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:
Showing 701 through 710 of 31,869.00-
Acid or tree sap - 2016 Honda Accord
By AL - October 1 - 10:09 amIf you park your car outdoors and it might be under a tree, tree sap may bubble your paint like it was acid and Honda will do nothing to address it. So dont park your car outdoors. It also does not say anything about this in the warranty. The paint quality of Honda has gone down hill. Had 5 Hondas, 4 Accords and this has been the most disappointing. Will never purchase another Honda again.
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Should have bought a Mazda3 5 door. - 2007 Honda Civic
By Douglas Parent - September 29 - 2:00 amOne year into ownership, purchased it new. Ive owned 3 previous Hondas and 1 Acura so I thought it would be a no brainer. The ride is pretty rough, the steering and handling is excellent. The seats really are not bad at all, a 2 hour trip to LA and back is not difficult for a compact. My mileage is around 325 per tank. I drive it kinda hard, my last car was a VR6 GTI and I MISS THAT CAR for the overall driving experience. I have 16K on this one. Drivers side visor just broke and I hardly use it. Automatic transmission was not a good choice for this size engine, not smooth and robs power. Im a stick guy anyway, oh well. Time to sell this and get another hatchback, there are lots of choices.
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I should have bought Camry - 2014 Honda Accord
By Siggy - September 28 - 3:50 pmWhile the car is not bad, there many things which are extremely cheaply made. My car just past the basic warranty started to have trouble with rear door actuator. Honda wants $300.00+ to replace it. I had many different cars with power doors like Mazda, Toyota and Nissan and never had so many annoying problems. I should have paid the $500 more and bought the Toyota Camry. There is a reason why Toyotas are rated excellent by Consumer Reports and Hondas are average. The old saying applies here that cheap becomes expensive. Also Honda does not stand behind its product. The actuator issue is not new, they even settle a class action suit for millions of dollars. It was on a different vehicle made by Honda, but I am sure that the parts are made by the same manufacturer.
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What a Disappointment - 2007 Honda Odyssey
By Momof2 - September 28 - 2:09 pmIve owned Hondas in the past and found them reliable, so I blindly chose the Odyssey when it was time for a minivan. Big mistake. This huge "mini" van drove like a bus, was difficult to park, and had problems the dealer was not able to fix. At 20K miles, the rotors warped, the front tires had to be replaced, and the front wheels were constantly out of balance. At 25K miles, the engine mounts failed, followed by the torque converter and the A/C. It vibrated all the time while driving and the dealer could do no more. Reading the reviews on this model year, I found Im not the only one with these problems. I just traded it in on a Sienna and have never been happier.
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Not as good as others - 1997 Honda Accord
By Asian user - September 27 - 10:00 amgot it from a private party with 85,000 miles on it. The trans is jerking in the "slow & go" situation. Wont happen when its " Stop & go". Thats why I didnt find out at the test drive. I have been a Toyota fan for more than 8 years, their trans just smooth like silk. Been to shop (not dealer), they told trans jerk on high mileage Accord are very common. No solution unless change a used one-$1,200. Also, many of the repair cost are higher than Toyota. it does have one advantage: its timing belt need to replace every 90,000 miles, not 60,000.
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Very Disappointed - 2005 Honda Odyssey
By Disappointed - September 24 - 7:44 amWe were so excited to buy this van, and were really looking forward to many years of service from the vehicle. Now, heres the reality weve dealt with the last 4 years: 3 power steering pumps Passenger side window assembly Drive shaft Front rotors and finally, rear engine mounts. What happened to Honda quality? Of course, Honda was no help on any of this. Should have gotten the extended warranty.
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Disappointing - 2003 Honda Accord
By AMitch - September 23 - 5:49 pmPurchased an Accord because of the famed reliability, but over the two years of ownership have found issues constantly creep up, often repeating, even after taking to the dealer to be addressed. Its a fun ride, spacious, and fuel efficient, but the annoyance of sometimes monthly visits to the shop have significantly reduced my trust in the product. Am far less likely to buy a Honda in the future Toyotas quality seems much higher now.
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This LEMON should be selling lemonade! - 2003 Honda CR-V
By mbpace - September 23 - 5:22 pmWe bought this car new in May 2003. 2 weeks later the radio stops working. Its "fixed" and then stops working 2 months later. This time the radio is replaced. About 15 months later radio goes out again. After "fixing" twice, radio is replaced AGAIN! Dec 2003 drivers seat wont lock in place fixed 2 times and then new seat put in. Feb 2005 locks dont work and fixed Apr 2006 CD player stops working "fixed" Sept 2007 A/C compressor- pin shears off and sends metal fragments through A/C, entire system replaced Jan 2009. CD player wont release CDs Sept 2009 A/C broken AGAIN, bucking like a horse when idle $1500 to fix what they "think" is wrong since car drove ok for them except for A/C!
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This van is a piece of junk - 2001 Honda Odyssey
By Rhonda - September 23 - 4:16 pmWe have owned this van for 2 years, bought it with 113000 miles and have already spent 1800 on it. Now the transmission and catalytic converter are going out. I am so angry at Honda for keeping this van on the road.
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Dont buy this car! - 2007 Honda Fit
By Roch53 - September 20 - 7:29 pmThis car is awful. I feel so unsafe in this car plus it is so uncomfortable and I am very short. The car rattles and the mechanics cant find the problem. Gas mileage is not what they say it is. The tires that come with the car do not last. I would not recommend this car to anyone.
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