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Honda

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6.4

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: March 23rd, 2022

Honda Motor Company is a Japanese car manufacturer founded in 1946. As one part of Japan’s Big Three automakers, Honda started as a motorcycle engine maker and has grown to be one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. 

With its Acura line, which was first released in 1986, Honda was the first Japanese manufacturer to make a luxury offshoot brand. The Honda Civic is the automaker’s best-selling model. You can shop Honda’s lineup at 1,050 dealerships nationwide. 

Keep reading our Honda review to learn more about the pros and cons of choosing Honda or skip to the Honda reviews.

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The Good

  • Award Recognition
  • Sustainability Efforts
  • Dependability
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Efficiency
  • Safety Features
  • HondaLink App
  • Product Diversification

Award Recognition

Accredited review sites recognize Honda as a reliable automaker. According to recent awards, Honda excels in areas of reliability, sustainability, and affordability. Honda was named one of the Top 5 Car Brands in 2020 by BestCompany.com. Below is a list of some of the most recognized Honda models within their respective vehicle categories. These are great options to explore when selecting a car from Honda’s lineup.

Cars
Honda Accord

  • 2020 Best Buy: Midsize Car by KBB
  • 2020 Car and Driver's 10Best Cars
  • NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating

Honda Civic 

  • 2019 Best Buy: Compact Car by KBB
  • 2019 Edmunds Buyers Most Wanted Award

Honda Fit 

  • Best Subcompact Car for the Money in 2020 by U.S. News & World Report 

Crossovers and SUVS
Honda HR-V 

  • 2019 Best New SUV for Teens by U.S. News & World Report 

Honda CR-V

  • 2020 Best Buy: Compact SUV by KBB 
  • Best Compact SUV for the Money by U.S. News & World Report

Honda Pilot 

  • NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings 

Minivan 
Honda Odyssey 

  • 2020 Best Buy: Minivan by KBB
  • U.S. News & World Report: Best Minivan for Families 

Truck
Honda Ridgeline

  • 2019 Cars.com American-Made Index Top 10 

Electric
Honda Clarity 

  • 2020 Best Buy: Electric/Hybrid Car by KBB

Honda Insight 

  • NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings 
  • 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Sustainability Efforts

Honda creates environmentally-friendly vehicles with hybrid and electric options. Some of these models have been recognized as some of the best in the industry. The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid received an award from Kelly Blue Book for its value and dependability. Honda has six different hybrid and electric vehicle options to choose from.  

Current sustainable offerings include the following:

  • Honda Insight
  • Honda CR-V Hybrid
  • Honda Accord Hybrid 
  • Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
  • Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

The automaker also optimizes its manufacturing process to cut back on harmful emissions. Honda’s green path consists of four major initiatives to stay environmentally active: reduce vehicle footprint, reduce CO2 emissions, incentivize green Honda dealerships, and eliminate waste. The sustainability effort began in 2015 and continues to be a main focus for the company.

Dependability

Honda ranked above average on the latest JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study at #12 out of 31. Additionally, Polk Data found that 75 percent of Honda vehicles sold between 1988 and 2012 were still on the road in 2013, more than any other brand.

Customer Satisfaction

Honda customers express long-term satisfaction with their vehicle purchase. In the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index rankings, Honda placed very well; only four companies scored ahead of it: Volvo, Porsche, Lexus, and Subaru. This is great, especially considering that most of these are luxury brands, not mainstream. 

According to Honda reviews on BestCompany.com, 97 percent of users give Honda a 4 or 5-star rating. Reviewers are satisfied with the quality, longevity, fuel efficiency, and reliability of Honda vehicles. 

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Customer Review: Dawnson Sandersn

“Honda is a great car for those who love gas efficient vehicles. Honda has been at the top of the car business for a long time and they are phenomenal!”

Fuel Efficiency 

Honda competes with Toyota for the best fuel efficiency. According to a report published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Honda’s U.S. fleet has the highest average fuel efficiency and admits the lowest CO2 emission levels. The U.S. fleet gets an impressive fuel economy of 29.4 miles per gallon on average. Over the last five years, Honda has improved its average fuel economy by over 3 mpg.

Affordability 

Honda’s above-average fuel economy makes owning a car more affordable. You can also save on upfront costs of purchasing a new car. Honda offers some of the most affordable vehicles on the market comparable to other top brands such as Chevrolet and Toyota. The Honda Fit Hatchback is the least expensive model with an MSRP of about $17,000. Even the most expensive model, the Honda Civic Type R, is priced similar to competitors.

