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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  Have car # 639 - 2002 Acura RSX
  By One of the First - July 31 - 1:33 am

  I was one of the first to buy the car in AZ. Bought the car 7/2/01. First day on the market. My only problems have been a few rattles on the top of car somewhere. Biggest problem is the Oil Filter Location. The filter is so high on the engine when removed the oil runs down the side of the engine into a pan. After the oil change if you live close by the dealership, you leak oil all the way home and into you garage it goes. Poor eng. on the manufactor part.

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  My TSX experience - 2009 Acura TSX
  By AlansAcura - July 30 - 11:30 pm

  I read a ton of reviews before buying my TSX 09. I found most of the things people did not like, were things I actually liked. Steering, power, number of buttons, front grille and similar items were all big dings from the auto magazines and car enthusiasts. But my experience, so far, is its a great car. I know its the lower end of the high end automobiles, but Im a techy kind of guy, and this car is more to my liking than some of the high end cars. I like not having to stop to fully use the nav system. I like talking to my car to control almost everything in the car. Its even fun to say a few things to it that are not in the guide and find a few actually work I love my car!

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  awesome - 2005 Acura TL
  By chrsbigc - July 30 - 8:56 pm

  Fun to drive, lots of creature comforts, easy to maintain. Im a big guy and it has lots of room, not the best on gas but who cares.

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  To the Moon and back... - 1991 Acura Legend
  By Joey the K - July 30 - 7:49 pm

  289,000 miles and counting. Of course it burns oil & hesitates a little at launch but then it moves like it was new and powers the highways. QUiet inside and solid. Little things have gone like the alarm system that drove me crazy at 3am until I disconnected the horn and re wired it directly to the battery, thereby by passing the defect motherboard. Now when the alarm goes off the 20amp fuse blows for my brake lts so I keep a box in the console. The AC doesnt work anymore and the new refrigerant does not seem to be able to load. Leather shot in the front but hey...it refuses to die and my wife is begging me to put it to sleep! It is so good that it doesnt qualify for Cash 4 Clunkers.

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  no regrets - 2007 Acura MDX
  By cvillemdx - July 30 - 9:57 am

  After months of careful research and test drives at BMW, Lexus, Volvo, etc. I settled on the MDX without a doubt in mind. I love the way the car handles, no stiffness or resistance in the steering or acceleration. The interior design is a little Star Trek for me, but once I figured everything out, it is a pleasure to have all the extras (XM radio, navigation, Bluetooth, backup camera, etc.)

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  The Almost Perfect Car - 2008 Acura TSX
  By Scundo - July 30 - 9:55 am

  I know there are a lot of complaints about the low end torque. Lets put things in perspective though. Its a 2.4L 4 cylinder putting out 205 naturally aspirated horsepower. It does it in an extremely smooth manor too. Isnt that how a sport luxury sedan engine should perform? After driving everything from fire-breathing pushrod v8s to boxer 4s all I can say is this engine is a jewel. Honda/Acura builds the best 4 cylinders. Period. Smooth, powerful, economical. The gearing on the 5 speed auto is excellent. The interior is flawless. Everything where it should be and its very comfortable. Awesome handling. Steering is perfectly weighted. Drive by wire throttle is very slick.

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  Simply Excellent - 2009 Acura TL
  By dvr - July 29 - 11:38 pm

  After test driving G37, IS350 and TL AWD, I and my wife both agreed to purchase TL AWD. We are very happy with excellent ride quality of TL, and its amazing tech package and reliability. Suspension is little hard for un-paved road driving, but it was all expected. I am getting average of 22 mpg, which is not bad I think, considering its 3.7L 300hp engine.

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  Its been fun to drive my 09 Acura TSX - 2009 Acura TSX
  By Lenny H - July 29 - 11:01 pm

  I purchased my 09 Acura TSX with tech package three weeks ago. It has been fun to drive it. The stereo system is phenomenal! I have also been using the live traffic report before heading home from my office. The ride is quiet, and the voice command system is superb, even for someone with a thick foreign accent!

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  Best in class - 2009 Acura MDX
  By Buster - July 29 - 10:23 am

  Driven my Sport/Ent MDX for 12000 miles now. The drive-ability of this SUV is impeccable. As in other reviews, Im not sure it has 300HP, but it is enough. The smooth and quiet ride is why I bought it. Stereo is good, but not earth shattering. Nav is good, but has too many warning prompts. Can program on the fly, unlike others. I really like driving at night and the headlights are great. Have had one problem with compliance bushings, but dealership is very accommodating with loaners. I dont like the key fob and think this league auto should have keyless options. Not sure about the transmission, which is designed to help you brake, is all that comfortable, but it is sporty and smooth.

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  Best SUV On The Road - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Nanci - July 29 - 10:00 am

  When I did my test drive I was so impressed in the way this SUV handled like a luxury car. Everything a vehicle should have is included as standard. The drive is smooth and quiet, the interior is comfortable and roomy. Gas mileage is so-so. Have not had it on the open road, all driving is freeway traffic and in town stop and go. This vehicle is the best value for your money. You couldnt ask for more in an SUV no one can believe that cost of this luxury SUV