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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  Theres more to life than horsepower! - 2014 Acura ILX
  By 1speedbike - March 14 - 6:06 pm

  Was apprehensive at first considering the HP ratings, BUT for the price this car cant be beat! Lots of high-tech and comfort features for <$30K. Heated power comfy seats, rear camera, voice integration, bluetooth, active noise cancellation, NAV, leather, sleek styling. This is NOT just an "upgraded Civic." Obviously, engine leaves you wanting, but its buttery smooth and loves to rev, and is plenty for highway passing. Suspension is not too taut like a sports car, but not overly soft. Steering is typical Honda light, but also responsive. Great handling for FWD. Also, super LIGHT car with consistent 30 mpg. Other than power, it has everything I could ask for in an entry luxury sedan.

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  Even better! A keeper! - 2014 Acura MDX
  By tmariner - March 14 - 11:29 am

  Moved up to the 2014 from a 2011 MDX. Looks similar, but big perceptual difference. I can select the Sport mode and make the MDX handle like the 2011 3.7 liter, but normally luxuriate in the "normal" mode with handling and silence. The twin screen dash still befuddles my wife, but as a techie big step up -- and I have the "base" model without all the goodies. Great acceleration, but more silent and refined. Tons of detail improvements to numberous to list. If youre in the market for an SUV, either step up to or step sideways into this car! I mistakenly leased it -- a reasonable deal, but they will probably have to pry this thing out of my cold, dead hands.

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  My mom drives a sports car - 2010 Acura MDX
  By buddyguy - February 28 - 9:11 am

  My mom bought a 2010 MDX used that I drive occasionally. At first I didnt like it, but once I drove it alone and realized how fast this car is, I dig it! The v6 sounds awesome under heavy throttle and the car takes off! The SH-AWD is great in the snow, and the car handles like a dream. Stereo sounds great. Leather seats are very comfortable. Sport mode with the paddle shifters is a lot of fun, almost like a real manual. Now for the not-so-good.. We had to have a new transmission put in at 25k miles. Acura did it for free, but just be warned.after they fixed it we love the car!

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  Great but Navigation system is from the dark ages - 2014 Acura TL
  By mchasan - February 26 - 9:34 pm

  I love the car! The only problem is the navigation systems. The navigation system is not only difficult to use, but it is very often inaccurate & misleading. I have had to resort to using my cellphone for all my navigation.

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  Excellent Value! - 2014 Acura ILX
  By pda2 - February 25 - 8:55 pm

  Well, I have the smaller engine in the automatic and it aint a beast..but with the shifter paddles you can manipulate the gears slightly for a little bit more oooumph. From a quality to price standpoint, this is VERY hard to beat. I looked at Chevys, Toyotas, even the Mazda 3 and 6, all similar price points. The quality inside and lines out, make this look like and feel like a much more respectable and high quality ride. What car would you rather show up in at a clients house? What car would you rather trust with a child inside? LCD screen is VERY small BUT the trunk holds 2 sets+ of golf clubs. It rides very smooth, seats adjust easily, the interface is user friendly with simple buttons

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  Simply Amazing! - 2012 Acura TSX
  By nitish17 - February 10 - 5:39 pm

  I recently bought a lightly used 2012 TSX w/ Tech Package and I couldnt be happier with it. Everything people mentioned about it in earlier reviews is absolutely spot on. The more I drive it, the more I appreciate the efficiency of it. The handling is like that of a sports car with very nimble steering response and smooth acceleration off rest point. I would mention that getting the Tech package is well worth the money since it would really bring up the oomph factor of the handsomely designed cabin.

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  Great Roomy Ride- Silent Cabin - 2014 Acura MDX
  By mt5670 - February 3 - 12:42 pm

  Traded in the VW Passat wagon for the MDX in September. Its been 5 mos. with the MDX and weve had no problems. We have 2 big dogs so theres plenty of room for them and our gear when we head out of town. We live in the city (SF), so I try keep the driving in the city to a minimum. Cabin is quiet and ride is smooth. Prefer Sport mode since I like the tighter steering feel similar to my last car. We keep the 3rd row seats folded down for more room. Its a very roomy cabin and cargo space. Much more storage than the Toureg and some of the other mid-size we looked at. Im glad they rounded out the beak since that was always an eye sore for me.

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  More classic than Gone With The Wind - 2000 Acura Integra
  By sammacktruck - January 21 - 11:25 am

  Some people say the looks are dated. It was way ahead of its time, and even in 2014 still is. Nothing compares to the styling. The best design of the 90s, which is the best decade for exterior design of all time. I have the auto GS. Its rated as 27 highway MPG. I have gotten 39 w/o modifcations. Thats right. 39. No joke. Better than most of even the best mileage kings today. And my car has 180K on it. I have fit 3 fullsize mtn bikes in this hatchback. The Euros wish they can make something like this. Overall the GTI aint got nothing on the Integra. Keep dreaming, VW.

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  LOVE LOVE LOVE this 2002 ACURA MDX TOURING - 2002 Acura MDX
  By grammyjan1978 - January 6 - 10:55 am

  I drove this, loved the looks of it, and it has 187,000 and counting. I would buy another one just like it...got it at 54000 at dealer certified and have had no issues whatsoever. I love my Acura. My only question...I just drove to work and for the first time I clicked the four wheel drive VDX button, how can you tell if it goes off...I clicked it and no change...got me to work in 13 inches of snow...

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  Love our 2014 MDX - 2014 Acura MDX
  By david1965 - January 4 - 8:34 pm

  Bought our 14 MDX in October and have driven about 5,000 flawless miles. We have had a lot of winter weather lately and the MDX does great on snow and ice. We are pleased with fuel economy for a vehicle this large. This is my wifes car primarily and she drives like shes running from the law - still averaging about 22 mpg in mix of city/highway. Only complaint is that touchscreen seems difficult to use as compared to simply having a knob or a switch. But all cars seem to be going the touch screen direction. Also wish Acura didnt do quite so much bundling of packages. Would have purchased the tech package but I am not a fan of the navigation system. Overall, very pleased.