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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  Great car if youre short - 2010 Acura ZDX
  By Reeblover - April 5 - 5:44 pm

  Everything about this car is typically Acura. Great build. Excellent ergonomics. The only thing lacking is head room. With the drivers seat all the way down my head was within 2" of the ceiling. (I am 6 foot tall). I couldnt get into the back seat. Not only was it difficult physically, but my head touched the ceiling. Loved the car but would never buy one.

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  Excellent Choice - 2010 Acura MDX
  By Antonio - April 4 - 12:00 pm

  I upgrade from a Mitsubishi Montero 2001 to the MDX 2010. The MDX handling is great and the interiors are awesome. The sporty looks is the best not a round, bulky look.

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  Good Value - 2010 Acura MDX
  By Jay - April 3 - 3:31 pm

  I looked at ML 350, Audi Q7/Q5, and X5. The MDX seemed to offer the right features for the right price. I am completely satisfied with my choice. It is a solid car that is fun to drive.

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  Hole in Piston - 2003 Acura TL
  By taxrefnd - April 3 - 3:29 pm

  Ive been a long time Honda believer and my immediate family currently own 6 Honda/Acura cars. With my recent experience with a 2003 Acura TL motor, I may never buy another Honda product. First had a CEL and needed a new timing belt tensioner, then 3 months later another CEl and this time it was revealed a hole in the piston. Only had 55K miles and a hole? Was too costly to repair so had a used motor installed. Honda refused to pay for anything siting "out of warranty" Some Honda motor. Now Im worried about the transmission which is slipping from 2nd to 3rd. Need to get rid of it soon to some poor sucker.

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  disappointing - 2003 Acura TL
  By ccccccc - April 3 - 2:22 am

  Has well documented transmission problems. I have a 7 yr 100k warranty that expired 3 mos ago & i have 94k. I bought this as a certified used car at an acura dealer. Due to known issues & under mileage talked to Acura Client Svcs. but did no good. S.O.L. Replacement $4500. Do your research or better skip it

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  Nice ride! - 1994 Acura Integra
  By DA_RICK - April 2 - 7:16 pm

  I just bought my second integra. My first i was also a 94. I sold it and regretted it that same day :( it took me four years to find another one. Its great with gas and very strong. I put straight piping on it and it sounds great!

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  Loved this SUV - 2005 Acura MDX
  By CaptReg - April 2 - 4:37 pm

  Bought MDX because it could be towed behind my RV and provide an upscale trim/features than other towable vehicles. Loved this vehicle. Never had a single problem in over 5 years of driving and towing, just scheduled maintenance. Interior has everything and well designed. Id definitely buy a new one, but the new ones cant be towed - too bad. I highly recommend this vehicle - great family SUV.

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  Acura TSX Buyers: Check the Lights! - 2010 Acura TSX
  By Unhappy Acura Owner - April 1 - 7:41 pm

  Two weeks ago I purchased an Acura TSX. The car seemed acceptable during the test drive. Three days later, I drove it at night for the first time. The HID lights cast a brilliant white curtain at hood level and below. Above the hood there was only darkness! I literally could not see 30 feet in front of me. The dealer said, "I would just have to get used to the lights". This is a severe safety issue. The Infiniti G has HID lights, like the TSX, but they do not cast the same light curtain, I know because I traded the TSX in yesterday for a 2010 G37X.

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  Lexus E350 Replacement - 2010 Acura TL
  By Bartco - March 31 - 9:37 am

  Bought this car to replace a Lexus E350 that we had lost confidence in (wife was afraid to drive it due to reported acceleration problems). The Acura TL AWD is a remarkably tight car with outstanding suspension, excellent seating, and nice interior enhancements. The tech package is superb and easy to learn to use. Stereo surround sound on CDs is remarkable. The one complaint we have is that the road, engine, and tire noise (low profile, high performance tires?) is annoying! Its as bad as my Ford pickup. This is, however, a great car for the money.

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  2010 MDX TECH - 2010 Acura MDX
  By jvette - March 30 - 5:39 pm

  The MDX has been a wonderful experience and has help up to my expectations. The seats are very comfortable and this thing will flat get up and go.