Safety Features 

Honda has created its own safety technology to keep drivers and passengers safe. Most of these features are similar to other offerings by top car brands. HondaSensing is the company’s safety tech line and comes on most new Honda vehicles. The HondaSensing includes the following features: 

  • Collision Mitigation Braking System
  • Road Departure Mitigation System
  • Lane Keeping Assist System
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Honda LaneWatch

Honda envisions a future where collisions are a worry of the past. The automotive company’s development team aims to create a collision-free world by the year 2040. The goal utilizes innovative safety concepts and designs. Honda created the world’s most advanced crash-test facility. The facility is used to carry out advanced safety tests and make evaluations for upgraded safety features. SAFE SWARM is an original concept aimed at connecting cars on the road. Increased connectivity would help evaluate traffic flow and prevent traffic accidents.

HondaLink App 

Similar to many other major car manufacturers, Honda provides a specialized app for customers. The HondaLink App has several unique features to help improve your vehicle ownership experience. The app sends vehicle updates, connects to emergency services, provides remote vehicle access, and tracks your driving habits. You can also connect with Amazon Alexa for access to voice commands or set up with your vehicle with Amazon KEY delivery service.  

  • Vehicle Updates — HondaLink gives up up-to-date information on your car readings. The app records your car’s parked location for easy recall. View other key details about your vehicle including your mileage, oil level, and fuel level. You will also be notified if a warning light turns on or if you should schedule a maintenance appointment. 
  • Emergency Services — Help is just a few clicks away on the HondaLink app. Call for roadside assistance to get towing or repair help. In the event of an accident, the app will notify response agents to send help. The emergency service feature comes complimentary on new vehicles for the first 12 months and then can be purchased as a yearly subscription. 
  • Remote Access — Remote access allows you to control basic car functions from your smartphone. For example, you can lock, unlock, and start your vehicle on the app. 
  • Driving Habits — The HondaLink app records your driving habits so that you can learn how to improve and refine your driving skills. You will receive an overall driving score and some specific tips on how you can improve your driving. You can also opt to send this information to your insurance company to potentially save money on your policy premium. 

Product Diversification

If you are satisfied with your Honda vehicle, explore other product options from a brand you know and trust. Honda produces other products aside from its vehicle lineup. For example, Honda manufactures motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, power equipment, boats, and planes. The only other car companies that build and sell motorcycles are Suzuki and BMW.

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The Bad

  • Takata Recall

Takata Recall

Many Honda models from 2001 to 2015 model years were included in the Takata airbag recall. However, Honda is not the only company involved in this industry-record recall. If you drive a Honda made during this time period, check your VIN with the company’s recall database to be sure you are safe.

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The Bottom Line

Honda makes affordable, dependable cars, SUVs, and pickups. Its lineup has been given a bevy of awards for safety, the lowest five-year cost to own, and best resale value. The HondaLink app makes vehicle management convenient. You can also explore other Honda products from motorcycles to lawnmowers. The automakers’ commitment to sustainability and efficiency makes buying a Honda a conscious choice for your wallet and the environment. 

If you are interested in purchasing a Honda car, start by reading Honda reviews from customers. Learn what model works best for your lifestyle. Research the various models and test drive them at a nearby Honda dealership. Whichever model you decide to purchase, you can expect that it will be with you for quite some time.

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Star Rating

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4.7

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519 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

74%

4 grade

23%

3 grade

2%

2 grade

1%

1 grade

0%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Trustworthiness

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Dawn cline

I think they need to have a payment plan available. I used them since I bought my accord in 2008, however, when my breaks needed to be done I had to go to firestone, now I use them exclusively. I think car dealers need to cater to all americans,not just rich ones. Because of their lack of payment plans they lost me as a customer 2 years ago, there was another issue. My windshield wiper cleaner pump failed, I told them it was not the lines which I tested, not the pump itself that caused it, that it was due to electrical in the pigtail. They put a pump on, died in three days, then they put another aftermarket one for free with no warranty, which also died because they refused to listen to me because I'm a female. Firestone listened, they fixed the pigtail and now I can wash my windows..

