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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  First Time Acura Owner - Best Car Ever - 2004 Acura TL
  By DHJM - February 5 - 4:02 pm

  After owner several other vehicles and test driving Audi, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, I fell in love with many of the practical features that the TL has to offer. The car is perfect for short and long-haul commutes. Gas mileage could be a little better, I get 21-22 MPG city and 30-31 on the hwy @ 78 MPH. The handling is excellent. The beverage holders could be a little deeper with an optional spacer if you wanted it. A can of soda will fit, but you cannot use the over in the center column. The trunk space is plenty for a long trip with luggage and the rear seats have enough leg room for any discerning passenger.

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  Almost perfect - 2004 Acura RSX
  By Tim - February 5 - 12:54 pm

  Bought it used in 2008 with only 24000 miles. I noticed it gets very good fuel economy at around 35 mpg highway @70mph. The acceleration is moderately quick though the automatic version I have lacks low end punch but I feel a much higher kick above the 3000 RPM range. It handles very well in most situations. Although the inside is more sporty than luxury, thats what is expected. I overall think its better than the majority of its competition and worth a look.

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  Always fun, Never bored! - 2008 Acura MDX
  By mchina - February 5 - 5:36 am

  I test drove some of the other luxury SUVs out there, but none compare with the ride and the handling I get from my MDX. For the price you really get almost more than you can ever ask for. Fully loaded with options, some I didnt even know I wanted, its a great ride around town, out on a twisty back road, or cruising down the interstate. The sound system is exceptional. And the DVD keeps my son very happy with movies and games. And on cold winter days, my back seat passengers loved the heated seats. Navigation and bluetooth are great, especially with the voice activation. The SH-AWD makes me feel secure in any kind of driving environment. Just want to drive fast and push it to the limit!

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  Really nice SUV - 2002 Acura MDX
  By oceansix - February 4 - 10:33 pm

  The best vehicle that I have ever owned. Lots of cargo space. Good fuel mileage and range considering how powerful the engine is. Great AWD system for driving on wet or icy asphalt roads. Excellent turning radius. I like the ride and I find the seats to be comfortable. Can tow up to 4,500 pounds (boat) or 3,500 pounds if any other type of trailer towed, but requires the addition of transmission and power steering fluid coolers.

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  2008 Acura TL Type-S - 2008 Acura TL
  By lfloeck87 - February 4 - 6:20 pm

  Came to the dealer looking for a TSX, Ended up going home with the TL type S. Amazing ride for a performance veichle, love the aggressive look. I got the pearl white w/the grey rims, totally bad look. Love the bluetooth and navi, there are so many buttons though, could be more organzied! Great pickup, a real sleeper. Came to this car from a c230 kompressor. HUGE difference, car is much better built and easier to maintain gotta love hondas reliable and user friendly v-tech. Only 110 miles on the car but I feel Ive made a great, reliable purchase. Plenty of room in the back for adults too! The only thing that is kinda crummy is the gas mileage, but hey, its got power!

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  My 4th Acura (2nd TL) - 2005 Acura TL
  By Ken in LA - February 3 - 10:33 pm

  Im an Acura guy, no doubt about it. My last car was a 2002 TL Type S. What a car!! I was nervous changing to the 2005 TL, thinking there was no way to match up. Ive been pleasantly surprised. The 2005 is a bit tighter on the road, and the new Blue Tooth, voice activated NAV features are great!! If you want a FUN car to drive, one thats reliable, one that will have people looking your way, and one thats still very practical (trunk space, 4 adult seating, decent mileage), go with the TL.

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  My TL - 2004 Acura TL
  By My TL - February 3 - 9:50 pm

  30+ cars later and 3rd Acura. I forgot how great these cars are. Its a great compromise of wanting a BMW with reliability and a more reasonable price. I picked up my TL with 59K miles for under $15K. Handles very well. Plenty of power for quicker takeoffs. Comfortable, luxurious, and overall fun to drive compared to my last car (Accord, yeah I know, but it was a bargain). When its time to change again, I think I will stick with TLs.

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  You will be very happy with this car - 2006 Acura TL
  By Mr Ed - February 3 - 6:13 am

  I recently traded in my 03 TK with 85k for this and what an upgrade! I REALLY liked my 03, but this model and year is a real treat, better performance, better fuel economy and more room on the inside as well. More toys to play with and the Navi system is a must have and worth the cost.

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  Great ride - 2005 Acura RL
  By mike - February 1 - 10:30 pm

  Like riding on clouds. Very quiet interior with super sound system, esp the DVD audio. Great handling and power, esp with the paddle shifters. Fit and finish are perfect. Navigation is intuitive.

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  09 MDX Tech/Ent Review - 2009 Acura MDX
  By JT - February 1 - 1:05 pm

  Upon owning my MDX for 2 months now, I am in some areas very impressed and in some areas let down a little. 15/20 is the advertised fuel economy. I have managed as much as 28 MPG cruising at 58 MPH on the interstate. I have a combined average of 19.8 since new. On a 2500 mile trip I got 23.0. Very impressive. Downs - black interior trim swirls and scratches like crazy. Leather seating looks like its been sat in for 10 years already. It sags and has permanent indentions. I use Meguiars Leather cleaner/conditioner and it makes them look clean and shiny, but leather still looks worn beyond actual life. Car is strong as heck, does what I want it to, but seats and trim are questions.