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:
Showing 5171 through 5180 of 31,869.00-
Excellent Car! - 2001 Honda Civic
By steveO - December 26 - 10:00 amI am having a great experience with my 2001 Honda Civic. To date I have had only minor electrical issues other than routine maintinence. It has 100,000 miles in just under 3 years and is purring like a kitten. The only gripe that I have is that the seats lack lumbar support and are very uncomfortable. I drove my last Civic (1989) to 200,000 miles and plan to do the same with this one!
-
Would have bought sooner - 2004 Honda Civic
By Copier Guy - December 26 - 10:00 amIn October, best quote was $20.4K. In March same guy said $500 BELOW invoice. I didnt trust him, kept shopping. Paid $19.7K plus tax & title. For best mpg, hammer the assist and get to speed quick! USE THE CRUISE! Keep econ turned on. DONT creep up after stop, the engine WONT auto stop again, and youll be sitting there wasting gas. - Down sides: a: Construction pot holes trigger ABS. ABS kills re-generative braking (expected). Requires more braking effort. And re-gen wont re-engage until you accelerate. Releasing the brake and re-applying doesnt reset. b: CVT really lets engine scream on expressway merge (scary scream).
-
First (Japanese Car) Honda Accord EX - 1998 Honda Accord
By Don W. - December 24 - 7:27 pmI purchased this car in Dec 2004 with 69000 on it from the original owners. Happy so far. Good gas mileage andcomfortable ride. I have had to put an O2 sensor in it after 1 week of ownership. Something that you cant predict of going out. I will keep you informed of my feelings of the car.
-
gas mileage!!! - 1997 Honda Civic
By amanda=) - December 24 - 10:00 amI bought this car strictly for the gas mileage. I commute quite a bit and this was important to me. The Idea that $10 will pretty much fill your tank, and I can almost all week on that tank. that really does alot for me. I can pretty much whatever I want in it. my civic is very versitile!!!! I didnt even like it when I bought it. but I think its growing on me.
-
nice car - 2000 Honda Civic
By sonjh81 - December 24 - 10:00 amSuch a nice car.
-
Great Vehicle - 2016 Honda CR-V
By Evie Sanders - December 24 - 12:31 amLove this car! Super comfortable, reliable and great looking too. Doesnt get quite as good gas mileage as my Honda Accord but that was to be expected with a bigger vehicle and AWD. I gave some questions a NA status since Ive had it less than a month. But so far...I LOVE IT!!!
-
Fun and Looks Nice - 2008 Honda Accord
By jcross - December 23 - 3:40 pmThis is my fourth Accord and Honda got most of it right. My 2008 190 HP EX-L Coupe is perfect for around town and short trips. The high end sound system is very good. Fit and finish and ergonomics are as you would expect from a Honda, very good. This Accord has more road noise than I like and the seats tend to be hard, unlike my other Accords. The V6 would be a better choice for folks that go on long road trips, have longer commutes or do allot of freeway driving. The rear brakes had to be serviced at 20k miles. Honda acknowledged that this was an issue and pro rated the fix. The Clear Coat may be an issue as it was on earlier Accords. Fuel mileage has been less than expected.
-
BROOKLYN ELEMENT - 2004 Honda Element
By CLIFF ZEMAN - December 23 - 3:14 pmLIKE THE EASE OF GETTING IN AND OUT. LOADS OF LEG ROOM IN THE REAR. LOVE THE RADIO AND CD SYSTEM. ONLY PROBLEM SO FAR IS THAT IT SEEMS IM ALWAYS GASING THE GUY UP. SOME TIME TWICES A WEEK FOR DRIVING AROUND IN NEW YORK CITY. I USE THE CAR TO GET TO AND FROM FROM DIFFERENT WORK SITES. MAYBE A LARGER GAS TANK NEXT TIME.
-
Great SUV, but poor seats and transmission - 2012 Honda CR-V
By Floyd - December 22 - 10:18 amAfter 42000 miles I have had great around town results. The only problems I have had are with the seats and transmission (which was covered under warranty). The seats are hard and after an hour of driving become uncomfortable, nothing like the great ride from my 1998 Chrysler Town and Country, which I use on any trips longer than an hour. The transmission started shuddering when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear and was replaced at 33000 miles. I understand the newer models use a CVT transmission. I plan to keep the car for around town driving.
-
Evaluation of our 2004 Honda Odyssey - 2004 Honda Odyssey
By Rich Stagg - December 22 - 9:59 amAt 14000 miles we are generally very pleased with the van. The ride is smooth, reasonably good mileage for a van this size and performance has been very good. Excellent storage capacity for a minivan. We have no regrets in the fact we purchased this van over several other makes we researched and test drove. However, after seeing the 2005 models I wished we had waited as they have made several nice feature improvements in the 2005 especially internally. Also like the 2005 exterior styling as something different from thesame old same old style. If the van continues to perform as currently we will trade for another in the future.
-
Honda Accord 8,180 Reviews
-
Honda Accord Crosstour 175 Reviews
-
Honda Accord Hybrid 119 Reviews
-
Honda Accord Sedan 1 Reviews
-
Honda Civic 6,669 Reviews
-
Honda CR V 108 Reviews
-
Honda CR-V 4,333 Reviews
-
Honda CR-Z 66 Reviews
-
Honda Crosstour 32 Reviews
-
Honda Element 1,560 Reviews
-
Honda Fit 1,073 Reviews
-
Honda Fit EV 1 Reviews
-
Honda HR-V 172 Reviews
-
Honda Insight 447 Reviews
-
Honda Odyssey 3,253 Reviews
-
Honda Passport 170 Reviews
-
Honda Pilot 3,304 Reviews
-
Honda Prelude 428 Reviews
-
Honda Ridgeline 880 Reviews
-
Honda S2000 898 Reviews