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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  Honda lack of quality now! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By andres - March 7 - 10:30 am

  Honda lack of quality now, is is not what all people think. I just get rid of a 2007 civic. In the 3 years I had it for, I had to take it to the dealer to replace the Torque converter on the transmission, the stereo system replaced since it stopped working, the steering wheel replaced since it started to peel off, the battery wasnt charging as it should be. Lot of vibration on the engine while idling, and let me tell you that the MPG is not what you think, only 24 mpg on the city at most and 29 at highway. The dealer keep telling me there was nothing wrong with the car until I took it time after time to them to fix it. in addition paint gets chips and scratched easily, gets dented easyly.

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  Heated Drivers Seat - FIRE HAZARD! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By LorenzoRota - March 5 - 3:26 pm

  My 2004 Honda Pilot with 39,000 miles has problem with the drivers side seat heater. It gets dangerously hot to point of burning. If you to to the NHTSA incident database or to Edmunds discussion group , you will find several complaints about this same exact problem. All complaints reference a 2004 Pilot: seat gets EXTREMELY HOT on right side of driver seat. Some people have had FIRES OR SMOKE coming from seat. I contacted Honda Customer service and they refused to acknowledge any problem or to remedy the problem reported as a safety problem. Yes, it is out of warranty but a seat FIRE is a serious safety issue!

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  Not an Accord - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By DrivesWell - February 24 - 1:47 pm

  After having a troublefree Honda 1990 Accord for 240,000 miles, my expectations were high for the Odyssey. I was initially worried about 2 things: Honda bragged that the Odyssey was built on an Accord chassis (but weighs half-again as much!), and the automatic side doors (always takes a few years for any new mechanical device to get the bugs out). Sure enough: balky sliding doors that frequently freeze shut in wet, freezing weather. Several $1000+ repairs: shocks, fuel system, and now at 132,000 miles,transmission. Presumably because they have so many going out, they recently bumped the transmission remanufactured price by about $1000 (making money off their poor workmanship?).

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  long term prospect - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By WAIT AND SEE - February 23 - 2:10 pm

  i bought pilot over highlander only because of my concern over the untested toyotas syncro transmission. Pilot has some troubling flaws. lots of highway wind noise, grinding/pulsating in anti lock brakes at right front upon turning (dealer says normal), gas makes loud sloshing sound when tank full (is that why the tank was not full at test ride), upgraded radio has volume limited and mine pulled to the right off the lot which dealer blamed on curvature of the road. But have owned hondas in the past, and looking to own this car long term. time will tell if i made a good investment.

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  Hindsight is 20/20 - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Ms+Zee - February 22 - 5:29 pm

  Purchased this vehicle @ 80K miles 9 mos. ago w/ 12K mile extended warranty. 93K miles tranny starts slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear. Then 1st and 2nd gear. No more extended warranty and Honda dealer says its nothing they can do. This is absolutely ridiculous $4000 to have my tranny rebuilt and $6300 for brand new. I paid $10,000 for the car.

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  i love it,i hate it - 1996 Honda Passport
  By pitbull - February 22 - 8:09 am

  I recently bought my passport used,with 120.000 miles on it,it initially ran great until it decided to drop every solenoid and control devices to actuate the 4wd, after repairing all that, it then decided to fail just about every emission control sensor/device under the hood ive replaced the a/i/c, the m/a/p,t/p/s and the m/a/f, and still have problems with a check engine light and, driveability....like i said its really a joy to drive when it wants to run. also to my dismay,it being an isuzu..there are isuzu parts, general motors parts,and some componentry that can be listed as idk???? so the prices for these parts vary from expensive to outrageous. i love it i hate it....

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  I thought this was a Honda....... - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By BMWfantic - February 21 - 11:44 am

  We thought we were buying a Typical bulletproof Honda in February of 2007 when the car had 18K miles on it and was BABIED for the first owner. The car is comfortable and the interior material is quite good for the price and the car was fairly reliable until about 70K miles. Then the car started jerking when we went about 45 MPH. And the engine check decides when to turn on and off. Turns out the car had a bad 4th gear and needs a new transmission for an outrageous 3500 dollars. What a money. Now we need to dump and get a new car- about 2 years ahead of schedule. This is our first and last Honda. Dont buy these model years- the transmission fail VERY quickly!

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  Left wanting more - 2009 Honda Fit
  By harmony - February 15 - 2:16 pm

  I bought my Fit almost a year ago so have had plenty of time to think about it and reflect on my purchase. At first sight I liked the color and enjoyed the interior features such as the magic seats and navigation system. After having driven it over 6000 miles now I regret to say that if I could go back I would pick a different vehicle. Driver is uncomfortable on long drive with very little back support and small arm rests. front passenger has no arm rest at all. Over all the car was worth the small price, but next time spend a little more and get something better. Sorry Honda, not one of your best models over all. Oh and p.s. honda, teach your sales reps more about the fit. misleading.

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  Disgusted with Honda - 2009 Honda Civic
  By TPTV - February 10 - 11:12 pm

  I will never buy another Honda. Honda ought to be embarrassed to have their name on this car. Although I just bought the car last year, I have had it at the dealership to have numerous flaws repaired or replaced under the warranty: (1)windshield replaced due to distortions (2) door handles and side mirrors replaced due to the lack of quality paint job (3) front and rear bumpers painted due to lack of quality paint job (4) the regulators in the front doors had to be replaced when the windows stopped going down all the way and (5) the moldings that cover-up the front side airbags show gaps when it should be flush mounted.

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  Honda Fit 2008 - 2008 Honda Fit
  By kgsull - February 9 - 8:45 am

  Even though Im not crazy about the looks, I do enjoy driving the car...for me its comfortable, accelerates well, and gets very good mileage. Recently the battery wouldnt start, and after reading other forums regarding this issue, I see that there are many, many people with even more mileage and less that have had either the same problem (battery not charging), or battery dieing within less than 2 years! That is why I gave it a low reliability rating. The battery is not replaceable either (no one seems to make a similar size so one is stuck with the poor quality battery).