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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  Better than the 2012, but ....... - 2013 Honda Civic
  By drjc3 - February 12 - 9:17 pm

  I like the car overall, but Im still having a hard time getting past the cheap honeycomb grill & the too black alloy wheels. I didnt realize when I bought the car 3 weeks ago that the radiator is as visual as the grill itself. The interior noise/engine are improved & the overall handling is very good. I wish I could get past the toys-for-us grill!

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  Still deciding - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By 7669 - February 11 - 2:38 pm

  I just purchased a 2011 Pilot EX-L with navigation (FWD). It has 19, 000 miles on it. I admit the gas mileage is disappointing, especially considering it does not have 4WD. I am still getting about 20 mpg on the highway, around 15 in town. I agree that the interior appears cheaply made but will withhold judgment until I see how it holds up. I am wondering if anyone else has experience with the FWD model? I live in a snowy area, but in the six years I owned my first pilot, did not once use the 4WD option. Hoping that the traction control and good snow tires will keep me going. One day after I bought the pilot we had a pretty significant snow storm and had no problems...

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  So far so good - 2012 Honda Civic
  By montrealcivic - February 10 - 6:49 pm

  Been driving a Civic for years. This is my third consecutive new Civic. Previous models were the 98 and 05. Unfortunately this model has impressed me less than the 05. I am 5 foot 11 and often hit my head getting out of the car. They seem to have decreased the cavity opening by 1-2 inches. The carpeting is not really carpet - more akin to a dish scrub brush. This was easily fixed by adding the rubber mats with the protection package. The dash is one huge mass of not so pretty plastic. The plastic on the prior models at least resembled the texture of leather. I find visibility reduced with the long window frame pillars. The good points help reduce the negatives however.

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  Saved my sons life! - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By bjb22269 - February 9 - 7:05 am

  Last weekend my son had an accident with my 2011 Honda CRV due to speed and road conditions and totalled my car. He hit a rock wall at a high rate of speed and rolled end for end. AND WALKED AWAY!! He is 66" and weighs 250lbs. Only had scratchs and a bump on his head. This was is destroyed but it saved my sons life. He owns a 2002 Honda Civic and if he was in that he would be dead. I am VERY pleased and happy with this car and how safe it really is. He hit the wall so hard that the left front wheel, tire, axle, and shock came out in one piece. Alot of people (me included) look at the "pretty" of a car and dont really think about the safety. Well built car!! Thank you Honda!

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  Wagon space with good mileage - 2013 Honda Fit
  By goldgato - February 8 - 11:33 pm

  This is a good car for anyone wanting a wagon-type car with better-than-wagon mpg. This is my commute car, so it does a good job of handling both freeway and city streets quite well. I also did test drives on the Kia Rio5, the Kia Soul, the Ford Fiesta, the Hyundai Accent, and the Nissan Cube, but the Honda Fit was a better overall experience.

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  Problematic transmission - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By stevej757 - February 7 - 2:08 pm

  Weve had the CR-V for about 5 months & ever since the car was delivered it has vibrated between 1800 & 2200 RPM. It is most noticeable between 55 & 65 MPH. At low speeds there is no vibration, but once the transmission shifts into high, then the car rumbles. Ive brought it back to the dealer 3 times, & they acknowledge the problem & say that it is charachteristic of the CR-V. One of the service team leaders said the problem is also on the Accord 4 cylinder. It just appears that the transmission shifts too soon. Its really frustrating. Dont be in the passing lane if youre in Econ mode & accellerating up a hill! The non-highway mileage averages around 24 mpg.

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  CRV Road Noise - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By dirigo1 - February 5 - 8:35 pm

  Had problem with Continental tires on my 2011 CRV. At 10,000 miles a road noise started that was terrible. I put up with it longer than I should have. I was told by the dealer that all four tires needed replacing at only 24,000 miles. In reading several forums CRV road noise is common due to lack of insulation. Neither Honda or Continental would assist. They both have to be knowledgable about their issues. Unless Honda has improved sound insulation on the car underside of the new model, I would not recommend buying a CRV.

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  If you think this car is noisy... - 2012 Honda Civic
  By shannonb36 - February 1 - 6:53 am

  Just traded in a 2009 Accent for a 2012 new, left over Civic. have put on 150 miles in 2 days and planning a road trip to test its mettle. Very impressed so far. Started with a 2012 Accent which was totaled. Went with the 09 on the assurance that it would give me 300,000 miles. What it gave me was 2K worth of repairs in one year. I havent driven other cars in the Civics class, but it handles and rides like a dream. Seating is very comfortable, back seat even in the coupe model is spacious. Engine is a quiet hum. Hoping that this will be my 300K mile vehicle.

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  Over 4 years later, still love it and no problems! - 2008 Honda Fit
  By cyanosissaur - January 30 - 10:38 am

  I bought this car new in June 2008 for the price, style, space, and gas mileage. They were hard to get a hold of in my area because of popularity at the time, so I got lucky when mine arrived on a truck that the dealer wasnt expecting. I still love it. Aside from routine maintenance, Ive had no problems with the car. Thats even after being hit by another driver two separate times, so most of the body has been repaired. I drive from Ohio to Connecticut a lot and dont have a problem on long trips or in the city. Sure, theres road noise, but what do you expect from a compact car for the price? The road noise gets worse as tires wear, so new and well kept tires make a big difference!

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  A Consumer Car With Zip - 1997 Honda Accord
  By peterpaul - January 27 - 10:38 pm

  This is my second Honda Accord in the last few years. My first was a 97 Honda Accord SE with 185,000 miles on it that I bought from a junkyard for essentially nothing: it zipped around fine, sipped gas, and was cheap to repair. It died (lesson, never buy a used car without a maintenance history) as the old owner ragged it. For the above reasons, I bought one last week, a 97 EX with the V6 engine in it. It has 138,000 miles on it and is in excellent condition. It has zip and pep and really gets around town. Even better, as it has all the maintenance records going back to purchase, I can see it has been well kept and for a fraction of other cars. Yay 94-97 Honda Accords!