7 years ago

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Debora Paez Columbia, MO

As a Honda owner for quite some time, I have gotten to know quite a few things not only about my vehicle but about the way vehicle maintenance works in Honda dealerships and the customer service. The customer service has always been immaculate from the moment I bought my car to present day. The salesmen and the maintenance mechanics are very thorough with information and accommodating. I dislike that to get maintenance done on your vehicle, you cannot make an appointment instead it is on a first come bases. However, when my car needed a trunk part replaced, Honda gave me another vehicle in the meantime at no cost. As far as my vehicle, it has been reliable & a great investment.

4 years ago

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OrvilleBro Herriman, UT

We have continually purchased Hondas over the years. The main reason is the reliability and peace of mind, knowing my wife and kids are in a reliable vehicle that is safe. The resale value and quality for the price are really hard to beat. My personal car is also a Honda, for those reasons as well, but it also looks cool. The radios are crap though. They lose a star for that.

4 years ago

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Brent Thurgood Spanish Fork, UT

We love our CRV. It has been a reliable car for four years and is so comfortable to drive. We love all of the extra features like blind sight, lane assist, adaptive cruise control and apple car play. We would definitely buy another Honda. The only issue we have had is that a sensor on the blind sight monitor went out that was a little pricey to fix.

4 years ago

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Frances Harmatuk Baltimore, MD

I toggle between Honda and Nissaan, usually as a result of what deals are being offered. I have bought Nissaan the last couple of cars mainly because Honda is just not as competitive with offers and perks. It's a shame because the Honda dealers in this area are much nicer and service centers are more trustworthy than my experience with the Nissaan service centers.

5 years ago

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Jessica Chen Rockville, MD

My experience was the most enjoyable I ever had when buying a car. I knew what I wanted and the salesmen got me the best deal in my area. Buying the car was fast and efficient. The staff was friendly, and the dealership was clean. I also like the free delivery service. It's nice to know I now have a place to buy a car that gives great customer service and won't rip me off.

5 years ago

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Lars Hamilton Carmel, IN

Super reliable cars. Have one that’s going on 15 years with minor repairs and regular maintenance. Have another new one that has been super reliable and just feels quality. Honda fan for life. Best value car out there. -1 star for the horrible buying experience at the dealerships. The whole industry of auto sales needs to be transparent and automated. No more slimy salespeople and gimmicks. Yuck.

5 years ago

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Mariana Linares , NC

We used to have a Honda Pilot as our family car, and while the car generally worked well, I will say that the price did not match the amenities. The car worked great; however, it was a high price for what we paid for. The interior was not as nice as other similarly priced vehicles, and we did face some problems with the internal leather bubbling up and the steering wheel which would always steer to the right naturally.

6 years ago

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Nate Jenson Provo, UT

I have a Civic and an Odyssey. Both have been reliable and good values. The only real complaint I have is the seats. I wish the people who designed the seats had some idea as to what the human spine is supposed to be shaped like and that they would design the seat backs accordingly. As it is, they seem to be designed for cave-men that are hunched over all the time.

6 years ago

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Jaylene Holcomb, NY

My family has been loyal to Honda for years. We find that this brand of car is reliable and safe. And DEFINITELY worth every penny. When buying a car for my 16 year old daughter, Honda was a natural choice. Although it scared me that she would be out on the roads driving alone, I knew that putting her in a Honda car would keep her safe. And it proved to be true. Only two years after buying her car, she got in a life threatening car crash, and walked away without a scratch on her. Thanks, Honda.

7 years ago

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Anne Sainsbury Payson, UT

So my 2005 Honda Civic has treated me well for the past 3 years since I bought it used. It gets great mileage, and has almost had zero upkeep. My only concern is that part of the cloth has comes off the inside doors, as well there is a leak coming in through my rear view mirror. However, both of these are more cosmetic, and overall--a great commuter vehicle!

7 years ago

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John Williams

I have a Honda Pilot--great car! But Honda has a problem with their white and light gray color vehicles with the paint peeling off after a few years. They are aware of the problem but still have not been able to fix it.

7 years ago

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Carlos Vasquez

Only have had good experiences from them wether it was my first honda which was a 84' prelude, or my 91 CRX, or one of my many different models and years of different Accords.

7 years ago

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Jesse Jorgensen Herriman, UT

My only complaint was that the cars interior felt cheap. Other than that my Honda was a great car. Gas milage was excellent. I drove the car until it had 210,000 miles. When I did have to repair the car, the repairs were easy to fix myself.

