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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  hassle free for me! - 2000 Honda Civic
  By hondas4me - February 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the first car that I have owned that I have found to be very reliable (previous cars VW bug,dodge caravan,ford tempo) we have had it for amost 3 years and have had no problems. the only bad thing was that it took a long time to get parts in when we were rearended. but other than that it has been a dream!

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  Minor complaints - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Go Daddy - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I have 7,500 miles on mine. Dependable E solid. Quite a bit of wind noise around the A pillar. We barely average 22 mpg in mixed city & highway driving. Storage, the table, & the CD player are great. However, no need for a picnic table - rather have the spare tire there. The check engine light came on after 5,000 miles. At first the dealer was reluctant to look at it and claimed that the problem was due to not tightening the gas cap. I finally took it to the dealer and they adjusted the engines computer program. No problems since. I also test drove a Ford Escape. Not near as solid, but more cargo space. Quality led me to the CRV.

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  excellent - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By mitch113 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  We traded in our 1993 honda accord ex with 127000 miles on it we only had small problems with the car and sorry we had to move on. We tested the the honda pilot and loved it the only thing we wish we had was passenger side electric seats.......

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  Wifes Car - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By sberzin - February 13 - 2:00 am

  2002, CRV EX. Fun to drive but corners poorly. Washes out on wet roads when turning from a complete stop. Enjoy the storage capacity in back. Also very comfortable/roomy interior for family of three. But, not a family car. Relatively quite. Good luck from local dealer (Rosen,Gurnee IL). Retains blue book value drastically better then Pontiac. 5,000 miles with no repairs needed.

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  Road Tripper - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By twman - February 13 - 2:00 am

  The van definitely drives like a van, but that is ok, because that is what it is. After you understand all of the dos and donts of when and why you are pushing the buttons this thing is really cool. Road noise is a lot more pronouced than say a Four door sedan. Moving people and cargo is the name of the game. We looked at all of the SUVs from 30 thou to 60 thou and NONE had the versitily that this van has. Enough said.

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  Satisfied Customer - 2000 Honda Accord
  By J Thomp - February 13 - 2:00 am

  The dealers sales personnel were quite professional - did not pressure to sall any features. When the car has been taken in for regular maintenance, the service has been satisfactory. Overall I have been very pleased with the cars performance and especially its reliability.

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  03 EX: none better at its price - 2003 Honda Civic
  By star1 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I can tell you that as a long-time Honda civic owner this version is by far the most refined, sporty and reliable to date...far nicer than the 99 I recently parted with and far superior to anything in its price range. The fit and finish are top- notch. The interior is very stylish and I much prefer the 03 cloth vs the 02 and older cloth interior. I can only think of two complaints: 1) the engine does seem a bit louder than my 99 did. 2) the new interior fabric, while very nice, doesnt seem to allow you to move around easily...it "hugs" you, not allowing you to move about very easily (get in one and youll see what i mean).

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  I love our honda elements - 2006 Honda Element
  By KIM MELCHERT - February 12 - 7:03 pm

  This is our second Honda Element. This time we tried the awd lx. Our first Element is a 2003 dx. We love them both and I dont think we will ever have a different vehicle as long as they still make the Element. Both cars are manuals and they drive like a dream in all conditions. I would recommend the Element to anyone interested in a find product at an affordable price.

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  Headache - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By GFG - February 12 - 12:27 pm

  I purchased the CR-V because I wanted a safe, reliable, comfortable, small station wagon with good ground clearance, and a road insulating suspension. We have in Ottawa Canada the worst weather and truck beaten paved roads of any sizable city in North America. I go to the country and national parks and lakes in our beautiful part of the world. In the summer and in the winter ice and snow. The CR-V is a fabulous car, but the ride is horrible over the abundant and ever enduring uneven pavement. My Toyota Camry, and even my crappy Mustang were way better at cruising the rough roads. Im not sure what Honda was trying to accomplish with this vehicle, but they failed to provide a pleasant ride.

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  Vibrate on red light - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Volodymyr - February 12 - 9:37 am

  Makes vibration under drivers seat when you stopped on red right