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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  2008 RTL - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By MBB - July 4 - 2:58 am

  The Ridgeline is turning out to be a near perfect vehicle for me. Im a salesman, driving about 50K yearly, so my vehicle needs to be comfortable as well as practical. The Ridgelines innovative trunk swallows up a couple of big plastic tubs full of catalogs, plus I can still get a garment bag flat on top of the tubs and get the lid closed, so that works great! Plus, my golf clubs fit perfectly under the back seat. So, for a full week of travel, everything I need either goes in the trunk or under the back seat other than my briefcase with laptop, which I dont trust to anything other than the back seat.

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  Smal SUV w/ middle SUV interior room - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By atu - July 4 - 2:50 am

  roomy, quiet, good fuel economy. best in class!

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  Honda VP after SAAB 93 - 2006 Honda Accord
  By William - July 4 - 2:50 am

  Car runs great, no problems so far, very comfortable ride, Driver seat not as comfortable 93 SAAB, otherwise the ride is nice and smooth. Car is really roomy too. Nice power on the expressway and around the city. Gas mileage not too good during breakin period, hopefully it gets better, I have 200 miles on the car so far is on my second tank of gas, re-fueled at 200 miles/half tank. Bought new wheels, hub caps not for me. Nice car!

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  OPEC Can Kiss My Toe. - 2007 Honda Accord
  By greenchili - July 4 - 1:45 am

  Outstanding quality sedan that got a little over 30 mpg with tailwind doing about 85 mph on 350 mile trip. However, going into the tailwind dropped mileage down to 26 mpg. We also did a 1500 mile round trip for $130 in gas during first of May 2008. It feels so good to NOT send so much money to the middle east.

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  Excellent minivan! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By banana face - July 3 - 9:43 pm

  I purchased this 2008 Honda Odyssey Touring in February and its the best van I ever bought. It has a really powerful engine which provides a forceful and strong pull. I have have a little over 20,000 miles and there is no problems. It feels rock solid and expensive when compared to the cheap Toyota Sienna. I averaged 30.6 mpg on a 2000 mile highway road trip. Much better then competition like Toyota or Nissan. Go Honda Products!

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  Civic Si - 2006 Honda Civic
  By lakeside - July 3 - 7:20 pm

  I am so happy I bought this car. I have arround 12,000 miles and I still enjoy driving it whether it is 5 miles or a hundred miles. If youre looking for a great car for a great price this is the one.........

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  A quality car - 2002 Honda Civic
  By rstuart - July 3 - 4:53 pm

  We bought our Civic a year ago used and it has been such a quality car. We have the 5 spd and it regularly gets 30 mpg in the city. We have not had a single problem with the car and it is 6 years old already! The interior is high quality, especially considering this used to be Hondas entry-level car. Yeah, it isnt the most comfortable car to ride in or the most quiet, but after a while you dont notice it anymore, or you just naturally forgive the car because it takes care of you at the pump and by not breaking down. If there is one thing I would change on the car, it would be the A/C. It just cant cool the car down on a day when the temp is over 100 degrees. Our next car will be a civic!:)

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  Love this Car - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Jenna Sollner - July 3 - 4:46 pm

  I upgraded by 1995 Civic DX Coupe with the EX-L w/ sensing. I love the adaptive cruise control, and have gotten many comments about the looks of my car. Its so comfortable and I really enjoy driving it.

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  Luxury sedan with room for 7 - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By steve - July 3 - 11:13 am

  We initially went to look for mid-sized SUVs, with all of the bells and whistles. Then by chance we stopped into a Honda dealer, just to look. Wow, is this minivan loaded! And comfortable too! Yeah its not as stylish as some of the SUVs. But theres more room and you end up with about $10,000 to spend on something else.

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  2008 Odyssey Touring - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Ted - July 2 - 6:30 pm

  I traded in my old 2001 Odyssey EX w/NAV for a 2008 Odyssey Touring w/o PAX. Its been about month since I purchased it and everybody loves it. The $3,000. discount off of MSRP from the dealer was a big incentive. In terms of quality, comfort, fun to drive, handling, and entertainment features, its been great for my wife and our kids. For such a complex vehicle with all of its gadgets, there has not been one defect so far; not even a rattle or squeak. The only negative I have seen so far is the mileage is not all that good. My average mpg is around 14. My old 2001 Odyssey had better average mpg at 18.