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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  2010 Acura TSX w/ Tech Package - 2010 Acura TSX
  By TheDriver - July 22 - 8:12 pm

  I bought a 2010 Acura TSX w/ the technology package in mid April and just traded it in on an Infiniti G37 Sedan. The TSX had 6500 miles. The TSX had super annoying popping noises coming from the rear of the car into the interior that the dealer could not fix(search Google). Said all of them do it. The bluetooth phone had a loud static noise when on and you could hardly hear the person on the phone. The drivers seat kept slipping downward as if the motor or track was stripped(I weigh 180). I traded a 2008 Accord Sedan in on the TSX. The TSX is too much like the Accord but with a little more horsepower(not enough). So far the G37 is 10X the car. I would recommend you not buy the TSX.

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  Too small + Too firm - 2010 Acura TSX
  By RC27 - July 22 - 11:07 am

  I leased this car in 2009 and I cannot wait for the lease to be over. First let me say it is not a bad car, it is simply not for me. I am 61" and the driver legroom is cramped, rear legroom is even worse. In terms of ride quality you feel every bump, yes it is a "sporty" ride but in NYC I dont need road feedback. The ride is only slightly better than my 1996 corolla and the trunk is also small. That out of the way the car is reliable and came with a ton of standard features. A little advice- if ride quality is important to you and/or front legroom this car is probably not for you. Test drive it 1st several times + make sure to include city roads.

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  Dissapointed with my RL - 2005 Acura RL
  By John H - July 21 - 8:03 pm

  I have purchased my last few cars (all used) and Ive tried to move up with each purchase. I traded an Infiniti I35 and purchased this used RL (which had 16.7K miles on it). The car has been a pleasure to drive, but the amount of money that I have had to put into repairs has been a major disappointment. In the 16 months that I have owned the car Ive had to replace the drivers side power mirror, a major repair to the air conditioner and replace one of the motors in the passengers side seat. The total repairs cost $3,000 and the car has 50K miles on it. Ive owned used Mazdas and Infinits and never had these type of major repair issues. I am very disappointed in the RLs reliability

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  Acura Puts the "Sport" in an "S"UV - 2010 Acura MDX
  By octavian - July 21 - 4:23 pm

  I traded in an 2001 MDX for this SUV. It offer the best price/performance in this category. Punch it, it goes. It is also not a car for the technology-challenged individual. It is packed with so much stuff, including adaptive speed control, blind side sensors, heated and cooled front seats, bluetooth, you name it. I dont get the issue with too many buttons. The dash is well laid out. Awesome suspension. And tight corners it does very well, with sport suspension turned on. I was taking corners like I was in a tl. Ok, not quite as fast, but unbelievable for a 2 ton SUV.

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  Awesome Car - 2005 Acura RSX
  By CaliPatriot88 - July 20 - 11:24 pm

  I drove the Honda Integra when I was in Japan and loved it so much I bought the USDM version the RSX. I couldnt afford the type s though so I bought the luxury base model. A great car fast and nimble on the highway, it loves going fast and loves taking corners. Great on gas, run on premium and youll get some faster acceleration out of it.

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  Very good car - 2005 Acura TSX
  By sam - July 20 - 12:04 am

  Hi! everyone I just like to tell you guys that this car that I have TXS is one of the best cars that I ever have I take I trip from Maryland to Mexico back and for and the car it was excellent I wish I had this car before and just change oil and gas and I have no problem I know guys to repair this car it cost a lot of money but it worth every penny that you spend.

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  Sporty ride & look with luxury comfort - 2010 Acura TL
  By JParn - July 18 - 6:56 pm

  TL is the perfect car for my tastes - sporty, great ride/handling, but all the luxury and creature comforts. I couldnt be happier with it. Its a luxury car with sports car feel and look.

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  NSX = Fun For Driving Enthusiasts - 1991 Acura NSX
  By Pat - July 18 - 6:42 pm

  I have owned this car for 2 years and never cease to have fun while driving it. It always pleases and never disappoints. Although it was 18 years old when purchased, after only a few maintenance items (suspension, brakes and dealer recommended engine maintenance) and a little TLC, the car runs and drives like new. It is now 20 years old and starts and drives like it came off the showroom floor. The engine has 119,000 miles and never skips a beat, even at the 8000 RPM red line. Incredible!

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  2010 vs 2009 - 2010 Acura MDX
  By brian - July 18 - 12:21 am

  Owned 2009 for 14 months and put on 23k was not impressed with overall quality i.e. both front Windows squealed when rolling down and wheel bearings replaced traded in for 2010 and what a difference the new 6 speeds trans is wonderful definitely glad I gave Acura another try base model purchased in libertyville il 39,500+ttl

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  Well balanced and fun to drive! - 2007 Acura RDX
  By jjc - July 14 - 10:24 pm

  We just got this car used several weeks ago and are thrilled with it! It is very fun to drive and has a nice kick. The car is a great balance of size, speed, practicality, and fun. Plus, it looks sharp and is fast! Both my wife and I love it.