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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  Was good but no more - 1998 Honda Odyssey
  By A worker - April 15 - 4:53 pm

  Ours was a 98 LX. We owned it for 11 years. It ran smooth with conservative look and practical interior design. It was little lack on power and loud when speedup but was just functioning well. However, we are not that lucky as the owners here. Our Odysseys engine started to make noise a few weeks ago. 2 different mechanics said the same things, transmission was about to die. But it only had less than 90k miles! How could it be? We did all required oil change and timely maintenance. Thought we could drive it for 20 years. Traded in and bought a Toyota Highlander Sport. Its just different in all respects.

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  Best Honda I have ever owned!!! - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Hondalover - April 15 - 2:35 pm

  This is the 4th Pilot I have owned and it is by far the best one yet!! I cant believe all of the extra features on the 09 model. The ride and drive is awesome. I love the automatic back hatch. The bluetooth is great once you have it set up. It is very roomy and comfortable. The navigation system and backup camera are much bigger and clearer. You will not find a car with more features and comfort for the price.

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  Great Car! Very solid! - 1997 Honda Accord
  By Stephen - April 15 - 1:00 pm

  I have owned this car for 3 years and it has been almost perfect for me! It only has 102,000 miles on it and it could go on forever. I have recently just had to fix the transmission a bit because the torque converter locked up but that is due to most of my driving is done on the highway because I am a college student who drives 250 miles home twice a month or so. The engine is a tank and will run forever. No major complaints about this car at all. It was and still is my first car and I am looking to get many more years out of it. It is the perfect first car! It is not flashy, nor will it make anyone impressed, but it gets the job done efficiently. Honda is known for their solid cars and this is just another solid, well build car. I even put in an aftermarket touchscreen stereo and speakers. This car is very easy to modify or change out little things. 9.5/10

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  Great value, solid - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By Ryan Simmons - April 15 - 11:43 am

  This car is reliable and although it doesnt have much pickup it handles well and is an enjoyable ride. Wish the gas mileage was a little better and some of the interior materials were upgraded, but would definitely buy again for the price and the overall value.

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  I was in market for AWD SUV, but bought this... - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Jake McCoy - April 15 - 10:13 am

  I bought a 2016 Honda Accord LX with CVT for about $20k plus taxes and fees. I added aftermarket leather upholstery (Katzkin) for just over a grand. If you do not care about moonroof, keyless start, lower profile tires, Honda Sensing, or navigation, then you can save thousands by doing this. I know that sounds like a lot of things to go without. However, I sincerely did not want any of those items. Honda designed the LX trim almost perfectly for people like me. One thing I did want was the enhanced stereo of the EX-L. I was planning on putting in an upgraded aftermarket stereo into my LX. However, when I finally got the car, I realized the stock stereo is more than sufficient, and so I am keeping it. I actually fear that a stereo shop would put in a more expensive and more powerful stereo that will sound worse. I have had that happen before with another car. Anyway, for a solid two months, I was in the market for an AWD SUV. I had an extensive spreadsheet and everything. I test drove many SUVs. For the heck of it, I test drove Honda Accords in three trims: LX, EX, and EX-L V6. After that, I decided I did not need an SUV. The ride is smoother than any SUV I drove, which is expected because it is a sedan. However, the ride is also better than the Subaru Legacy. The only thing the Legacy is better at is its AWD system. If you can get over that, then the Accord is a better car. By the way, some reviewers have been complaining that they feel the road too much. That mainly is the consumers fault. Ill explain. People like the looks of low profile tires. So car makers have been giving it to them. But lower profile tires are automatically a stiffer ride, assuming similar suspensions. Until car makers figure out how to defy the laws of physics, this will always be the case. So, I present another argument in favor of getting the base model LX if you want a smoother ride. The rims are higher profile (smaller rims) than all of the upper trims. For me personally, higher profile tires are an UPGRADE. So, it is a win-win because I get to pay less. Other things... The base model LX has manual nobs (good thing) for the radio and does not have an extra screen for navigation. (The upper models have the touchscreen for volume control, for example.) To me, car navigation is worthless because I much prefer to use the superior Google Maps on my iPhone. The fuel economy is outstanding. It boggles my mind actually. This car gets better mpg than my little 2000 Honda Civic, and I always thought that car had really good mpg. A downside here is that I am now spoiled. It will be difficult for me to go back to an SUV as a main car.

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  Best Car For The Money - 1994 Honda Accord
  By Accord Ex - April 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car with 104,000 miles on it. It now has 120 and is running perfect. It is amazing to see a car with that kind of miles running so well. Honda makes a great vehicle, and offers the best customer service I have ever experienced. For being an 8 year-old car, I cannot think of another 94 vehicle out there that could even come close to matching this cars performance/reliability and most important looks/styling.

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  Awesome Car - 2000 Honda Civic
  By chardious - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Great car. Best car I have ever owned. When this one dies I will for sure buy a new honda

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  Concerned About Safety - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Diane Larkin - April 15 - 3:14 am

  After 6 weeks of driving the Honda Pilot Elite, I have a growing concern that the user interface to the electronics package may be a safety concern for drivers. I am very confident that Honda builds a safe vehicle in terms of physical structure, air bags and collision avoidance technology, but there is a "huge" distraction issue with the center stack of electronics (nav, audio, RES, cell phone). My concern is the drive must spend an inordinate amount of time interacting with the center stack touch screen. Is is very cumbersome and has many layers to accomplish simple tasks. To make it worse, after several touches on the screen, the finger prints show and if the sun hits the screen a certain way, you cannot see or read the information on the screen. I spend way too much time interacting with the screen when voice commands would accomplish the same thing in a more efficient and "safe" manor. The same principle applies to the RES (rear entertainment system). In order to play a DVD for a child, you must put the DVD in the center console, stop the vehicle, get in the back seat and use the rear control remote to start the movie playing. You cannot do this from the "Rear Audio" screen that shows on the center console. How inconvenient and dangerous (stopping on the side of an interstate highway) is this? What little voice activation has been provided by Honda is really useless. It is very slow and you usually end up using the touch screen which is not organized very well. I am really shocked at how little effort was put into the design of the electronics package. Again, this is a very "unsafe" system given the amount of time and effort the drive must expend at the expense of paying attention to the road!

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  Most stylish compact car - 2007 Honda Civic
  By luvmyhonda - April 14 - 4:23 pm

  I love this car and I can personally vouch for the safety ratings. A month after I bought this car, I was in a head on collision. My daughter and husband were in the car and we walked away without a scratch. This car handles well, has lots of storage space and I get 33 mpg (combo of city and hwy). Not to mention, it looks better than the Corolla, Sentra, and Mazda 3. Hondas last forever and for the price, you cant find a better deal. Not to mention, the resale is better than any other.

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  We Love Our CRV - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By B - April 14 - 4:21 pm

  We owned our Pre Owned CRV for 6 years and beat the heck out of it. Yes, it is true that the clock gave out years ago, and the cup holders are so shallow that your coffee gets tossed on the floor and rolls around down there once in awhile, and there is that little key problem on the drivers side door, but otherwise this car has had no major repairs, it always starts and is eager to go many miles. We really love our CRV and we would buy another one in a heartbeat.