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 speed for those who dont use it - 2003 Acura CL
  By BigMike808 - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Great car for all of you out there who want a car with a little extra power and ridiculous features, but I have beaten this car daily, and my last car, a 91 plymouth acclaim took it better. The stock MXHX4s are garbage and I was told by the service manager that "These are the worst tires Ive seen with 2000 miles on them ever.", after taking the car to the track 2 times did that, I already need a front and rear alignment and a new rim (hit a curb in the snow). If you like having a fast car and babying it, this is the one for you. I enjoy it, but for 4 hunge a month, I should get a little more strumphiness

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  Fun Economy for the Young at Heart - 1994 Acura Integra
  By The Dean - May 31 - 3:00 pm

  This is a truly fun little coupe. I currently just turned 170k and it runs like a clock- getting 30+ mpg on regular gas. I am very pleased- I just dont like the size,it is very small, but until I need something bigger- I am going to truly enjoy the fun this offers. All electroncs work and work very well- the heat is hot, ac cold- radio fully functional. No groans or creeks- no second starts or leaks! Dont be afraid to pick on up with 100k plus- make sure it has been cared for, timing belt, cv boots, etc. normal wear care. Also be aware- this is a favorite of street racers, who although creative in their approach, beat the living daylights out of them- check records and be wise!

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  Bland but Dependable - 2001 Acura TL
  By JBCompton - May 31 - 1:28 pm

  Very strong engine, drive train. Suspension is a little on soft side. Assembly is outstanding. Biggest gripe is low roofline. Somewhat dull in the looks department but outweighed by quality and performance.

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  2016 Acura MDX ... NO Spare tire ... no tools - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Peter - May 26 - 4:59 am

  The base model has no spare tire and no tools to change one. I was stuck with a flat tire and had to go through an ordeal to get the flat fixed.

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  Pretty darn good - 1999 Acura CL
  By big c - May 25 - 7:11 pm

  I bought mine used and its a great car, good power very roomy for a coupe, take it up to 60 mph and let the fun begin, accelerates better at high speeds. Also retains value very well. Great thing is no options brings everything you might need in a coupe standard. And very comfortable in the back which is rare for a coupe.

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  Good Value SUV - 2007 Acura MDX
  By jt - May 20 - 1:43 am

  Good vehicle, good overall value. Handles well, lots of nice technological items inside. High seating.

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  TL vs. 540i - 2004 Acura TL
  By WAW - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I traded in a BMW 540i, because of the reviews and value. In every respect, except performance, the TL has been well worth the move. It rides more comfortably, is easier to drive, but still maintains the solid character of the German cars. If outright performance (read: boy racer) is less important (I have accepted I am no longer 23), then there is very little you give up in owning the TL (except an additional $20K).

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  The Fabulous GSR - 1999 Acura Integra
  By erp - April 30 - 8:13 pm

  Ive had this car for a year now and have had no problems until now. The engine is burning oil at the rate of about a quart a month. Fortunately I had been planning to do an engine rebuild before I realized the motor actually needed it. I bought the car with 72,000 miles on it so there could have been significant abuse to the engine prior to me owning it. Even still, I love my car and I plan to keep it forever. Overall its a great car.

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  2017 Acura MDX Improved Looks-Solid Performance - 2017 Acura MDX
  By J.Raia - April 28 - 12:45 am

  Excellent ride and performance. Fit an finish not consistently excellent (lift back alignment not up to luxury standards on my vehicle) but this is nit picking an otherwise very solidly constructed vehicle. Previous Acura product (2000 TLX) lasted more than 15 years and 300k miles. Brand is very reliable and safe choice. Most people will be very happy with the MDX. An great value!

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  Not good for freeways - 2002 Acura RSX
  By Phantom Menace - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Even though this car has nice suspension, which shows in handling, I feel every little bump on the freeway even on the smoothest surface. The seats do not help since they are as hard as a rock. Its a fun to drive car, but the comfort level is this car is very low. Going to trade this in and get the new 2003 Accord Coupe.