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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  The All-Everything SUV - 2008 Acura RDX
  By Acura Owner - February 12 - 12:26 pm

  This SUV has it all. All-wheel drive and a turbo and all the technology features you need (including a free 3-months subscription to XM-Radio and a back-up camera) in a true luxury package. This car re-defines obsessive-compulsive traits up towards the maximum in terms of vehicle mechanical design and attention to interior fit and finish. On the road the vehicle is quiet, powerful and handles like a sports car on tight turns. The turbo has no noticeable lag and makes highway merging a breeze. Once at cruising speed, the electronics enable you to easily check on all important vehicle functions without taking you hands off the steering wheel or your eyes off the road.

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  Its a Thrill Ride! - 2008 Acura RDX
  By Drwarf - February 11 - 2:58 pm

  I finally own my dream vehicle. This RDX is beautiful. I picked the carbon bronze because not too many vehicles on the road are that color. The AWD is superb for handling in any situation. The turbocharged engine is very good for performance in passing and acceleration, better than some V6s. The interior is very comfortable with the adjustable driver seat and roomy enough second row. The satellite radio, 360-watt stereo system, dual climate, digital read-outs, and memory seats are all awesome for standard equipment. The fuel economy is respectable and premium gas is not a problem. This crossover is a 10 all the way around. Thanks Acura for another innovative, top-of-the-line vehicle.

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  Great car for the price - 2008 Acura TSX
  By steveburns1 - February 11 - 10:21 am

  Previously had an Audi A4 which was a great car. When we looked at a new one, the cost of options was horrendous and in packages. Heated seats were $700! Acura had all inclusive pricing below 30,000. Michelin tires as well. Great package... very comfortable. Only difference is stiffer steering due to front wheel drive.

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  AWESOME - 2008 Acura MDX
  By E-Bohm - February 10 - 12:59 pm

  Fantastic drive, makes my 130 mile daily commute both fun and comfortable.

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  Great Car - 2007 Acura MDX
  By bob - February 10 - 3:03 am

  Love this car!! I have had no problem in the first 4000 miles and am very satisfied with the overall experience with this vehicle. The ride is so smooth and the power is there when you need it. The luxury, performance, and overall looks are worth the higher purchase price.

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  Old Reliable - 1998 Acura RL
  By Frank P. - February 9 - 11:58 am

  I have owned this car since new. Its been an outstanding performer. Always reliable, inexpensive to maintain. It replaced a 1990 Acura Legend, also a great car. The RL is more of a cruiser, not too athletic, but high on comfort. I get 26 mpg on premium fuel. Looking to replace it finally at 148,000 miles.

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  Very Pleased: RL vs M35 - 2008 Acura RL
  By Steve - February 8 - 5:12 pm

  I compared the RL the M35x all wheel drive autos. I found them to be very similar. Although the M35 might be slightly faster off the line I felt more comfortable in the RL drivers seat and was surprised by the sporty/firm suspension. The M35 may also win the looks category but the RL dresses up nicely with the factory flaps and spoiler. Having owned an Infinity and a Honda/Acura previously, I expect the RL to be more reliable and less costly to service. What really swayed my decision to the RL was after negotiating on both cars, the 2008 RL ended up thousands less than the M35. After a couple thousand miles, I am extremely happy with the RL.

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  Better than most - 2008 Acura TL
  By Epacal - February 8 - 3:52 pm

  I bought the Type S for a daily driver and have not been disappointed. Nice features, good ride and great performance. I cant believe the difference between the standard 3.2 TL and the 3.5 TL S. It was worth the extra money.

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  lovin it - 2004 Acura MDX
  By pny - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Great new truck but fuel economy is averaging only 13.7 mpg other than that this suv is a dream to drive I had the sony dvd installed in it and it to me beats the pants off the Lexus suvs thay nose dive around every corner I know because when I take my wifes lexus in for service I get one as a loner and have put it through the test and it fails compaired to the MDX

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  Great Handling - 2006 Acura TL
  By Wedan - February 7 - 5:04 pm

  The TL is a great performing car. Cost of the TL was very attractive to me when compared to an equally equipped Cadillac CTS or Lexus 350, Infiniti etc. The quality has been exceptional. Other than following the computer for regular maintenance, the TL will probably never see the mechanic. The reliability of Acura is tops.