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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  no regrets - 2007 Acura MDX
  By cvillemdx - July 30 - 9:57 am

  After months of careful research and test drives at BMW, Lexus, Volvo, etc. I settled on the MDX without a doubt in mind. I love the way the car handles, no stiffness or resistance in the steering or acceleration. The interior design is a little Star Trek for me, but once I figured everything out, it is a pleasure to have all the extras (XM radio, navigation, Bluetooth, backup camera, etc.)

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  The Almost Perfect Car - 2008 Acura TSX
  By Scundo - July 30 - 9:55 am

  I know there are a lot of complaints about the low end torque. Lets put things in perspective though. Its a 2.4L 4 cylinder putting out 205 naturally aspirated horsepower. It does it in an extremely smooth manor too. Isnt that how a sport luxury sedan engine should perform? After driving everything from fire-breathing pushrod v8s to boxer 4s all I can say is this engine is a jewel. Honda/Acura builds the best 4 cylinders. Period. Smooth, powerful, economical. The gearing on the 5 speed auto is excellent. The interior is flawless. Everything where it should be and its very comfortable. Awesome handling. Steering is perfectly weighted. Drive by wire throttle is very slick.

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  Simply Excellent - 2009 Acura TL
  By dvr - July 29 - 11:38 pm

  After test driving G37, IS350 and TL AWD, I and my wife both agreed to purchase TL AWD. We are very happy with excellent ride quality of TL, and its amazing tech package and reliability. Suspension is little hard for un-paved road driving, but it was all expected. I am getting average of 22 mpg, which is not bad I think, considering its 3.7L 300hp engine.

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  Its been fun to drive my 09 Acura TSX - 2009 Acura TSX
  By Lenny H - July 29 - 11:01 pm

  I purchased my 09 Acura TSX with tech package three weeks ago. It has been fun to drive it. The stereo system is phenomenal! I have also been using the live traffic report before heading home from my office. The ride is quiet, and the voice command system is superb, even for someone with a thick foreign accent!

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  Best SUV On The Road - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Nanci - July 29 - 10:00 am

  When I did my test drive I was so impressed in the way this SUV handled like a luxury car. Everything a vehicle should have is included as standard. The drive is smooth and quiet, the interior is comfortable and roomy. Gas mileage is so-so. Have not had it on the open road, all driving is freeway traffic and in town stop and go. This vehicle is the best value for your money. You couldnt ask for more in an SUV no one can believe that cost of this luxury SUV

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  Great Car - 2010 Acura TL
  By Slm - July 29 - 3:42 am

  I have owned this car for a few years now and the worst thing I can say is that I have to depart ways with it soon. I mostly trade every three to four years however drove this Acura longer. Its not the most appealing on the eyes but the tech is tremendous and it rides very well. The gas mileage is ok but thats all the only downfall about this vehicle. I actually love this car so much Im considering buying a 14 with the awd/tech package.

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  Outrates my past Cadillac - 1996 Acura TL
  By Michael - July 28 - 5:24 pm

  I have had this acura for four years now and it out performed my previous STS Cadillac. The only repair which I have had to do in the last four years was to replace the muffler. Yes, I was quoted like $600 for a muffler but, what I did was buy one using the internet with a rebate costing me only $114 usd, and then had it installed at a local mechanic for $25 since it was just three bolts to deal with but it required a lift to replace it. Overall great car!!!! I take care of it so it will last, why deal with car payments for a new one... LOL

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  My first foreign car - 2009 Acura TL
  By mike c - July 28 - 2:20 pm

  Coming off of a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, I test drove almost every luxury car you can think of. None of these cars have anything on the TL especially the price. This car is amazing. I was loyal to my Lincolns but this car is on a whole different level. I got the car for under invoice and they ate my last two payments on my Zephyr, cant beat that. Smoother, quiet and a lot better looking than the G37x, the Lexus nice car but overpriced and the interior is ugly.

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  The Family Sportscar! - 2007 Acura RDX
  By Critical - July 27 - 11:28 pm

  Absolutely great car. Tech package is easy to use. Heres the bad things... interior plastic scratches easy, 19 to 20 mpg avg., 92 octane gas. That being said this is the best car Ive ever owned. Im a "car nut" and backyard mechanic, this car is extremely easy to maintain. Ill drive this car till it dies!

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  Acura TL - Get One! - 2009 Acura TL
  By LMac - July 27 - 1:54 pm

  Excellent Car! The Tech Package is awesome - I purchased the car almost 2 weeks ago and I am still finding new neat features. Very pleased to find out that my family of 5 can ride comfortably in the car - me, my wife, my 9 year old, my 8 year old and my 15 month old (with car seat). Get one.