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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  Will Never Leave Acura Again - 2009 Acura TSX
  By Ken - June 27 - 10:25 pm

  Had an 06 TSX and traded it for a pre-owned 06 Mercedes E350. Immediately started having problems with the Benz. Traded back to an 09 TSX w/Tech and have never been happier. Yes, suspension is a little rough but I love the feel of the road and the fun it is to drive. Ill never leave Acura again.

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  RSX RIPPER - 2002 Acura RSX
  By mofo187 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with high intent for performance. When the rpm reaches 6, it roars.

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  Wish I can get the 2003.. - 2003 Acura MDX
  By TYP - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Just when I thought I got the best car I can find for my needs.. I was prooven wrong.. The 2003 MDX have much more of cool stuff..

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  A perfect 10 - 2003 Acura TL
  By Steven A. - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I have driven the 2003 TL Type S for two months with no problems whatsoever. It is truly a solidly- built car with lots of power, very comfortable, fun to drive, etc., etc., etc. I would not want to own any other car under $40k.

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  TSX Infatuation - 2005 Acura TSX
  By luvmytsx - June 26 - 7:33 pm

  I am totally in love with this car. It accelerates quickly, handles very well even in heavy rain. The navi is great, especially in areas with lots of one way streets, or when to get home is different than getting to a location. As a pragmatist that wants luxury it fits the bill with the performance I want and the comfort and style to boot. Im getting 23.9 miles per gallon in heavy DC traffic.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2004 Acura TSX
  By Fokker70 - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I have just over 4500 miles in a short 5 month period. The car is a joy to comute in, to travel in, to drive around the block. I couldnt be happier with it as of right now. Carbon Grey w/Black Interior is suprising cool in the hot summer months, but even it wasnt, the hvac system is so powerful, it would cool it down in mere seconds. Great Carb

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  What an awesome vehicle - 2005 Acura TL
  By Rags - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought my TL at the end of March 2004. I love everything about it. It drives with ease and performs exceptionally well. The interior is something I enjoy every time I get in the car. The navigation system is easy to use and has already paid for itself with 6 months use. I consistently get 29 to 30 mpg on pure highway driving. This amazes me since it is so powerful and responsive to drive. The sound system is awesome and I elected to subscribe to XM radio after my free 90 day subscription expired. I considered BMW and Lexus models in the same class but felt that the Acura TL offers the best value $ for $. I highly recommend this vehicle. Buy it. You wont be disappointed!!

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  Our 3rd TSX - 2010 Acura TSX
  By D hoffman - June 25 - 9:02 am

  Just bought 3rd TSX. Trade was 2007 TSX. First 2010 in our area. Much improved. Better ride and handling. Better nav. Has 2.4 engine auto. paid 31100. Trade 21800.

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  Nice - 2016 Acura RDX
  By Frank Runco - June 24 - 9:01 am

  This is our 3rd RDX and I must say the 2011 was best the best handling and most fun to drive although kinda choppy. I liked that, wife didnt. We got the advanced package and the tech is way much and rather complicated for her. Its her car and she likes it. Got the advanced because of parking sensors front and back and nicer rims. Biggest complaint was the lack of color selection (did away with silver-now slate silver BLUE) ugh. Bought the white. Almost went to BMW because of that. Interior selection also limited, parchment only with white, no black. They still insist on a 16 gallon tank, way too small considering mileage has been about 21. Always stopping to feel up. Took a small 200 mile trip and still about 22.5. Weve never had an issue with an Acura product and love our dealer. Have a 12 TSX and 14 TL SHAWD as well. Love them all. In retrospect tech would have been fine at 3000 less. And yes she would buy again. UPDATE Have now had this vehicle 7 months and still not sure of the tech stuff and not liking most of it. Hard to see buttons and writing on them. Find myself searching all the time. Dual screen is foolish, makes no sense and is distracting while driving and hard to see in sun. Stupid that you cant operate phone book while driving. I guess designers think its safer to pick up a phone and start searching. My 12 TSX and 14 TL both tech so much more user friendly. Find myself looking for those keys when heading out. Wife can have this thing, doesnt bother her because she ignores tech anyway.

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  Zippy Class - 2005 Acura TL
  By esther - June 23 - 8:43 pm

  This is the 3rd TL Ive owned. It is elegant yet young in appeal, smooth, zippy on the highway, well appointed and very satisfying to drive. I just wish it were a hybrid, now!