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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  Best decision of my life! - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Isabella Gabrovsky - June 2 - 4:58 am

  Safe and fun to drive with a deceptive amount of storage.

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  Happy with Honda - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By vanman - June 1 - 8:13 pm

  Needed to respond based on the reviews of some grouchy drivers not happy with their Odysseys. Have had my Odyssey since new. Very little trouble (125k mi). Good power when needed, but decent gas mileage (18-20) for a people mover. With 4 growing boys, have thought about moving up to a Yukon XL. Nothing against the GMC but there are a ton of used ones for sale. Not many used Odysseys. People are happy with them and keep them.

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  Bumpy Ride - 2007 Honda Fit
  By nic815 - June 1 - 8:07 pm

  This car is not good if you are planning to have children, you cant fit the stroller in the trunk with many grocery bags. The back seat is small and with the car seat you can only fit one adult. There is not much leg room for a tall man in the passenger seat, your knees hit the dash board. Unless you live where the roads are paved smooth this car isnt for you, if you go over a pebble it feels like you wrecked the car. I didnt know the tires didnt have locks, and some low life robbed all my alloy wheels and tires, cost 1,000.

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  One Year With The Odyssey EXL-Navi - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Rich - June 1 - 12:49 pm

  A follow-up review from our first month of ownership. My wife and I bought the van for long trips. Using 91 octane at 60-65 mph we average 27-28 MPG. Mileage in town 21 MPG using a light foot on the accelerator. Combined mileage about 22-23. Very comfortable on long trips. Navi great, seats great, maneuverability great for van, entry/exit seat height great, noise control OK, front suspension OK, mileage better than SUV, exterior looks great, gauge legibility great, headlight projection great, dash design dated (think JDM), interior plastic too cheap. Upgrade the 2010 interior plastic to match the 2009 Pilot.

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  Great Van, but... - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By First Odyssey - June 1 - 10:05 am

  We love our new Odyssey. We had good luck with our 2000 Grand Caravan but the Honda looked better this time. We have just a few minor issues though, the digital displays are all over the dash and look like they were borrowed from a ten dollar watch. The clock and climate control settings are hard to see when the sun is out, and theres no constant display of the odometer except as one of three or four display options with the trip computer. And, whats with no compass? The daytime running lights/headlights have confused me as I have an automatic headlight switch on my other vehicle.

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  Great except for gas mileage - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Melanie - June 1 - 9:06 am

  Im surprised in other comments that most people get much better gas mileage than I do. I get around 17 in town and 24 on the highway, and I dont drive that aggressively. At first I thought it was winter driving conditions, but it gets about the same in the summer as it does in the winter, regardless of the ethanol in the gas or the snow on the ground. Im getting rid of it now that Im moving to a southern state and will be doing a lot of in-town driving. Its an okay car and I do like it, but totally not worth the gas- guzzling aspect of it. One good thing I have to say is that Im getting a better trade-in value than I had expected. At least other people think its a great vehicle.

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  Excellent Choice - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By JV - June 1 - 7:46 am

  We chose the Pilot over the Buick Enclave and traded in our Buick Ranier (which we had thoroughly enjoyed for almost 5 years). The Pilot has more than exceeded our expectations and, at this point, is the most enjoyable vehicle we have ever owned. Increased gas mileage over the Ranier is also a plus. The Pilot has the best-designed and most usable, roomy interior we have ever seen. Combine that with a striking exterior and fun-to-drive performance, then wrap it up in Honda dependability and you have a package that is hard to beat. Did I mention that the Pilot was $6000 less than the Enclave? We also own a Honda Ridgeline and love both of our Hondas!

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  Safest Hybrid on the Road - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Jon Allen - June 1 - 3:56 am

  I have driven Zip Car share vehicles since 2000, and so I knew well my options. The Prius was a perfectly nice car to drive, but I couldnt avoid noticing that it is dangerous to backup without making a sound, and the car is narrow and without great crash performance. The Civic Hybrid, on the other hand, is just like a regular Civic, only the gas engine can stay below 1500 RPM without lugging, a truly impressive feeling when you are averaging over 47 MPG in stop and go traffic. I would not reccommend it for anyone who mostly drives on the highway, but then, that is not what any hybrid does well, unless you can plug it in to a cheaper and/or cleaner energy source.

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  Horrid OS for such a cool car - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Renee - June 1 - 12:12 am

  Loved the car right off. Road handling and acceleration is superb. Operating system is awful. Computer screen goes black, very slow to respond, currently cannot even change climate Temps because computer wont power up touch screen. SLAVE to OS.

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  Awesome car - 2007 Honda Accord
  By dmsnms - May 31 - 11:54 pm

  I just traded my lease in for a horrible 09 Civic. Boy do I miss my Accord! Great styling, smooth ride, loved the trunk space and LED tail lights, engine performance was fabulous. Had enough room for two car seats in the back with room for an adult to sit as well.