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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  Best car Ive ever owned! - 2005 Honda Accord
  By aporter1995 - January 2 - 5:53 am

  Traded in a 00 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP with 139k miles (List of problems too long) for my high school dream car,a black Accord that had 148k miles on it and I havent looked back! Love my car! Gas mileage is phenomenal compared to what I had, car runs smooth with no issues. I have owned the car 5 months and currently have 161k. I need to put brakes and tires on it but that of course is routine and it could use a serpentine belt. The only out of norm things would be the seat belt sensor (covered by Honda warranty still! Thanks Honda!) and now it has a bad air/fuel ratio sensor (O2 sensor) but nothing that negatively impacts the way it drives. Five stars all around! Great job Honda!

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  The Honda Accord EX Vtec 6 cylinder with the 6 speed transmission makes you feel like your driving a higher end car! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By hondaonly1 - January 2 - 12:09 am

  Shopping for a used Honda for my son the first rule was that we were NOT getting an Automatic due to the fact that having worked for Honda Automotive for 20 plus years I knew that most people do NOT change the ATF like their supposed to causing problems way too soon. We got lucky & found the right car which was the 1st one we looked at, a 6 spd 6 cyl 2 door coupe black EX with leather and loaded. This car is amazing! It performs like a higher end car similar to a BMW. Car Fax was great with every possible thing & more done as far as maintenance goes along with no accidents or anything even close to being a problem. If you can get lucky and find this combo buy it! They are very hard to find.

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  09 Honda Civic Hybrid - 2009 Honda Civic
  By adam063321 - January 1 - 11:52 am

  I bought my HCH with 72,000 miles certified from a Honda dealer. The car looked and felt great! I lived in Ohio and all roads where I lived were flat and continuously got 45-60mpg on flat roads going 57-59mph. I bought the car to drive like crazy 28,000 miles a year. The IMA battery went out at 95,000 miles. (Luckily I bought the extended warranty when I purchased it). I now have had it for 3 years and have 150,000 miles. I have never had any issues at all besides the IMA battery.

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  I Love My Car. 15 Years in the Family and No Issues - 2000 Honda Accord
  By kobiewan - December 30 - 7:52 pm

  Despite these accords having transmission failures through the roof, the point it that they are very reliable cars. Most of the issues emerged at 70-100k miles, which is why Honda extended the warranty on the drivetrain. My automatic is at 173k miles on the original transmission. Yes I did get lucky. I have been through a few axles, a radiator, and a power steering pump and 3 timing belts. However, with routine maintenance and possibly one transmission rebuild for some of you these cars will last a long time. Just remember, if you get a good quality rebuild the transmission should last longer than the original. Dont be cheap or go to aamco. Do your research.

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  18000 mile review - 2013 Honda Accord
  By adansereau - December 28 - 2:20 pm

  The sport is still going strong no problems. It is finally breaking in and feels quicker. One big thing I did was to swap out the Goodyear Eagles for some Continental Pure Contacts , those Goodyears were horrible in the snow and I hope the Contis are better. For handling the Conti is so much better from wet to dry it works !! I have looked at , driven, been in different cars and the Sport is one great value, looks, mpg, comfort, reliable. I have had 72 cars so I know cars !!

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  Ugly as heck, but very reliable - 2008 Honda Element
  By jwilly3 - December 27 - 8:40 pm

  I purchased this car for my wife back in 2008. She was not good about cleaning her car, so something like this (no carpet or frills) was better for her. I ended up with is 2 years later because it gets a little bit better gas mileage then our full size Chevy Crew Cab with a V8. Real poor gas mileage for a 4 cylinder 22-24 MPG, and I am on the hwy most of the time. I would not buy another one, but it is real good to haul bicycles around in fact, I have put 4 bikes in the back with the seats up. The thing is built like a tank, and like I said, very reliable. I now have 114,000 miles on it, and it runs like a top...An ugly one!

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  Had to trade it in after four months - 2014 Honda Accord
  By suziesivlerado - December 25 - 6:24 am

  I thought I was going to really like this car, but found it to be uncomfortable with an overwhelming amount of road noise. Im 5 foot 2 and the seats (slightly concave design at the mid secti) never worked for me, Also the front head restraints pushed my head too far forward, and only were comfortable (tolerable) when I turned them backwards. The back seat covers never fit right (despite 2 replacement efforts) could not repair. The navigations system was useless. When I searched for local restaurants or shops it gave me a listing for restaurants 500 miles away. Lastly the voice recognition interface worked intermittently.

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  So Far, So Good - 2014 Honda Accord
  By penguin103 - December 23 - 12:00 pm

  Purchased my 2014 Accord LX CVT new in late October, 2014. So far, they only issue I have had is with the TPMS light coming on with 94 miles on it. Dealer admitted they forgot to calibrate it when it went through pre-inspection delivery and apologized for the error. No problems since that happened. After all of the great Honda incentives, I ended up paying $19,419 plus TTL and took advantage of the 0.9% for 60 months. All of this makes this vehicle an incredible value.

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  My Favorite Van Ever!!! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By undy6 - December 22 - 11:23 pm

  Ive had 3 Odysseys - an 07 EX-L DVD, an 08 EX-L w/NAV & DVD and a 12 Touring Elite. Ive had a lot of cars, SUVs and minivans and the 08 Odyssey was my fav by far! I actually think it was better than the 12 Odyssey Touring Elite we leased. Zero issues, super practical features & layout, easy and comfortable to drive....I could go on and on. Only reason I dont still have it is because I was having issues getting traction in the snow (lived in Denver at the time) so I traded for a 4WD Nissan Armada. I regretted that decision almost immediately, still miss that van 3 yrs later! Hindsight, I really wish I wouldve tried putting on a better set of tires before trading it in :-(

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  Dont bother - 2014 Honda Pilot
  By blakecatch22 - December 22 - 10:54 am

  We owned a 2005, 2007, and now 2014 Honda Pilot. The main problems are the fuel economy and power numbers are tepid, the 5-speed gearbox is jerky, and acceleration took nearly 10 seconds. Plus the transmission cost a small fortune to repair. Please, take my word and buy aToyota Highlander (which we now own) or the Honda Odyssey.