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 SUV - 2009 Acura RDX
  By Rich - January 31 - 11:03 pm

  Just purchased this vehicle yesterday and just wanted to say that my family and I enjoy every feature. Very quick in response off the line. Can barely feel the gears shift. Interior very well designed. Many fun options even with a base model. Why spend 4,000 more for a nav and a couple extra speakers? Handling is great. Gas mileage is to be expected from having a turbo installed. To anyone else complaining about this you should do your homework first. Besides wouldnt want to give your car the best of the best servicing? Thats what makes cars last longer. Take this for what its worth yet this car is a great small family vehicle.

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  210,000 miles on 04 Acura TL - 2004 Acura TL
  By Seth - January 31 - 9:32 pm

  Hi All! Im back to share updates with you on my 2004 Acura TL. I now have 210,000 miles on it and this is how its fared! I have had two timing belts put on (one at 100k miles and another at the 200k mark). Along with the timing belts at each 100k mark I had the spark plugs replaced, water pump and serpentine belt. I just replaced the transmission at 209k miles. I also had to have the o-ring seals replaced in the power steering pump. At every 50k mark I had the transmission and engine coolant flushed. The car is working great! I am still getting between 28 and 31 mpg depending on how I drive. (I am a cop and sometimes drive it like my squad car.) Fit and finish are still good.

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  I am smiling again - 2005 Acura RSX
  By PACA - January 29 - 12:01 am

  I have been driving Acura’s for the past 25 years. I had a 91 & 99 Integra GSRs and must say these cars for the money were the best all around. Stepped up to a couple of TLs and was quite disappointed with the Acura Brand as I questioned build quality. Decided to give the brand one more chance by purchasing used 05 RSX Type-s. This car as I recalled from the past has a solid build quality with lots of fun factor. Mechanically sound with no problems, excellent gas mileage and a NATURALLY aspirated 210 hp engine. Six speed gear shift is remarkable even with 161K miles.

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  Great Car For The Price - 1998 Acura Integra
  By Zeron18 - January 28 - 9:20 pm

  Ive had this car for 2 years now and its just like the day I got it. It performs nicely. It has the initial torque I was looking for. Handles real smoothly in the highways. Im not a big fan of full leather interior but its more luxurious. Havent had any engine problems besides the stock radiator that gave up on me, which was about the right time it should wear down 120k. Clutch still grabs hard and flywheel revs up faster than most other sport cars Ive driven. Comes with 15 in wheels and larger brake rotors than the 94-97 models which is another bonus. Looking back at it, Ive got no regrets buying this car.

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  Best car I have owned - 2004 Acura TSX
  By Love it - January 28 - 6:23 pm

  I just bought this car and I have never been so satisfied. I love the features. The only complaint I have is that on a rare occasion the navigation would be a street off some times, otherwise its great!!

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  The RDX offers the best overall value for money. - 2016 Acura RDX
  By Gene - January 27 - 12:03 am

  It may not be the best vehicle in each and every category in its class, but when you weigh the pros and cons of the competition, it comes out on top. The factors that I look at in an SUV, are ride, performance, styling, interior room, resale and reliability. Sure, if money wasnt a factor, I would have chosen an Audi 6 cylinder Q5, or a BMW twin turbo X3. I just dont see $10,000 to $12,000 worth of difference. Keep in mind most of the competition comes standard with 4 cylinder engines. The RDX has surpassed my expectations in my early ownership, and I suffer no buyers remorse. My only issue is that I had to pay $468 to the service department for a "spare tire kit", as it comes with only an inflator and sealant pump. Other then that, all is well with my RDX.

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  Graduating through the Honda line - 2008 Acura TL
  By john - January 26 - 9:06 am

  I bought my first civic in 85 and have owned a prelude, odessey and had been driving a 98 Accord with 172K miles. I thought it was time to continue with my Honda loyalty until they give me a reason not to, so I stepped up in class and bought the 08 TL in October. After 4 months, I have been very happy with this car. It looks plain from the outside, but is loaded with features. I would recommend it to anyone who wants high- performance, luxury and value.

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  More Pros than Cons - 2009 Acura TSX
  By MrG - January 25 - 11:07 pm

  I decided on the TSX after test driving and pricing all the cars in its class. The TSX was the best bang for the buck bar none. My only complaint is the front grill of the car. Which can be easily fixed with some aftermarket tuning (this is why Hondas are GREAT!). The steering is fine, the power is fine, and the interior was probably the best. A lot of people are dinging this car, but what do they expect? They want Acura to give them the power of a g35/is350 at a fraction of the cost? Get real. For what i paid for this car id be lucky to get a base is250/328i, and what fun would that be?

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  TL - 2006 Acura TL
  By Shell - January 24 - 12:20 am

  The Acura TL is a fun car to drive. I absolutely love my new car. Everything you need when fighting traffic, or just taking a ride, is just a voice command away. If your looking for a car, I highly recommend you take this car for a test drive. You will love it too.

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  Such a fun car - 1993 Acura Legend
  By Abram - January 23 - 7:08 pm

  I bought my Legend a little over a year ago. This is the best car I have ever owned! I was driving a friends Jag the other night and couldnt believe that my car at 15 years old was ten times better in tightness, comfort, and speed. I got really lucky and bought mine from an older couple with around 90k miles. If you are wondering if you should buy one and youve found one that has been taken care of.. Buy it!!