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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  2005 Acura TL 6spd Man - 2005 Acura TL
  By Brian Miami - October 25 - 5:46 pm

  The Acura TL 2005 has been a great car to own and drive. I went from a German vehicle so the steering and handling took some getting used to - but thats the only flaw in my eyes. Otherwise the car is amazingly well designed.

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  Second MDX - 2007 Acura MDX
  By nvdesertrat - October 25 - 11:01 am

  I tested the BMW X5 3.0 (too small, slow), the X5 4.8 (fast, too expensive!), the Lexus RX (nice, not sporty enough). This vehicle is a big step up from the 02 model: more power, better handling (doesnt feel a bit like a mini-van anymore), more creature comforts and roughly the same fuel economy. Drivers seat is very comfortable for my 5-11" frame. The SH-AWD system is terrific as you feel it pull you around sharp turns as you accelerate. Nav. syst. has good display and gives clear and adjustable directions (from almost constant advice to concise directions). Hands Free Link hooks up to B/tooth c-phone on startup, sound system automatically switches to phone when called.

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  Fun to Drive - 2003 Acura MDX
  By ECT - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Great handling vehicle. Its amazing that the 20hp increase from the 2002 model to the 2003 model gives so much more acceleration power. Workmanship quality is superb- not even a minor defect found in first 10 days.

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  jmreissmdx - 2003 Acura MDX
  By jmreiss - October 25 - 2:00 am

  outstanding suv. the voice activated navigation system with the rear backup camera is a must. this is the best suv for any price

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  Acura legend review - 1994 Acura Legend
  By e28m30 - October 25 - 12:43 am

  This is a great car. The power is incredible. very fast. this car is very realiable no problems with the car. It has really nice smooth power steering maybe a little too much assist but very nice, the transmission is harsh shifting but it really feels great when really romping on the gas pedal. This car is 13 years old now but it hasnt aged a bit no rattles the body style doesnt look old. The car is really just well put together, Acura really used the best materials. Well besides the leather seats they seem a little too cheapy. But all in all the best car I have ever owned, I really love this car.

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  11 month review - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Scott McCandless - October 24 - 9:18 am

  I came out of an Expedition to buy this SUV and was pleasantly surprised by how much more comfortable the vehicle is than a truck based SUV. The horsepower and performance are up from my previous truck/SUV vehicles, and so is the mileage. Those giving the MDX poor grades for mileage are not comparing it to other SUV choices. I regularly get 22-23 mpg at 70-75 mph on the highway. I chose this SUV for a couple specific reasons: I needed a vehicle that could tow my 23 boat and its trailer, but I wanted a comfortable, economical everyday ride, too. The BMW and Lexus didnt have the tow power, or enough room. The truck based SUV choices didnt have ride & economy.

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  Best Used Car in the World - 1997 Acura RL
  By Peg - October 22 - 3:16 pm

  Got the car two years ago with 60,000 on it. Two years and 30,000 miles later I am thoroughly pleased with it. I keep up with recommended maintenance, change the oil and replace tires. Thats it. No problems. Nothing but smooth performance. And, frankly, this wonderful car cost far less than I would have spent on a Toyota Camry with the same mileage. They can have their Toyotas. I love my RL.

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  Awesome Car! - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Mark - October 22 - 2:56 am

  We just purchased this bright red TSX last week, and its a blast to drive.The voice actuated nav system is easy to learn and works great. I love the XM radio, just wish it came with a years free membership instead of 3 months. We traded in an 03 I-35 and there is no comparison in the fun to drive category. It handles well, the performance is adequate and gas mileage is great! This is my first Acura and if the car holds up well, it wont be my last!

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  Terrific package - 2008 Acura TSX
  By DB from NC - October 21 - 10:55 am

  My eyes been on this car for some time, but after my first test drive, I thought it was a bit anemic under the hood. Decided it was best to wait for the 09, but then saw a great lease deal and test drove again. Realized with good use of the manumatic, you can really bring out performance. So pulled the trigger on the deal and have no regrets. Its a fully loaded little beasty thats just great to drive. Would match it up against the Lexus IS 250 any day for 5k less.

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  2003 TL is a Great Car! - 2003 Acura TL
  By edmundlee2 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Excellent drivers car with fun sport-shift pseudo-manual transmission, nicely placed guages and controls. Interior space is good for family use (2 adults, 2 teens) and a sensible trunk. Engine has lots of pull even at low rpm and corners incredibly well. Good feedback from the steering wheel on road surface (how do they do this?). Better than the Volvo S80 (which costs much more) which was also being considered.