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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  Somewhat fair - 2003 Honda Civic
  By karlkro - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this vehicle for 10mths and the ride drive needs to be improved, it needs alot more power or alot more gas saving, for the little power that it has it is not saving enough gas. Quality and reliability of vehicle is great however the exterior design needs improvement. It is not worth the price I pay for it - the price should be about 17,000 at the most 17,500.

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  Happy eith the LX-P - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Happy with the LX-P - March 16 - 7:16 pm

  Car is for 52" wife. She loves it! Chose the LX-P over LX for power seat & no hub cap rims. Driver seat is very firm & low. Have to get up to get out. Exterior is beautiful. Interior is nice, not stellar. Very functional with little compartments & sliding armrest. Road noise reduced by adding hood & trunk insulator for $150 via internet. Has more driver leg room than my 2005 4Runner. 5 speed automatic is smooth, but down shifts on slightest hills. It accelerates & handles very well. Fun to drive! Car is not a Maxima, BMW or a Lexas. Not meant to be. Good gas mileage at 24 MPH around town. In essence, we would select this model again.

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  Very Bad Brakes - 2009 Honda Accord
  By AlaninHanover - March 15 - 7:30 pm

  Car delivered with a bad vibration in the brakes. dealer replaced front rotors at 1100 miles. Back in at 15000 miles vibration back, dealer turned rear rotors. Customer service has been great all handled under new car warranty. I will not have this car much longer as the brake problems are well documented in this car. How Honda maintains its reputation for reliability is beyond me.

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  2008 LXP Accord 177 hp 4 Door - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Jersey Rob - March 13 - 4:33 pm

  This is my first Japanese car. Great car to drive hold the road very good and steering is tight. After driving it for a few months I found the seats are tough on the lower back on long runs and it need a few more inches to go back. Fuel mileage is disappointing 15/18 city 22/26 hwy. winter/summer. Very cheap paint and clear coat very chip happy. Good thing its leased for only 2 more years.

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  Transmission Problems - 2000 Honda Accord
  By lacoursl - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Loved this car when I got it. Ive taken it in twice for transmission work and it still slips. When I got the oil changed I was told it was leaking fluid...still. The cruise control went out and that took another day to be fixed. Some SRV? light has been on for months, I took it to the shop they told me to replace the battery and bring it back again. Ive had to take this car into the shop more than any other, I was told Hondas are never in the shop. I love the style of the car but disappointed at all the work.

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  Bloated and Oversized - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Stuart Florida - March 11 - 5:00 am

  This is my 4th Accord, my first was a 1983 model. This is definitely not the nimble Accord that I remember. The Accord has grown to from a compact to a midsize. The Accord suffers from the "bigger is better" American car syndrome. Older Accords were definitely economy cars, not bloated family sedans. The 07 model suffers from some surprising (for Honda) design flaws. The rear doors are oddly designed, forcing you to move far away when opening the door. The trunk is large but difficult to access, with a small opening. And no outside temperature gauge or fuel economy monitor, standard on most VWs. If youre looking for a fuel- saving efficient small car, the Accords not for you.

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  Roominess and storage with mpg and value - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Terry Gerkovich - March 9 - 12:04 pm

  Wanted roominess for travel without sacrificing too much in mpg. Also wanted high quality and value for price paid. The Honda CR-V with trim level EX-L met all our criteria better than any other vehicle.

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  Just ok not what I expected from Honda - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Lee - March 9 - 10:40 am

  First of all the vibration is real folks, there is now a tsb, out for it which greatly improves it at lower speeds , but it just seemed to move it to a higher speed. At 70 mph its like sitting in a vibromatic chair and it really wears on you over a distance. Its a weird vibe because it doesnt change frequency, regardless of road speed or engine rpm, its just there. Will be soon going back to dealer before warranty is out. We have gotten 36+ Mpg on trips and 24-28 around town with it so no real complaints there. Interior noise is 1000 x better than older crvs, we test drove some. Its my wifes vehicle and overall not bad, and she is happy with it, but being a former mechanic and tuned to notice small things in a car, the vibe does bug me especially with todays technology I think they could have done a better job on the drivetrain.

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  Bought used; tranny went bad - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Christopher Chapple - March 8 - 10:50 pm

  I bought this car in Nov of 2004 with about 42K miles. I come to find out that I am the third owner! At approx 60K miles, the transmission went bad and it will require $3200 in repairs. Thank God I bought an extended warranty. Another complaint I have is headroom-- there is none. Im constantly banging my head against the ceiling when I check my mirrors to go in reverse (and Im only 5-9). The stereo is pretty cool but it had to be replaced by Honda (they did it for free) because the whole display went black one day. So far, this car has been high maintainence but it is a fun ride. Im hoping I wont continue to have problems with it. My 95 Accord lasted 185K miles.

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  Some great features and some that need a little work - 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By tedpas - March 8 - 11:43 am

  I have owned my 2015 Accord Hybrid Touring for about 4 months now. It is a beautiful car from the outside and I have received loads of compliments from friends and neighbors. The interior is also nice looking and several friends love riding along with me in it. Honda hasnt done much yet to provide any videos explaining the numerous advanced features of the car and I know that I would find that helpful. From reading others reviews, I can tell that many owners dont understand how the drive train works. For example, it is an electrically powered car until about 45mph at which point, the direct lockup transmission connects the gas powered engine to drive the front wheels.