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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  Love the TSX Sportwagon - 2011 Acura TSX
  By really1 - November 8 - 7:31 pm

  I love my TSX Sportwagon. It handles Great. You may suffer a little in ride, but it is worth it for the accurate steering and handling. This car if for people who actually LIKE to drive. It makes you want to throw it into a curve because it is so much fun especially when you keep the revs screaming. Even in a wagon!! Gas Mileage has been great at 30 MPG on a Heavy Foot! Hondas are known for their road noise - could be less here, but its getting better. In the long run - this car is so worth it

• 

  Loved my 02 TL Type S - 2002 Acura TL
  By tl_lover828 - October 9 - 11:59 am

  I purchased my "baby" with about 75k miles 4 years ago. I currently have 220k. I regularly service my car and up until 3 years ago, no problems. It is sad that this beauty has such an issue with the tranny. I paid out of pocket the 1st time, 4k with AAMCO. Acura would only offer a 30 day warranty. (??) 3 yrs & few mos later, it went again. I, well I tried to, have it repaired again. AAMCO had no idea what was wrong nor how to repair it. They had her for almost 6 weeks, with a rental, after I squawked so much. I finally got her back but she not been the same since. I am in the market to buy another car, but nothing else seems to meet my fancy.. I am willing to try a TL again.

• 

  TSX 2009 - Reliable-No-Torque-Wind-Noise Car - 2009 Acura TSX
  By wantferrari355 - September 26 - 12:16 pm

  Good value, but boring because it lacks power (4-cyl). Wind noise noticable after 90km/h. Battery is small and died twice on me. Rear seat leg room is limited. Other than above, very good package: reliable, stylish and not very expensive.

• 

  Best Entry Level Value by Far - 2011 Acura TSX
  By stlouiscarguy - September 24 - 2:55 pm

  An overall great contender in the Entry Level Luxury category that happens to be an incredible value in the segment to boot! I only recently got my new TSX but already rank it as my favorite car yet. With the six-speed manual it brings a level of engagement sorely missing from my past few vehicles that raises the driving fun factor exponentially. The 2.4L Four with this transmission is more than adequate for real world acceleration needs. The feature list is extensive when equipped with the Tech package. That combined with the interior materials quality plus fit and finish make this a Wow Car for those that see it for the first time. Most expect it to be priced much higher than it is.

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  Awesome Bang for the buck (But miss my BMW) - 2012 Acura TL
  By e60535i - September 9 - 3:29 pm

  I bought the TL Advance in 7/2011 after I saw some great financing deals. I had a VW Jetta TDI, which was awesome, but just uncomfortable for my 30 plus mile drive to and from work 5 days per week. Is this my dream car...no. But, it is a terrific bang for the buck and I am fortunate enough to afford such a great vehicle. I love the body style, power, gas mileage and all of the wonderful technology. However, the shift paddles and sport transmission are not what I expected. I have owned a BMW 335i, and 535i, which were very expensive, but had awesome handling, smooooth transmission, and effortless maneuverability.

• 

  Happy - 2011 Acura TSX
  By jembry - September 6 - 10:16 pm

  Ive only had my TSX for a few days but really like it. I was going to buy an Accord but liked the sportier driving attitude of the Acura. My last two cars were both German and although there is no substitute for the German car feel, I quickly tired of the reliability, and maintenance. The tech package really packs a lot of extras and has a great sound system. This car really has all of the features of cars costing thousands more while getting great gas mileage.

• 

  Best value - 2011 Acura MDX
  By kris2 - September 1 - 9:46 pm

  Needed a sooner than expected replacement after my 2005 X5 3.0 got totalled. After looking at 2012 X5, 2011 Q7 and 2011 MDX I ended up purchasing the MDX and I am not disappointed. In terms of performance I did not feel it a lot different than the X5. Torque felt low but there is enough power when you need and the brakes feel good. Been getting 17 mpg in mixed driving with 60-70% city using premium. Kids like the third row though the access is difficult like all third row SUVs. Seats are comfortable and provide support. You will get used to the power tailgate and backup camera in no time. Got the roof rails (should have been standard) so it looks like an SUV and I like the look.

• 

  96 coupe, 1.8l automatic - 1996 Acura Integra
  By bassplayer62 - August 18 - 5:35 am

  resurrected my 96 two years ago. it had been sitting for 2 years, the prior owner parked it when the engine light went on around smog test time. picked it up for $300. started it up, was not running too well, like on 2 cylinders. Got it home then pulled down the codes. misfire cyl 2 &3 and bad secondary O2 sensor. Replaced cap, rotaor, plugs and wires. Replaced O2 sensor. The car fired right up. 1st test drive was an awesome experience, great acceleration!!!. Passed smog with flying colors!!! only mechanical issue was the coil recently failed. Replace witha new one, and no problems since. This is a very fun car to drive!! I live in the mountains and this car corners like a dream.

• 

  Solid Choice, very good vehicle - 2011 Acura MDX
  By pjc123 - August 16 - 5:07 pm

  We have owned the MDX Tech for 4.5 months and 5,300 miles. Overall, we are really happy with the vehicle. It is good looking, fun to drive and perfect for our family of 4 to go camping and on vacations. The gas mileage has been slightly over 18 combined which is fine by me. The only suggestions for improvement would be the transmission and stereo. Granted, we were "spoiled" with an Audi but... the MDX is smooth shifting but sometimes you have to coax it to the proper gear especially when it is loaded up. The ELS surround sound is just adequate but NOTHING like the Bose in an Audi. All that said, I know the Acura will be MUCH more reliable than the Audi. I also own a 2006 TL.

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  402,000 miles on original engine - 1993 Acura Integra
  By floridadon1 - August 7 - 9:04 am

  I traded the first new car Id ever bought (a Chevy) about 18 months after purchasing it for this car in 1996, hoping it would last about four years until my new business was off the ground and I could afford "something better." It had 34,000 miles on it then. Its 2011, I own 18 cars, and still drive this one plenty. Its only let me down once (coil gave out), and still gets 35 mpg on the road when I can get gas with no ethanol in it. Ive used synthetic oil and done my own oil changes (Castrol at first, now Amsoil), and the original engine now stands at 402,000 miles, and has never been worked on. And I drive it HARD.