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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  honda pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By beverly morris - September 21 - 10:00 am

  traded a 96 toyota forerunner for the honda. all was well until i washed it.paint is awful with many oversprays.the plastic front end is way too cheap. honda has gone to far in cutting cost. the plastic in a tide bottle seems far stronger. before you buy look underneath the front end.

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  Bad in Wisconsin Snow!! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Sarah - September 20 - 10:40 pm

  I bought my Civic because I had always heard they were great cars. This car drives great unless there is snow. It is not good in the snow at all. It constantly fishtails and I do not feel safe at all. I think this would be a great car if I lived in FL but would not recommend for the northern states that get a lot of snow!!

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  53,000 BUMPY miles - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jmart - September 16 - 9:28 pm

  Have had my CIVIC LX for 28 months/ 53,000 miles on odometer. As mentioned in my previous entries the car still rides roughly even on new tires. Rattles in dash, rear deck area. WHY does this car have SO MUCH ROAD NOISE? Clunky transmission-still-now has a new whine to it. Still gets approx 34 MPG, though. KBB, NADA, Black Book value ahead of my pay off. Im proud of that. Thinking of 09 Corolla.

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  no that good - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By joesph - September 15 - 2:00 am

  pull to the left transmission noise wind noise

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  My new car breaks in less than one week - 2004 Honda Accord
  By jasondd - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Honda really need do something to maintain its reputation now. I never expect that my new bought car shut down suddenly on highway due to the charger failure. How could this happen????

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  Not all its cracked up to be. - 1995 Honda Accord
  By John - September 11 - 10:15 pm

  I have had this Accord for a while now, and Im really not that impressed. The trans is really jerky, and Honda says its a "normal condition". My previous mid-size car was a 93 Taurus and it was a lot smoother and felt more powerful. A lot more roomy as well. The fold down rear seats are a good idea but there is limited pass-through room compared with other cars Ive had with this feature (99 Saturn in particular). The CV axles were new when I bought it, and theyre going out again. Minor things quit working on this car long before they did on the Taurus (the Taurus was sold with 300,000 miles, this car has less than 200K), such as the rear defogger, all interior lights, etc.

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  Overrated Odyssey - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Mike Jones - September 11 - 9:18 am

  Look the its a good van, but way too much for the price. I should gone with my gut instincts and bought the Toyota Sienna. I listened too much to Model Review experts and not my heart. The Sienna rode like a dream, much better in my opinion than the reviews. The Honda makes a louder noise when accelerating on the highway than the Sienna. Toyota also offered a lot more standard features than Honda did. I listened to my wife and I should have changed her mind. Honda is good, but the Sienna s Style, performance and overall quiet powerfully safe "star rating" is superb. I am probably going to trade in my Honda for the Sienna.

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  Total Turkey - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Total Turkey - September 10 - 6:57 am

  Bought what I thought was the best minivan on the market in 06. Huge disappointment. Gas mileage is horrible. 14.5 average around suburbs 20 on highway. Can hit the rated 25 mpg on highway but only if driving 65, lightly loaded, completely flat surface. Very under-engineered vehicle. Doesnt stop well and Michelin PAX tires wear out very quickly. Needed new front brakes and tires at 33k miles, and we are not hot rodders. I have 76k miles on my BMW and still have original set of brakes w/25k left. Only bright side is that its a good people hauler comfortable with lots of room for cargo. But I will never buy another large Honda. They only know how to make small cars.

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  ordinary family car - 2000 Honda Accord
  By fang - September 9 - 2:00 am

  The only thing it stands out is its reliability. You will find the engine has valvetrain noise around 1400rpm (rattle noise). Also the heater and AC is not strong enough comparing with Camery and US models, which will hurt engine gas mileage since you need turn it higher. So far my Accord EX has no problem except: (1) headlight (low beam) was off around 44000 miles. (2) vehicle paint loss (seems the paint layer is thiner compare with my Buick LeSabre)

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  Terrible Seats - 2004 Honda Accord
  By oliver noss - September 8 - 1:23 am

  We bought this car, our first and now our last new Honda, with great expectations, and we have been VERY dissapointed with both the car and with the Honda company. This car has the most uncomfortable seats of any vehicle we have ever owned. We cannot ride in it over an hour with severe back, butt and leg fatigue. Its actually painful. Honda is aware of this problem as the Honda district manager disclosed to me, but they arent willing to do anything to remedy the situation for us. What good is a car if you cannot ride in it comfortably for an hour? My advice is to avoid Honda. If you want a quality car, get a Toyota or a Nissan or something else. Buy a Honda at your own peril!