4 years ago

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Natalie Rousey Riverton, UT

I love my Honda Odyssey. The doors are extremely helpful for loading and unloading my children. It is very spacious and comfortable for everyone. Plus I enjoy that it drives like a car, not a big bulky vehicle. I would recommend Honda to anyone.

4 years ago

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Ron Thurgood Denver, CO

We bought a Honda Pilot in 2019. Love the drive of the vehicle and the overall experience has been good. I has had multiple issues with the sound/computer system. They have been fixing it but the same issue has been happening. It was very frustrating to have to continue to take it in and they would work on it and then have it happen again.

4 years ago

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Jaelynn Florence Tallahassee, FL

I have been a customer of Honda for more than 3 years and I have enjoyed every experience. The staff is very welcoming and of great service to ensure that all of my needs are met. I also enjoy driving my Honda, it is a reliable vehicle with great mileage.

4 years ago

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Jason Burt Riverton, UT

I have owned many Honda cars over the years (5+ cars) and have found them to be reliable and solid vehicles. They may be a little pricey compared to some other car companies that they compete with, but overall I have been happy with the Hondas I have owned.

5 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Corbin Short West Wendover, NV

My only complaint with the Honda I owned was the road noise on the Honda Accord Coupe. It was a really fun car to drive to be honest. Really quick and comfortable. I was just so surprised by how much road noise. Everything else about the car was amazing though. And Honda has similar reliability to that of Toyota (I am a huge fan of Toyota).

5 years ago

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Matthew Wadley San Diego, CA

I've had my Honda Pilot for 7 years now and with 175K miles strong it is still running great. I love the size and how all 6 of us can go on a road trip and still have plenty of legroom. I love the seat warmers and the drop-down tv screen that we can put movies on for the kids on a long road trip

6 years ago

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Tyler Salvesen Logan, UT

I drive a Honda Accord and I love it. I bought it used, and it’s defiantly had a few issues the two years I have owned it but nothing serious. The dealership has always been great, and I completely trust my Honda to get me to places reliably and safely.

6 years ago

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FABIO CAVALCANTI Orem, UT

I currently own a 2019 Honda CRV. Never had problems with the car but I just had it for a few months and bought it brand new. I do like the car but I think their multimedia could have some improvements on the navigating menus as they do not seem intuitive.. besides that, the rest is great

6 years ago

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Roberson Salt Lake City, UT

I drove and 2001 Honda Pilot for over five years. It was quite a reliable car however the transmission needed replacing at around 200,000 miles. The design of the early 2000 Honda Pilot model is far superior than the current design. It was able to navigate somewhat difficult roads, while the newer models are way more utilitarian.

6 years ago

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Michelle W Coraopolis, PA

My father has a Honda Pilot and it has seemed to be very durable. It seems to get solid gas mileage and has been a great car for our family for about the last 10 years. I would highly recommend this car to other families with multiple kids or ones that like long trips.

6 years ago

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Tom Gourley Pleasant Grove, UT

When I owned Honda vehicles I found them to be reliable and found their quality to be very good. I never had to spend excessive amounts on maintenance and their customer service people were always friendly. One bonus was the variety and quality of the special "treats" the service department offered while I waited for the car to be serviced!

6 years ago

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Sara S Tallahassee, FL

My family had a Honda Odyssey van and after 120 thousand miles, the transmission gave up. I love Honda but only if they fixed their transmission problem in their cars. It is very similar to Toyota so either one you choose will not be a bad choice.

6 years ago

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Derek Scoville Pleasant Grove, UT

Due to a change in career, my commute distance increased. I bought a Honda Civic natural gas car. The combination of a clean burning engine with the quality of Honda products has made it so that this car has well over 200K miles and still looks and drives like a newer car!

7 years ago

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JoAnn Lucas Austin, TX

My initial experience was not a good one. The sales rep was pushy. My husband had a a very positive experience when we gave it another try. Both of the sales reps worked together and the resulting experience was much more positive. We love our Honda!

7 years ago

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Randy Scoville Pleasant Grove, UT

As far as the brand Honda, I am very pleased. I bought a Honda Civic natural gas car, and the car is old but has never had any problems. I really believe Honda vehicles are high quality and they don't cut corners. However, every Honda dealership I've dealt with really struggles with customer service. But, their vehicles are top notch!

