no tears in the fabric and the dash is not cracked. The body looks good except for the rust spot. The paint has held up well and is still glossy and the plastic trim has not faded. Car starts and runs well but transmission is a little rough. Pick up is not like my 6 cycl but I did not expect it to be.

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  They Keep on Running - 2002 Honda Civic
  By ngalvan122907@gmail.com - November 6 - 9:45 pm

  I had bought a 4 door 2002 Honda civic DX that was practically given to me and that car is a trooper it went through two accidents from previous owners and after a few repairs it runs as if nothing happened. The car is reliable and very compact thus it has great gas mileage. Just the other day I took it to the next city 30 miles to get there and 30 miles to come back and the gas needle did not even move for like two days then after that it continued to move down like it normally does. I did not have to fill up on gas for a couple of days. My only complaint is that it takes a few extra seconds for it to pickup speed and it makes this noise but apparently it is normal. Another thing is the steering is not a smooth as other cars and it has nothing to do with the power steering. I had a 1994 Nissan Sentra and the steering on that was so smooth. Those are my only small complaints. I see these cars everywhere. My co worker has a beat up version of my car and my neighbor who parks next to me has his 2002 Honda civic dented everywhere with the lights popping out but none the less their cars keep running like a charm too. I really dont see this model dying out soon.