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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  Think twice - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Regretful - November 14 - 10:08 am

  Well, all the rave about the Pilot is over rated. Its a 6 cylinder...then a 4 cylinder! I needed a 6 cyl...as told repeated to the salesman...to tow heavy handicap equipment for my mother. I am disappointed in the road noise, but mostly Honda itself. Why tell people this is a great car? Maybe it is for most. But when you need specifics, Chapman Tucson should have directed me to something more to my needs. 30 days later, I am trading it in!

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  1996 Honda Passport 4 DR LX 4WD Wagon - 1996 Honda Passport
  By Imposter - November 13 - 2:46 pm

  Wow. Honda sure pulled the wool over the eyes of some of us naive Honda lovers. I am driving nothing more than an Isuzu Rodeo with Honda emblems. Bought this vehicle with 80K miles in 03. Since then, I have replaced 3 electric window motors, two rear gate gas shocks and it has a constant lifter ticking for which there doesnt seem to be a solution. A good looking SUV, especially in 1996 but this one is "egg on the face" for Honda Motors.

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  Poor reliability, worse dealer service - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Matt Cash - November 4 - 10:00 am

  My first and last Honda Accord...Mine is loaded with the V-6 and has had trips to the dealer four times for brake problems. I have never ridden in a car with as many rattles and squeaks. I would file a lemon law but I want to sell and get out of the car. I also had AWFUL service at the dearlership and Honda did not seem to give a rip that their "crowned jewel" of reliability was having so many problems. Buy anything else.

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  Worst Car - 2005 Honda Accord
  By AT - November 3 - 1:10 pm

  2 weeks after I bought the car the tranny started to act up, jerking violently in low gears. Now 12,000, brakes were changed twice, engine is making weard noises as is the rest of the car.

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  REGRET BUYING THIS CAR! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By HATE THIS CAR! - November 2 - 10:29 am

  Terrible seats and driving position, no armrest nor left foot rest. Automatic transmission has a 3-4 second hesitation when you step down on it at low speeds, 2-4 mph, before it downshifts to 1st gear. This is very dangerous at intersections, and has almost gotten me t-boned on several occasions. They are all like this, according to Honda, who could care less. I drove 2 others and they have the same hesitation. Honda should be forced to recall the automatic Fits and fix this dangerous defect! This has really soured me on Honda, even though I had no problems with previous Hondas. Not enough power. Gas mileage less than expected. Handling, cargo capacity good. Can hardly wait to get rid of it!

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  Sold the car. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By John VanDerWege - November 1 - 4:24 am

  I bought this vehicle based on having driven my sisters 2013 CRV. This is a very different vehicle. The transmission never engages. When I need to get in an acceleration lane and get up to speed it never takes hold. If you floor it it really confuses it and it starts to fluctuate up and down. I had a 2005 Honda pilot before this and I was ready to take a step down but the storage and fit and finish on this vehicle is not even in the same universe. The console and door storage are poorly thought out and are near useless. My pilot was the exact opposite. I know Honda is chasing good gas milage to compete but in my opinion this was a big miss. I would go so far as to say this vehicle is dangerous if you are going to take it out in traffic.

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  dont buy until they fix this massage chair - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By justin - September 29 - 5:51 pm

  We very much like the new design and new features but the new cvt is the problem, hopes that they fill fix it quickly. Also they hiked the price.

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  This SUV might kill you. - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By JeromyW - September 26 - 6:33 pm

  I hope it doesnt. In fact I hope you read this, avoid buying the 2016 (or 17) Honda Pilot, and avoid the same mistake our family made. When my wife and I test drove the 2016 Honda Pilot we were not terribly impressed with its acceleration but that was not why we were looking at a new Honda. We were looking for something reliable and Honda has had a great track record in that regard. So, even though we were not over the moon about the Pilot when we test drove it, we thought this is going to last 10+ years and is, therefore, a wise purchase. Boy, were we wrong! One problem with the Honda Pilot is the 9 speed transmission. My 1972 Chevelle shifts smoother than this. When you drop this Honda in drive first thing in the morning, the first-second gear shift will try to separate a few vertebrae... it is brutal. Once warmed up, this transmission is better, but still not so good. Especially in stop and go traffic where you will experience many times where the transmission seems completely out of touch with the throttle, leading to "rev rev rev... wham!". You *will* need a chiropractor if you have to drive in stop and go traffic with this machine. Also, this transmission has a history of early failure already. However, that transmission wont be the thing that kills you. The Honda Sensing system will. Lets say that you are on a highway going 70 mph when someone going 20 mph slower than you pulls out 3 car lengths in front of you. In that situation our Honda Pilot will SLAM on the brakes HARD causing anyone behind us to weave desperately into the adjoining lane or shoulder to keep from hitting us in the rear. Or lets say that you are going around a bend on a country road, the Honda Sensing system gets confused and again SLAMS on the breaks in the middle of hard bend. Lets say you survive the Honda Sensing system... will you be able to survive the throttle? Lets say you are in stopped trying to turn left across rapidly moving traffic. You need your car to move when you step on the gas. The Honda Pilot will occasionally toss in a 5-7 second delay in response time, just to add to the challenge. Did I mention the $200 oil changes? This is because, in our case, about the time we needed to change the oil, the "B16" code would be thrown on the info system, indicating that the rear diff also needed to be changed. This prompted the service manager at our local Honda shop to exclaim, "what is wrong with these new Pilots?!"

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  No Support - 2012 Honda Accord
  By Robert - September 24 - 11:51 am

  Purchased a 1 year old Honda Accord For my daughter 2 years ago 10000 miles when purchased 39000 now and the Rack and Pinion steering went out read 2 message boards and found several (over 50 ) Honda Accord owners have had the same issue with low miles and yet Honda does NOT back there product $1200-$1500 to repair a 3-1/2 year old car that was $24000 when purchased Not a happy Customer #Hondadoesnotbackthereproduct

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  Ill never get another Honda again - 1999 Honda Civic
  By A. Nymous - September 20 - 10:00 am

  This was the first new car Ive ever owned and it is the last Honda I will ever own. What a lemon! Ive had the entire electrical system replaced TWICE and still there are problems. I put the car in park, the radio shuts off. I press the cruise control, the dome light comes on. The engine cuts out or just wont start for no reason, I cant go over 50 mph with the AC on or it shoots to 5000 rpm, and the body quality is pathetic. I was "bumped" by an SUV at about 1 mph and it caused over $1500 in damages. I only wish he had hit me harder and totalled the car so I would never have to deal with it again. Not Honda, never again.