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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  great car - 2003 Acura RSX
  By 2002rsxtypes - January 14 - 2:00 am

  better than my 2001 integra GSR, but i like them both...........

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  Want to soup up a car, this is the one - 2003 Acura RSX
  By David Carlandos - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Hi!!! I bought my acura rsx last june and I am absolutely delighted. I have a black acura rsx type s with black leather interior. When I actually nailed the throttle, because they really dont allow you to go fast in the test car, this car had incredible response. I was shocked to see how fast the neddle raised on the speedo.has plenty of torque. Although burn outs are more fun in rear wheel drive cars, this car can easily rip the rubber of the wheels and leave a nice gust of smoke off the tires.

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  5 years later, still loving it - 2004 Acura TSX
  By jcg878 - January 13 - 10:29 am

  Ive had my TSX for 5 years now, and I still love driving it. The car handles as well as when I first bought it - actually better since I replaced the stock tires 10,000 miles ago. It is fun to drive with a comfortable and intuitive interior that hasnt shown much wear. According to Edmunds used car appraiser, it has held its value well also. With a new baby on the way, my wife and I are currently battling about which car to replace - her 2003 Passat, or my TSX. My only TSX-related complaint is that Acura/Honda doesnt make a wagon version. Well look at the RDX, but a TSX/TL/Accord wagon is really what wed prefer. Its been a good buy.

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  Great Car at a Great Price - 2005 Acura TL
  By Drew - January 12 - 9:43 pm

  This car has every imaginable toy on board for a fixed price...The decision to purchase the car was never easier, and the dealership was fantastic. I look forward to driving the car everytime I go out my front door. It is fast, fun and reliable. Sound system options are a real treat too.

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  Love this Car - 2005 Acura RL
  By Gary - January 11 - 9:19 pm

  I love my RL. It gets better with age. I put RonJon Legend 19" wheels on my car and get many compliments. Celestial Silver and Taupe. Love it!

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  Fun to Drive - 2006 Acura TSX
  By MikeD - January 11 - 7:30 pm

  Just got the TSX 6sp and enjoy the drive after having a 95 Acura Integra. Great performance, handling and looks. Moderate gas mileage, however, as I expected above 30mpg, and seem to only get about 27mpg on highway. Just noticed significant squeaking in drivers seat, and saw another review on problem with seat rail. Anyone else experiencing problems with seats squeaking? Great car, great performance, and got a great price at my Acura dealership- below invoice. Buy this car, but look at seat noices as you test drive.

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  Nearly as Fun as a Mini - 2008 Acura RDX
  By Eilidh - January 10 - 10:20 pm

  When my cute mini cooper became a sled in the Boston winter, I reluctantly hunted for a small SUV. After much deliberation, decided on the Acura over the BMW X3 on cost and reliability. So glad I did - the sound system is superb, the build is quality, bikes fit in the back, the turbo makes pleasing whooshes and the acceleration is plenty for me. Its just as grin inducing as a mini - and no icy skidding. Negatives include instructions more mind boggling than physical chemistry textbooks and a voice recognition system that doesnt quite understand my UK English. However, Im persevering to learn Honda-ese and confident well become friends. An excellent fun car in every way.

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  Best of All Worlds - 2007 Acura TL
  By AllenH - January 10 - 3:56 pm

  I checked out the competition such as IS 350 and G35 and none can match the utility and value of the Type S. The navigation on the Type S blows away any of the competition and it is just a handsome vehicle. I get over 30 MPG when driving steadily at 70 mph. I just passed over 600 miles (break-in period) and stomped on the gas. WHOA! Is this thing fast!!

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  09 TSX Awesome!!! - 2009 Acura TSX
  By 09 TSX Owner - January 10 - 2:40 pm

  Traded in my 04 Honda Accord for the new 09 TSX. I have had the car for 3 days and I absolutely love it. It has great performance, stylish profile and fast pickup for the 201 hp. The interior is very sleek looking starting with the textured dash, display on dash easy to read, great sounding XM/radio. The bluetooth is so nice and handy, plenty of storage areas and large trunk space. I cannot say enough good things about this car. I give it 10 stars all the way and highly recommend this sleek looking, fun to drive car that will get you 2nd glances everywhere you go.

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  1 For the money$$ - 2007 Acura TL
  By KJV from GA - January 10 - 1:17 pm

  Had an 01 CL and traded in for a comfortable 4 door in August. Went for the more affordable Honda Accord EXL V-6 and couldnt get past what I loved about the Acuras performance, handling, craftmanship. Very easy to go from Honda to Acura, not easy to go from Acura to Honda. Im hooked. Went to Acura, and traded the 07 Accord for the 07 TL-Type S and dont understand what I was thinking in August!