7 years ago

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Jennifer Gilbert, AZ

I love Honda and have bought Honda cars for the past 30 years. My first car was a Honda Civic and it always made me feel safe and it was a very reliable vehicle. My parents had a Honda, my sister had a Honda, my sister-in-law had a Honda and now my son has a Honda. Love Honda cars.

7 years ago

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S Logan, UT

My 93 accord lasted me until just last year. My grandparents bought it and it was handed down to my parents, then me. It had a funny problem in the heat, it would run fine, but when I stopped and then tried to restart it I had to wait a good 20+minutes before it would start again.

7 years ago

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Rick Austin, TX

Purchased a certified 2018 Honda Accord recently at Howdy Honda in Austin, TX. They were responsive to my questions and explained each step along the way.

7 years ago

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Vy Ha Birmingham, AL

It has good engines and the maintenance service is top tier for Honda since I get many remainders when my car needs something to be fixed before I come in just as a safety concern. I feel taken cared of and am satisifed

4 years ago

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Kimsreview Atlanta, GA

My first car was a Honda. I was very happy with the car and have stuck with Honda when buying the Acura MDX. They are great cars and I have been amazed with how long they last.

6 years ago

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Angela Eagle Mountain, UT

I drove a 2006 Honda Oddessy for 9 years and loved it for most of the time we had it. We did have to replace the transmission two years ago (2018) and were told that many of the 06 and 07 oddessy's had transmission problems.

6 years ago

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Imani Monroe Tallahassee, FL

I think Honda sells amazing, affordable, and valuable cars. Customer service is always a plus as they try to give you the best outcomes for your bucks. Never go wrong with grabbing a nice Honda.

6 years ago

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Rebecca Harvey Long Beach, MS

Parts are cheap to fix on the cars, and the vehicles usually have good gas millage. I will say they do seem to have a fair share of car parts needing to be replaced often, but overall we will still drive Honda in our house.

6 years ago

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Juan Beaver, PA

IF you are looking for a good cheap reliable car, this is it. MY girlfriend has had hondas all her life and she is right they are good cars. Very easy to work on and get great mileage.

6 years ago

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Daphne Brown Riverton, UT

I love my Honda and you can tell they take the time to build them right. I pay a little more but it is a great value. They are great cars but I usually look elsewhere for a rough and rugged truck.

6 years ago

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ave Pleasant Grove, UT

One of the best vehicle brands out there. Their cars run forever and there is very little upkeep with them if you take care of the car by changing the oil often and rotating the tires.

7 years ago

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Linda Clark Gilbert, AZ

Most people have great luck with Honda but the two Honda’s I owned were lemons. One needed the transmission replaced several times the other had an issue with the front steering rack months after purchase.

7 years ago

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Cameron Clark Provo, UT

I have had overall good experiences with Honda. My family growing up had a honda and while it was mainly reliable, there were very frustrating moments at the dealership trying to get it fixed. Overall good auto though!

7 years ago

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Kathryn (Katy) Uhl Provo, UT

Our Honda Civic has been a great car for our family. The leather seats are not my favorite, but it's gotten good gas mileage and hasn't needed very much maintenance. Definitely recommend for a larger family.

7 years ago

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Mickey Mangum Long Beach, MS

We owned a Honda Pilot and never had any issues with it. It was roomy and got very good gas mileage. I would own a Honda vehicle again no doubt.

6 years ago

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Jill M. Bentleyville, PA

It is valuable that they offer free inspections and oil changes. They, however, don't reach out to their established customers after 6 months.

7 years ago

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Grant Ashby ID

I love there sedans, they are great for beginners because of price. There reliability is on the lower side i feel like. They are improving but they can definitely grow

4 years ago

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Andy Beall Damascus, MD

My Honda Pilot has been great in the snow and a wonderful vehicle to transport our kids to see the grandparents in West Virginia. Reliability and comfort all the way!

5 years ago

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Jun Chen Rockville, MD

I have a car of Honda Accord. It is safe and economy. It is also convenient to service. I can buy some parts and filter from store to change by myself.

5 years ago

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Trey Bishop Logan, UT

I have had a Honda for 25+ years. The best reliability of any car I have owned. With all of the worries in life, it’s nice not having to worry about the car.

5 years ago

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Christian Parry Logan, UT

Honda has always been my car of choice. I love the customer service whenever I need something done. They’ve always been good to me and the cars are good quality.

5 years ago