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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  transmission failure - 2003 Acura TL
  By emmett gonzalez - February 20 - 10:03 pm

  Bought the 2003 TL brand new. Comfortable and smooth ride. Interior features adequate and functioned well since driven off the lot. The transmission failed at 81,000 miles. We never got a notice that the transmission was under recall but the dealer still required me to pay $1,000 out of the $3,000 cost for a new transmission. Previous to the transmission failure they try a "fix," that did not work. Some kind of deal.

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  2010 ZDX - 2010 Acura ZDX
  By NC Doc - February 19 - 7:36 pm

  While I thought the new ZDX looked terrific in photos, it is way better looking in person. Good performance, definitely not a sports car. Great design inside and out. Very quiet and comfortable. This is not a family car, but I would recommend it to anyone who doesnt regularly need the back seat.

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  Nothing better for the money - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Dan - February 19 - 2:29 pm

  When looking for a practical yet sport sedan for under $30k there is simply nothing better. You cant beat Acura reliability not to mention this car is a lot of fun on the highway. Couple this with the almost 30mpg I am averaging and this makes for the best car for under $30k. Also, I currently have 70k miles on this car and havent spent a penny on it, aside from routine maintenance (oil changes, etc)

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  What a joy to drive - 2010 Acura TL
  By Matt Daly - February 19 - 1:47 pm

  Purchased my second Acura TL, had an 06 and went to the 10. SH AWD is phenomenal, it really handles great. We experienced record snowfall in February in PA and it was awesome, went past people in front wheel drive stuck on hills with about 5 inches on the ground. At one point stopped on a hill to wait for someone to get out of the way (normally a cardinal sin) car made it up the hill without any issues. The ride is great, the power is plenty and the price is great.

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  One of the best cars ever made - 1990 Acura Legend
  By T-Bone - February 18 - 11:16 pm

  When I bought the car it had 213,000 miles on it, original engine and trans. It runs like a dream still. I just passed the smog test. The car has 226,000 miles on it now and Ive had no trouble at all(knock on wood). I havent even done a tune up yet. IMO this is one of the best cars ever made. It just keeps going! This will be the car I compare all others to.

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  My Most Reliable Car Ever - 2004 Acura TSX
  By Sean - February 18 - 11:52 am

  What can I say, 117,000kms and most expensive maintenance/repair was replacing the brakes. This has definitely been the most reliable car Ive ever owned as well as the most fuel efficient for a peppy little sports sedan.

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  great package-style, performance,quality - 2010 Acura TL
  By joe - February 17 - 4:03 pm

  Put about 1000 miles so far. Comfortable, great in snow,effortless shifts,surprising performance. I like the look-its different.

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  What an SUV - 2010 Acura MDX
  By Richie Rich - February 16 - 7:06 pm

  I replaced my 08 MDX and what an upgrade. The 2010 MDX is so much more refined, responsive, and quiet. The technological improvements are extremely good. Love the chrome window trim, less aggressive active head restraint and the silky smooth 6 speed automatic transmission.

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  Great after 4 years - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Jay - February 16 - 2:03 pm

  I bought my pre owned MDX at 62000, driving it since then for 10 months I am a satisfied customer. I like the build quality and handling. at 69000 it still runs quiet on the road. during the recent snow it drives superb with great AWD controls and traction.

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  Buyer Beware - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Post Captain - February 15 - 9:45 pm

  Bought this car brand new and have always maintained it properly, including the replacement of the timing belt at 105K. Since that time it has been a money guzzling machine. Left rear mirror fell out with motor assembly to the tune of $329. Drivers side seat moulding broken along with loose drivers seat. Now Ive been told that the power steering is shot, a motor mount is broke, the seal around the left headlight needs to be replaced, among other things. Total anticipated cost $3-5,000. For all Acura says about quality, I dont know that I will buy another one.