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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  Fun for the Aging Boomer - 2003 Acura TL
  By jbscoop - December 22 - 10:00 am

  TL-S is great driving. Surprisingly good MPG. Traded up from an A-4. Performance is comparable. Interior comfort is much better. And cost about 6-8 K less!! Minor nitpick. The paint coat seems susceptible to dings. I seem to be getting a few too many nicks.

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  Best Sporty Bet in Full Sized Four Door - 2003 Acura TL
  By Dave TL-S - December 22 - 10:00 am

  The TL-S is nearly a true sports car masquerading as a family sedan. Gobs of power, great stereo, supremely comfortable seats on long rides, perforated leather keeps things comfy; Great seating for four adults with a huge trunk; endless options list. A similarly equiped BMW would cost $40k+. Handling has some problems with standard front/rear sway bars.

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  Deeply Conflicted - 2009 Acura RDX
  By fischb - December 22 - 8:32 am

  I am deeply conflicted about this car. It drives sporty and tight, but on rough pavement it is too bumpy. There are 3 competing electronic displays, but technology is about 8 years old. Voice recognition is the worst as is the nav. Fuel economy is stellar for this segment, 22 MPG, but linear accelleration is impossible due to the mismanaged turbos. The leather is cheaper than Benzs imitation stuff. Handling on snow is bad due to torquiness, so I had to get snow tires. Exterior styling is suspect, but I like its small size. In the end, I am trading after one year for a BMW X6, if only to save my sanity from the tortuous fan whine when you turn on the heat.

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  You Get Your Moneys Worth w/this Car!!! - 1996 Acura Integra
  By DTMus - December 21 - 8:54 pm

  Bought this new. After 180K I can tell you that this car was made INCREDIBLY well!!! The stories you hear about Acura r true. Other than having to replace the radiator, Ive done nothing vs. an occasional tune up and the usual (change clutch at 140K, timing belt, brakes, etc.). Engine and transmission have worked flawlessly since day one and still very responsive and peppy. Only "gripe" is that parts of the paint have started to bubble up and show its age, but heck, it IS 15 yrs old. If youre looking for a well-made car that will STILL serve you well- then look no further.

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  Acura 2009 MDX Sport AWD - 2009 Acura MDX
  By usaheadhunter - December 20 - 9:34 am

  Purchased after looking at all the rest BMW, Mercedes, Enclave, Audi, Toyota. Sport package took me over the edge to buy. Handling is fantastic. Seating excellent. Controls easy to use. Cost to own seems relatively strong in Edmunds. We will have to wait and see. After two years, this automobile should have 6 speed transmission. Looks like 2010 will finally have one. When I found out it had build parts in Canada, wanted to turn it back in to the dealer!

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  GSR V-TECH - 1998 Acura Integra
  By ACURA!!!!!! - December 19 - 11:23 pm

  I absolutely love my Acura!!! This has to be the best car Ive owned! The driving is outstanding. Such a smooth, quiet ride and is so much fun to drive. Never had any problems and dont think I will for a very long time.

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  Second Acura and keep coming back - 2007 Acura MDX
  By MDXOWNER - December 19 - 8:34 pm

  This is our second Acura (first was a 2005 TL) and I purchased the MDX for my wife because we needed more room for a growing family. It’s been two years and it still turns heads on the road (even mine after I park it) because the styling is simple, yet screams “I have 300 hp under this hood”. Overall, you cannot go wrong with the Acura brand from a prestige, reliability and value standpoint. The MDX is upscale and it’s easy to scoff at BMW or Mercedes because of the superb value of the MDX. Acura has simple options and doesn’t hold you hostage with multiple ‘option packages’ in order to get what you want.

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  A perfect 10 - 2010 Acura TSX
  By nonlinear - December 18 - 10:03 pm

  Could be one of the best bangs for your buck for this year and possibly forever! Acura has finally figured out what just about every driver wants in a luxury sedan. The car offers a little bit of everything to just about anyone who has ever wanted a car with that perfect combination of options. The TL is also a great car as well as the RDX and MDX. But the TSX combines style with logic and poof there you have it, the perfect 10.

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  Acura TL - 2006 Acura TL
  By paynesters - December 18 - 10:10 am

  Before buying this car, I test drove the G35, CTS, ES, 330i, and Mercedes C. All of these vehicles are very much on their game, but the TL edged them out for me. 258 horses and 233 pounds feet torque, the only option is whether or not you want the TL with Nav, and what type transmission you desire. Price wise with all the same options, the competition could not compete. This car handles like a dream, and man is it quiet. I wish the information screen was placed in the Nav screen, and the now famous key fob was an option. I will tell you, if you are in the market for a Luxury Sedan without breaking the bank, the TL is more than worth a look!

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  Started out Infiniti ended up Acura - 2010 Acura TL
  By Fran Sullivan - December 17 - 9:16 pm

  Test drove the base and SH-AWD Acura TL. The SH-AWD, right out of the gate was just smiles. The base driving experience was not the same. Competent but no fun. My teenage expert agrees the acura has a better feel and the tech stuff really is impressive. I bought a white TL with Umber leather. The wife claims it is a mans car (I can live with that). I am getting 23 MPG with a light foot. Fun driving results in 18 MPG. Get the tech package. Honda does that right.