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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  More problems than you would think - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By rj - August 7 - 12:34 pm

  Car did well right up to the end of the rather weak warranty. After 90K some really annoying repairs... chief of which was the endemic defects involving the AC Compressor. O2 Sensors went before that and before that the blower motor. Having heat last winter and AC this summer has been a real challenge. Honda was no help with repairs which is disturbing since the AC Compressor is an obvious problem throughout the country.

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  2009 Honda fit manual tranny - 2009 Honda Fit
  By leahcim2009 - August 7 - 12:24 pm

  I have had this car for about three weeks and love the car. I currently own a 2008 civic and was thinking of getting another one but the versatility of the fit was its best selling point. Good gas mileage as well as the ability to fold the seats about 10 different ways has made it easy to haul cargo. Suggestions do not buy any accessories at the dealer as you can find online for much less.

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  2004 Honda Accord - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Marsh - August 7 - 6:10 am

  The Accord is not only reliable but a competent, well equipped car for everyday commuting and travel and for the occasional sporty run. Handling could be better on aggressive manuevers but still is surprisingly adequate.

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  Fantastic - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Tom - August 7 - 4:56 am

  I own my own shop and my son who is 14 wanted to "do up " a Honda, so we bought a used Civic with 190,000 miles and added bolt ons.The performance increase was outstanding and gas mileage did not suffer thus I decided to buy a new Honda due to gas prices. I never heard of the Fit but my son did some research. Well we bought the Fit and I must say that around town im getting 34mpg, the vehicle is worth every penny and the comfort level is superb. This vehicle is worth thousands more so get yours while they are still resonable.I rate it 10 out of 10

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  Where is the reliability? - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Joy - August 6 - 10:56 pm

  Bought 2006 Civic LX because of its incredible reliability history but having a real hard time keeping this newly designed car healthy. Got tired of taking my new car to dealership almost every other week. I have already gone to the dealer to fix the passenger door, passenger seat sliding assembly, recalled accelerator padel, falling steering column cover, unfoldable backseat and today - both rear shock absorbers are leaking alarming amount of fluid - need to replace both. Got so freaked out, purchased the extended warranty as I have to buy it before 6000 miles. God knows whats next! Am I the only unlucky one? This is extremely poor quality control by Honda for a redesigned car.

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  Great Vehicle - 1997 Honda Odyssey
  By Racer X - August 6 - 10:00 pm

  Bought this van used from a private owner, has some high miles on it, but after hearing it, driving it, and drove it hard, to see how it responded to my testing, Im pretty impressed on the solid sound and ride the Honda drove. Ive owned a 1994 Honda wagon and I really liked the car, it was solid and had no what so ever any problems on the engine or drive train, it had hi miles on it and now that we have grand kids and need that extra room and have a the best a van can have on mpg of 24 city/29 hwy. Mixed 27. Kid you not, why, clean your injectors, set your spark plug cap to engine specs, tire pressure, and a good tuneup on the valve tappets and timing, you can achieve this kind of performance.

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  Reliable, Practical, but Boring - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By RyGuy - August 6 - 9:38 pm

  Very Comfortable and spacious. Definitely the best SUV for a family, because you can fit 3 people in both the middle and back rows. The reason we bought this vehicle is because we have two kids in car seats and my wife wanted to be able to sit in the back with them. This is the only SUV we could find that has the LATCH system in the middle seat. So we can put the two car seats together, and my wife can sit on the end. The reason this is handy is so that if others needed to access the third row, you wouldnt have to remove a car seat. That would be a pain! The third row seat is also actually quite spacious for adults. Great family car. The only thing is that its kinda boring to drive.

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  Awsome Truck - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By L - August 6 - 9:28 pm

  The truck is great. Im not trying to bad mouth anyone, but Im not too sure as to what another writer was stating in reference to the looks of the 09 versus to earlier models. The only changes are cosmetics, i.e. new grill, colors, and other minor changes. The truck is awesome. It has the same payload as the small F-150. Again not to knock Ford, but I dont need a truck that size. The Honda carries my sportbike. You will need a trailer or a bigger truck such as a Ford or Chevy to to carry a bigger bike due to the length not the weight. I live in a townhouse not on a ranch, and the Ridgline does everything I need. The truck drivers like a large Accord.

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  Be Careful - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Lee - August 6 - 9:09 pm

  Bought it new to replace a Plymouth Voyager. The Odyssey ranks right down there with Chrysler mini-vans in terms of reliability radio electrically shorted at 40,000 miles, transmission at 65,000 miles, front wheel bearing at 70,000 miles, motor mounts at 95,000 miles, passenger door window glide at 105,000 miles (had a cold 600 mile drive home without a passenger window in January as it broke on the week end), driver side window glide at 110,000 miles. Honda paid for the transmission and I PAID for everything else. Total for other items = approximately $2000. Electronic doors "hang" at times but at least they work for the most part. A very nice van IF you dont mind the repair bills.

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  SUV to Truck - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Lefty - August 6 - 8:41 pm

  I have been a SUV owner for the last 12 years, wanted a truck but never wanted to give up the space of an SUV. This has been the perfect cross over to a truck. Fun to drive, solid vehicle. Would highly recommend. I get 17 MPG.