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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  2500 mile vacation - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By allan d - March 13 - 5:10 pm

  Took a 2500 mile trip with my Honda LX. Best mileage was 26.47 mpg highway, the worst was 16.99 mpg with city and low octane gas.The seats are very uncomfortable and firm, and we had to stop every hour to get out of the van.aWe added padded seat cushions and several small pillows for the chairs, then we could sit in the seats several hours without our legs going numb. With a full load for vacation the van rode very harsh over rough highways and expansion joints. We had wind noise from 35 to 70mph. It is the windshield trim strip gap. Acceleration was great. It has a much sharper turning radius for parking.

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  Great on gas & safety, poor quality - 2003 Honda Civic
  By eric - March 13 - 9:10 am

  This is the most uncomfortable car on the market the seats are small and hard. The arm rests are rock hard. Ive run into many quality issues such as the body metal is so thin, it wrinkles and dents almost if a bug hit it.

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  Minor flaws, but overall solid package - 2008 Honda Accord
  By JP - March 13 - 1:50 am

  Ive had my 08 4-cyl 5MT EX-L Accord for over a month now, and overall Im happy with the car. The tires/wheels were replaced by the dealer due to vibration problems at highway speeds. The MPG is not that great around 24.5 MPG in mixed driving. I guess when they match a 4-cyl with a heavier "large class" body, this is what you get.

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  Bullet proof Drivetrain - 1991 Honda Accord
  By 1991 Honda Accord EX - March 13 - 1:07 am

  I bought this car a 1 1/2 years ago from my brother with 132,000mi and its been in the family for 9 years. My brother was not very gentle to the car a matter of fact he thought it was a race car. So when I reached 142,000mi we replaced the timing belt for the first time and it was still good "Amazing" we also replaced the clutch and it was bad for the burn outs my brother did. I gave it a full tune-up and I am confident I can get easily another 150,000mi with regular maintenance. They dont make them like this anymore, if they did they would not sell cars.

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  Love my pilot - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Jeanne - March 13 - 12:30 am

  I purchased my pilot 3 weeks ago. It is so fun to drive and very comfortable. You cant beat a Honda. The turn radius is exceptional. Love the back up camera.

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  This car never let me down. - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By jchen - March 12 - 10:31 pm

  I will be laying this car to rest soon. Trying to find something I can afford with the same reliability, functionality, and visibility. This car only died twice in traffic, and both were not due to car itself, so to speak. The first was when a defective replacement starter burned up, and the second was when an old radiator hose that ought to have been replaced but wasnt, because no one who worked on the car bothered to let me know about it. burst. Parts wore out long after their expected life. The car has reached the point where the repairs to its exterior (front exhaust pipe, ABS sensor on one wheel, ball joint, control arm for one ball joint, struts) will cost about $1500 to repair. Add a shattered back window, and it doesnt make sense to fix it anymore. This car has 220,248 miles on it, and the engine still runs beautifully. This car was a basic AWD cargo box on wheels without luxurious amenities, but it has a been a reliable friend. I love the visibility it provides for a short person by its high position relative to other traffic and large windows.

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  She loves the van - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By kagey1 - March 12 - 4:41 pm

  My wife had gone on record as saying she would never drive a minivan. Three kids later shes driving the Odyssey and loves it. The interior is extremely versatile and great room for the kids, their friends and all of the accumulated stuff. Weve had it on several trips and its performed great with just over 25 mpg on the highway and around 19-20 around town. The seats are comfortable and it drives more like a car than most vans and handles surprisingly well. It does have a lot of wind noise, primarily from the front passengers seat, but we just turn the radio up. The breaks are softer than what Id prefer but not to the point of feeling like were in danger. My wifes glad we bought it.

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  No Complaints from me. - 1996 Honda Accord
  By Accordion - March 12 - 4:36 pm

  Aside from routine maintenance, and an occasional free check up, (complements of the extended emissions warranty) this car has required less than any other car I have ever owned to continue doing its job. I love the ride, and the 5-speed keeps it fun. I hungrily admire many new cars each year, but return to the same reasoning: why spend $15-$50K on a new car when the one you are driving is perfect and virtually free by comparison. It seems almost un-American, but Ill keep my money for now.

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  Transmission Overhaul Needed at 78k - 2003 Honda Civic
  By kmn - March 12 - 2:53 pm

  I havent had any problems with this car until last month. The automatic transmission started slipping from 3rd to 4th gear and needs a complete overhaul. My car only has 78k miles on it. There is no way it should need a new transmission. The estimate I got from the dealership was around $3000. Stay away from the 2003 Civic! From what Ive read, this isnt an isolated incident.

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  Love my 08 Accord - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Shawn - March 12 - 10:09 am

  Do not expect to get very good MPG as it is a V6. The car is VERY comfortable and has passenger and cargo room for days. The heated seats, power seats, 7 speaker sound system, XM radio, automatic climate control make this car an amazing choice for road trips. There is a small amount of road noise but with the stereo on who cares? Ive found myself wishing some of my trips were longer.