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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  Not so good - 2003 Acura TL
  By jpr - November 2 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Acura and probably last one. Mileage is very low. I believe there is something wrong with the transmission.

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  TL Type-S - 2003 Acura TL
  By brad - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Could not be happier...

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  My Best Car Ever - 2007 Acura TL
  By JK - October 31 - 8:43 am

  Its fun to drive again. After 20 years of driving "basic transportation" I once again have a car that I take out in the evening just for the pure pleasure of drving. The Acura TL is simply the best car I have had. Selected over the Infinit G35 and BMW 328i because of total cost of ownership and value per dollar.

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  Outstanding Sports Sedan! - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Mitch G - October 31 - 3:30 am

  Absolutely one of the best values out there in the true sports (bordering on luxury) sedans. You can pay almost $10K more if you really need the BMW name. If youre okay without it, however, this car wont let you down. Once inside and driving it, youll be sold. I cant help but smile every time I get in my new TSX. Im 100% pleased - no buyers remorse at all.

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  Really like, but disappointed - 2004 Acura TSX
  By livin to the fullest - October 30 - 9:45 pm

  Have owned my blue 6spd TSX for a few years and up until the last couple months everything has been fine expect chipping paint which started shortly after purchase > 20k and acura refused to fix. Within the last 3 months I have replaced rotators, pads, ac condenser and now a clutch totaling approximately 3500.00. Granted my car does have 94k but its housed in the garage and well taken care of. Expected to get over 100k before and major problems have arose and have had 2 within a short time. Gravely upset really wanted another acura but it definitely has made me think twice.

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  EGR - 1999 Acura TL
  By Lynnerksu - October 29 - 10:37 pm

  I bought the car in 2005 with 32,000 miles on it. I love the car but now it has about 72,000 miles and has been in the shop for the EGR. Other than that its been a perfect inexpensive car.

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  Good used car to buy - 1997 Acura RL
  By Good car to buy used - October 28 - 4:18 pm

  I bought this car with 70,000 miles. It is a highway car made to go 70 mph. There is a lot of wind noise at higher speed and it shakes a lot going past 85 mph. Pickup is awful. Leather in seats is average (not worth $44,000 new). Back seats are cramped, other car I own (1998 toyota avalon) has roomy rear seats, even with front seats all the way back.

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  WOW! - 2010 Acura TSX
  By DarkHelmet - October 28 - 12:42 pm

  Ive only had this car for a week and I am in love with it. I cant stop driving it... I already put 1000 miles on it and I live a mile away from work... The car drives smooth, is quick to the touch and is super comfortable. I only have the four cylinder too, and its really fast and quick.

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  Excellent Car - 2003 Acura RSX
  By Bob Gillette - October 28 - 2:00 am

  The 2002 and 2003 Acura RSX and Acura RSX Type-S are top-notch cars. I, myself, own a type-s model and have found no problems at all with it. It performs well, has great acceleration, great fuel economy, and is an outstanding car overall. Number one on my list is maintenance also, and I find this car to be right up there. I have had no problems with the engine or any part of the car at all. I change the oil and Im done! 10/10 Stars

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  Sweet Ride - 2003 Acura RSX
  By hansbuby - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a sweet car. Engine at high revs makes a sweet sound. So far, very reliable, no problems.