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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  stuck wt. transmission woes ??? - 2002 Acura MDX
  By tfit - October 5 - 2:00 am

  We just purchased our mdx after having 3 odysseys.The main objective was to move into a high quality, performance suv. Honda was always great to us when service was required on our vans. Now the problem....our mdx is having a 1500 rpm transmission shutter. it has 42000 miles. By doing proper research I know it will need a transmission. it has the same transmission probems as some hondas( that honda will cover to 100,000 miles).So far acura is doing warranty to 50,000 miles.Acura is playing games with customers and treating problems case by case , as not to tarnish the acura image by hidding its real problems from the public.

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  Navigation System - 2004 Acura RL
  By Andy D - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Navigation system maps not current. Has business on opposite of street and list stores that have been closed for ten years. Dealer response excellent manufacturer remains unresponsive and ignores the problem.

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  Awesome Ride - 1995 Acura Integra
  By Naterbaseball - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I love my GS-R. These cars are so fun to drive and reliable. You dont have to worry about anything as long as you do regular matenince. For the price you cant find anything better, with the DOHC V-tec engine it makes trips to the store exciting! I would recommend this car to anyone who has the desire to have a sports car at a reasonable price!

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  wow! BEST DEAL IN TOWN - 2001 Acura CL
  By paganpink - September 30 - 2:00 am

  The type S begs to be driven in a sporty manner, but has a comfortable ride at any time. I highly recommend several basic changes that will awaken this incredible car 1, Buy the AEM cold air intake,(2-3 hundred).The increase in performance is amazing,10- 15 horsepower, and the 2nd intake opening at 5k RPM in the S engine sounds absolutely incredible.2.Buy the Eibach springs (2-3 hundred.)Hugely improves handling at all speeds with no loss of ride quality! Giving it a more aggressive appearance and keeping it glued to the turns. 3. Buy a 75 horse shot of nitrous (7-8). Engine computers will never let it run lean, and you now outrun BMWs,350z,V-8 Camaros,&

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  Fun/ Comfy SUV - 2002 Acura MDX
  By jag69 - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Weve taken several long (1600 mile) trips in the MDX, and it is comfortable and flexible for us (2 Adults, 3 Children). Quiet, nice CD player, and easy to maneuver, makes it a nice machine to operate. The key fob actuated seat and mirror positioning memory is also very nice as my wife and I change off driving. We were left with a defective battery on one of our extended trips. The much touted "Acura Customer Care" was fairly useless in getting us into a mechanic for a replacement. And it was a warranty item, as the cell had a defect. That was frustrating. Otherwise, after 27000 miles, no other issues.

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  Great car - bad climate control system - 2004 Acura TL
  By MadCow2 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Great car, lots of great features, fun to drive, nice power. Climate control system is terrible. Fan makes lots of noise, but moves insufficient air to allow comfort throughout cabin. Poor airflow to the feet. It is so bad, I hope there is a redesign and recall - so speak up people!

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  RSX S - 2002 Acura RSX
  By sgRSX-S - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car for 16 months and it is everything that the reviews said and more! I am especially thrilled with the quality of the interior. The BOSE sound system is the best Ive heard for a stock stereo. A little road noise but what a great ride. I will soon be buying a 350 Z but will miss my RSX-S as I will likely sacrifice interior styling and sound system quality for pure speed. I considered the Hyundai Tiburon but after three test drives of each I made the decision to go with the RSX-S based on the interior and resale value (and the ACURA name). Also I just couldnt see myself in a "Hyundai." After owning the car for over a year I cant believe I

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  I expected better from Honda - 1998 Acura RL
  By anaizi1 - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Several significant flaws: 1- Even with all widows tightly closed, the car is not quiet enough a great disappointment for me. 2 The car does not move quickly enough nor does it start off with umph. 3- The glove compartment is barely large enough to hold a pair of gloves.

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  Keep On Runnin - 2002 Acura TL
  By Northwest Guy - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Have had vehicle for under two years with 18k mi. Ive read reviews about transmission issues, cheap interior, tires, as well as those who love to drive. Traded in a 93 Taurus SHO with a 24 valve Yamaha engine - Type S cant produce that power. The low center of gravity makes it handle exceptionally well on hard curves and turns (much better than the bloaty feeling in a Taurus). Once moving on water-slickened roads here in the NW, I havent had ANY problems. Interior issues for some dont bother me - its cleanly designed. Agree that transmission isnt perfect when running in auto mode v. tiptronic on the fly sliding cover under sun roof rattles.

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  More smiles per mile! - 2003 Acura CL
  By racingpharm - September 18 - 2:00 am

  The BEST performance car I have ever owned(1st car: 63 Chevelle w/396ci v8 and 2nd 69 Chevy Camaro SS-350). The Acura CL Type-S 6-speed has smoother torque off the line and accelerates without hesitation PLUS gets decent gas mileage for a "performance" sedan... 25- 27mpg highway! Absolutely great fun driving thru heavy traffic! Havent had any mechanical problems with the vehicle (48000 miles current) except for a stuck home-labeled cd in the changer (which was covered under the warranty). Great car, great dealership! Power plus great finish (not luxury but great fit and finish=quality) in my book!