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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  Cool car, as I expected - 2008 Acura TL
  By stever469 - October 20 - 8:38 pm

  I first saw the 2008 model at the Chicago Auto Show and fell in love. I wanted the Nighthawk Black Pearl, but ended up with Kinetic Blue Pearl with the dark Type S wheels. I love the way it looks and especially the way it drives! Lots of power, friendly operation, awesome stereo system, I cant say enough about this car. Most people ask me "who owns that fancy car"?. My answer, "that would be me".

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  best car for the money - 2002 Acura RSX
  By RSX lover - October 20 - 10:00 am

  My choice was between the Jetta 1.8T and the RSX Type-S. The Jetta offered more low-end torque, but the RSX blinded me with smooth handling and beautiful interior. Just like a Lamborgini, the tach and speedometer dials point down. At night, the mesmorizing red glow of the dials appears completely uniform across the dash. Not all looks, you feel every bit of the 200hp with the I-VTEC engine.

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  Discreet Hot-Rod - 2008 Acura TL
  By Bruce - October 20 - 12:50 am

  Almost 2 months of ownership, 1500 miles and Im still in love. I was going to purchase the 08 335i (drove sedan/coupe) - as a fluke (just happened to be at the dealership with a friend) I drove the TL Type S and bought the car the next day (no comparison to the BMW). The growl of the quad exhaust is hot. The car looks a bit demure but hit the gas and watch out! Everyone loves it. As most here, I also got the Carbon Bronze Pearl and think that color suits the darker rims very well. Im very glad I decided to take a test drive that day. I also drove the car with an auto transmission and like the automatic better (the second auto Ive ever owned).

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  Reliable & Sporty at almost 10 yrs! - 1999 Acura CL
  By JJ - October 19 - 3:00 pm

  I got a 99 CL in 02 as a certified used car, giving up my 91 Prelude. My CL is a step up in size, luxury (leather) and nice power accessories! It doesnt corner as tight as a Prelude, but its sporty-looking & very reliable. Consumer Reports continues to list it every year as one of its best used car values. Mine has never given me any problems, still has a smooth ride, & feels comfortable and roomy for long trips. I wish there were a 4 cyl. luxury coupe out there now from Honda or Acura to compare to it! Mileage is pretty good-about 28 highway, and mid 20s city. My CL is almost 10 years old but I wont get rid of it, since theres nothing else in a 4 cyl luxury coupe to compare to it.

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  Used TL - 2005 Acura TL
  By smokeem - October 18 - 2:51 pm

  I purchased my white TL with 60k earlier this year. I was hesitant since it had so many miles but the car runs like a champ. I have put on about 15k mile on it in 10 months and it runs perfect! I came from owning 3 V8 Mustangs, 1 of which had 400rwhp... the TL is just as much fun to drive as those and its probably faster than my old 5.0. What really attracted me to the Acura was the interior. I test drove many cars from MB, BMW, Lexus and the Acuras was easily the best. My vehicle has 75k on the odometer now the interior still looks new, GPS/Bluetooth are still top notch compared to new 2009 vehicles... to top it off the pricing on these vehicles is great as well.

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  A Dream Come True - 2004 Acura TL
  By Joker22 - October 17 - 4:22 pm

  I purchased this car after months and months of review searching and comparisons. I could not be any happier with this vehicle. My biggest priority was comfort and that is the TLs selling point. The car is absolutely beautiful inside and out. Engine is strong and I am averaging 25 mpg with about a 50/50 mix. The performance is great, 0-60 in 5.9. No it isnt a powerplant of an engine, but for a v6 25mpg it is outstanding. The insurance is not bad at all. If you are considering this car, you will not be disappointed. It is an absolute gem

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  Best car for the money! - 2004 Acura TL
  By ASNetlenov - October 17 - 10:00 am

  For all those considering a BMW 325 or the like look again. Dont be a yuppy wannabe going for the name brand recognition- you are not fooling anyone. This car is more reliable, faster off of the line, has better fuel economy, and has a superior interior. The only drawback is that Beamers possess better handling. Thats it though.

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  71K and going strong! - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Convert - October 16 - 6:39 am

  Love the car, surprising acceleration for a 4 cylinder sedan. I have the manual six speed and normally get 30 - 31 mpg. It is a tight steering, solid built car that handles like a sports car. Overall design is well thought out and useful. Down side? I missed a rear window washer wiper, and view to the rear is in need of improvement, with perhaps different mirror size or design. Only problem I have had so far is the keyless entry system bowed out in partial failure. Lock/unlock doors has ceased to work without using the key.

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  best suv on the road - 2008 Acura MDX
  By nic - October 15 - 8:57 pm

  Great ride for the buck, we love car like ride. Great performance inside and out, Acura did a great job building this luxury suv, anyone who likes to drive an suv this one is definitely the pick

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  The ALL-New TL is the Truth.... - 2005 Acura TL
  By Tobor - October 15 - 6:30 am

  I have 6M, true there is torque steer issue and launching the car does require attention paid lest you stall/chirp/peel at traffic lights. The fuel ecomomy is excellent 23~26 on average HVAC excellent always comfortably. Electronics work well. I do not have a Bluetooth telephone yet but I am looking forward to that. The turnk is smaller than the Vigor but trunk liner and the cargo nets and pass through make this trunk more usable, a fold down rear seat would have beeen a help. The power of this car and the effortless ability to cruise at high speed has netted me 1 speeding ticket and has caused me to really choose when/where to lean into the power of that 270 HP V6.