Overview & Reviews

Acura is an upscale automaker known for offering cars with impressive levels of luxury, features and performance. It's come a long way in a short time, however, as the history of Acura is relatively brief. Parent company Honda introduced the Acura brand to the U.S. market in 1986 in an effort to create a separate luxury division for its products. At first, it was just a two-car show: the Legend sedan, which was the first true Japanese luxury car sold in America, and the Integra sport coupe and sedan.

Though essentially a marketing creation for the North American market, the Acura brand was immediately successful. Consumers liked the features, performance and upscale image of Acura cars, along with the fact that Acuras were backed by Honda's reputation for reliability and low ownership costs. In 1991, Acura introduced its crown jewel: the all-aluminum NSX sports car, which offered performance close to that of other exotic cars while undercutting them in price.

As Acura's product line grew in the 1990s, however, the company struggled a bit. Some of its products were duds, and it risked alienating loyal customers when it replaced the Legend and Integra names with alphanumeric designations. The company jumped on the hot luxury SUV bandwagon in the mid-'90s with the SLX. Unfortunately, the SLX was just a rebadged version of an Isuzu SUV, and its quality did not match customers' expectations.

For the new millennium, Acura revamped its product range. An all-new SUV called the MDX debuted, sporting numerous family-friendly features, including a third-row seat. The Integra was replaced with the RSX sport coupe, and an all-new entry-level sport sedan called the TSX was introduced after that. A complete redesign of its most popular model, the midsize TL sedan, followed, as did a redesign of its flagship RL luxury sedan.

By mid-decade the NSX was gone, but Acura filled out its model lineup with the street-performance-oriented RDX compact crossover, the TSX wagon and the ZDX, a fastback-styled crossover that placed unique styling over practicality. Today Acura is still trying to find its ideal niche but there's no denying the quality of Acura's vehicles, nor their appealing mix of performance, technology and value.

User Reviews:

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  Good deal for 113k $1,400 in 2003 - 1990 Acura Legend
  By Misha - July 29 - 6:03 pm

  Still driving having put 10k on this beauty over 7 years, and little more than new tires, brakes and occasional battery or filter. Poor mileage (23 hwy) when driven to Calgary, Canada in January 2004, but otherwise perfect, esp. over Montana. Five-speed manual offers great handling and leather/electric everything is superb. Needs some body work, but only drive in summers, so no problem. G

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  Best car Ive ever owned, hands down. - 2005 Acura TL
  By ScootrNC - July 29 - 4:26 pm

  Purchased used with 19.5 k miles, ULEV rated (were available for sale in CA and upper New England at the time). Ive put about 34 k miles on it and it has performed flawlessly for the 3.5 years Ive had it. No repairs, rattles or anything negative over this period. It IS tire-sensitive. Now Im using Bridgestone Serenity series and the ride is smooth and quiet, havent noticed any significant tire wear for 20+ k miles. Its fast and fun to drive. I am familiar with the BMWs and yes they handle well, but the TL is right up there with them IMHO. TL is a little quieter than many of BMWs (especially wind noise at speed). At 70 mph, gives about 31 mpg but I dont punch it much.

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  03 RSX-S Review - 2003 Acura RSX
  By JayJayPG - July 29 - 3:29 pm

  Ive owned my 03 Type S for over 6 years now and have loved every minute of it. I have the optional A-Spec package installed on mine (which makes for a more aggressive-looking RSX) as well as a few additional modifications (Mugen Sport Suspension, Comptech Rear Sway Bay, Comptech Icebox, Comptech Short Shifter, HIDs, etc.). All of these modifications have really increased the overall fun factor of driving/owning the car. I do all of my own service (using OEM parts/fluids) and it is a very inexpensive car to maintain. I have never had a single problem with this car.

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  This is truly a drivers car - 2010 Acura ZDX
  By Bob - July 28 - 9:30 am

  I love the fact that with SH-AWD the more gas you give it the better it hugs the turns. You really can feel it working and shuffling power around as needed when driving enthusiastically. I spent a few weeks with it in the snow and actually tried to make the tires slip by jumping on the gas. All the electronics went to work and I briskly took off with no drama. The ZDX easily has one of the best interiors of any vehicle in its price range or even above it, and with the advance package you get the adjustable shocks to smooth things out when the wife is in the car. Switching from “Comfort” to “Sport” mode feels like going from a Lexus RX to a BMW X5 but with even better handling.

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  Decent vehicle - 2003 Acura TL
  By Fred - July 27 - 1:52 pm

  The transmission went out at 50,000 miles but Acura replaced it under warranty. My stereo control on the steering wheel had a loose ground which I paid the dealer to fix. Other than normal maintenance and tires I have done nothing to the car. I think Acura cares about their service. I was told their dealers get fined by Acura if you rate them less than perfect. I would buy another Acura.

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  Great car - 2010 Acura TSX
  By floridadriver - July 27 - 10:57 am

  I moved to this car from a 2001 f150, and love it. I have had it about a week now and have no complaint. Ride is smooth and seats are great. I have no issue with the brakes or any interior rattling. The 4 cyl is great, awesome gas mileage, its a little sluggish but if you get the 4 its for the mpg not autobahn racing and still fun to drive with the paddle shifters! All in all I am very happy with this car.

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  The right car for me - 2008 Acura RDX
  By Stretch - July 26 - 7:51 pm

  I had an Accord, and wanted more cargo versatility. Drove several other small SUVs (Rogue, CX-7, EX-35), and the RDX was the obvious choice. The EX-35 was great, but just not enough room. The others were not comfortable enough, both in seat comfort and ride quality. The RDX does seem too stiff on city streets (my 98 Accord was smoother). But it has a solid feel, very smooth on the freeway, great acceleration, plenty of upscale features - basically a blast to drive. My wife can have her cushy Lexus. I prefer the sporty Acura.

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  Okay for me. - 1998 Acura TL
  By Christy - July 26 - 5:02 pm

  I bought my Acura used five years ago. In that time I have replace the timing belt, had the engine overhauled and the transmission overhauled (costing several thousand dollars), replaced the pulley system for the alternator and the windows are having trouble rolling down or up and the paint is flaking off. I do realize that its an older car now, but the repairs are really starting to be too much. Otherwise, the car runs great when its running and sounds great. Pretty good horse power though gas mileage is only about 21 mpg. Not great, but its okay.

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  Perfect blend of Luxury and Economy - 2009 Acura TSX
  By Str8sh0otr - July 25 - 10:01 pm

  I came to this car from an 03 Maxima wanting something a little more luxurious and better on gas. Mission accomplished. This car has been wonderful. The standard options on this car make it a great value. I have friends with Mercedes C300 and BMW 3 series. I have driven/ridden in all these cars many times and I am glad I saved all that money. There is really nothing comparable in this price range.

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  Pass on the 05 TL - 2005 Acura TL
  By Missed on this one - July 23 - 12:53 pm

  If you are considering purchasing one of these vehicles I would suggest passing. Build quality, particularly interior components, is very poor, many squeaks, rattles, very un Honda like. I cant keep tires on the car. With 40K on the car, I am now on my third set. Although this is more sporty than the earlier version, ride quality is harsh, the car sits too low to the ground and is just not well built. I am a loyal Acura/ Honda owner however I cant recommend this car.