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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  Nice vehicle, subpar audio system! - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Parijat Juvale - March 24 - 3:53 pm

  I have owned Accord 2015 for almost 3 months now and I love it! Adequate pick up, excellent mileage, not much wind/road noise, quite comfortable. Ride quality could be firm for some but I find it fine. Gas mileage is as advertized, in fact many times I exceed it. But then I have a very light foot! I do have reservation about 2 screens though! I dont understand why there are 2 screens, which makes menu system unnecessarily complicated. I guess just one, little bit larger touch screen should suffice. Secondly, the audio system sucks! The sound quality is ridiculously bad. My decade old Toyota had a better sounding stereo!

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  Horrible interior quality - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By rvaldez3 - March 23 - 11:00 pm

  Ive been a loyal honda consumer for years!! Although I love my pilot I am very disappointed on the quality of the interior. The center arm rest completely tore. I mean, I paid extra for leather interior, come to find out that center arm rest is absolutely not leather but a super thin plastic material. The door arm rest also has torn. Same cheap material. I dont get it. Im not an abusive driver or car owner. I am very careful with my cars. Very disappointed.

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  Ongoing mechanical failures - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By hcooley3 - March 23 - 4:58 pm

  We purchased our 2014 Oddy in late 2013 after testing out all other competing vans. We loved the styling, the way the van drove, and believed in Honda reliability. Fast forward 18 months and we cannot wait to get rid of this van. The transmission went out two months ago at 16K miles (replaced) and was quickly followed by failed power steering (also replaced). The van was towed to the dealership this morning because we found a 3-foot diameter puddle of fresh transmission fluid on our garage floor. The tranny issues started as other people have written in their reviews. People, beware of this van. We are lobbying the dealership and Honda Corporate for a replacement.

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  Accord: nice features, awful ride quality - 2015 Honda Accord
  By ks1234 - March 20 - 9:04 pm

  After driving a Camry for years, I bought a new 2015 Accord LX last week. Boy do I regret it. Just sitting in the Camry and Accord, there is no comparison - the Accord is nicer, has more standard features, and appears to be more solidly built. On my test drive I noticed that the ride was pretty bumpy but I wrote that off to the lousy condition of the local roads. The uh-oh moment came the next day on my ride to work when my brand new Accord found road bumps that I never knew existed. Im sure its just personal preference, but I find the ride quality to be HORRIBLE. For all the would-be Accord buyers out there, please test drive thoroughly before you buy. I wish I had.

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  My First Minivan turned me into a Lifer! - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By kimbersw - March 19 - 2:06 pm

  I would rate this van outstanding. We bought it new and drove it for 38,000 miles. We loved it so much we just traded it for a 2015 Odyssey Touring Elite to keep current. Well never stray from the odyssey. Our 2012 was the best vehicle weve ever owned- comfortable beyond our expectations, high-quality feel, and rides like a car- the Honda Accord to be specific. If you want performance and luxury in a minivan, this is the way to go. The lower trims are all nice, the Elite just takes it a step above. The top-performing van will always be a part of our family, thanks to our excellent experience with this one. Great job, Honda!

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  Worst car Ive ever owned. - 2011 Honda Civic
  By cubs_fan35 - March 17 - 2:56 pm

  I bought a 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid certified-used with 38,000 miles on it last October. I hate this car. I was looking for a hybrid and I very unfortunately walked into a dealership and was met by an unscrupulous salesman who really put the heat on me when he sensed my hesitation to take the car home that same night. Thats my fault and Ive been reminded of my mistake every day since I signed on the dotted line. The interior of this car is unrefined and uninspired, its incredibly slow (I expected a dip in performance with a hybrid but nothing like this), and Ive had nothing but problems with the car for the past few months. Within the first two months of ownership, my IMA light came o

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  This might anger the 8th gen fans - 2012 Honda Civic
  By co_luv - March 16 - 9:50 am

  Sorry guys but in terms of factory performance and day to day driving. This takes the cake. Yes its a tight race on the streets (From a dig, though honda kids dont know anything but roll starts), but in the SCCA events I have used the 9th gen in, it blows my times from the 8th Gen I traded to get it. It is still more oriented to day to day driving so I get the pain. It doesnt feel Raw like the 8th Gen. Then again I said that when I traded my GSR for the 8th gen. This car is solid, has proven me well both on the track and on the streets.

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  Like it so far - 2015 Honda Fit
  By Dan Limitone - March 15 - 10:47 pm

  New owner with Two weeks and 700 miles now. Purchased the EX with CVT Transmission. So far gas mileage is 38-41 mpg. The engine is pretty spunky however when climbing hills the CVT tends to make the engine work to find the perfect spot...so it gets a little busy. Ive had newer Civics, CRVs and find them a little quieter and refined but also realizing the price point on the Fit it seems a fair trade off. Purchased on the last day of the month so after calling around I feel I got a fair price and didnt have to travel far. So far, so good.

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  Almost 100,000 and still going good - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By Mario Matias - March 15 - 3:04 pm

  Im at 90,000 miles and havent really had any major problems with the vehicle. Only thing Ive had to replace is my tires. The only unscheduled issues Ive had is problems with the trucks trim. It is a little cheap and not secured very well. A piece of the windshield trim flew off and I have a few other pieces of trim that are coming loose. Thats not too big of a deal though. Its a nice family suv, its very reliable and easy to work on. The pull-out table in the trunk is a nice little added feature also. I do recommend getting better tires if you want to take full advantage of the AWD. I definitely recommend this vehicle though.

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  Stay away from this one - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Matthew Hamann - March 15 - 2:16 pm

  While Accords are typically reliable cars, they seem to have frequent transmission problems. Unless you find one of these for dirt cheap (including an already rebuilt transmission), I suggest looking for a different car entirely. My 2000 Accord got to about 130,000 and suddenly developed severe transmission issues. Its now approaching 140,000 and Im still driving it 20+ miles to work every day, but every day I get in, I wonder if it will make it home. I asked Honda for some good-will in helping me fix the transmission (even a discount wouldve been fine!) since these cars are known for their transmission woes, but they flatly declined. I dont see myself buying another Honda.