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 my MDX! - 2006 Acura MDX
  By maryindublin - August 31 - 11:35 pm

  I live in the mountains, lots of driving uphill and lots of snow in winter. Never had any problems in the snow with the AWD. I feel safe and confident. The front seats are very comfy, but the back seats could use a bit more room. I have a 3 year old in a booster seat in the back and he doesnt have all that much leg room. Still, I wouldnt trade it for anything and plan to drive it till it wont drive any more!

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  Perfectly balanced package for the money - 2007 Acura TL
  By eb_tldriver - August 31 - 8:03 pm

  I first noticed theTL for its super sharp looks. It looks and drives like a very well equipped sports sedan rather than a rich persons silver-metallic luxury car. I read (all very favorable) reviews, and then I test drove it. I loved driving it. I liked how Acura put together such a great handling, well performing, excellently equipped car in one decently priced and sharp looking package. I like that the car does not look too showy, but that you get the real pleasure from it by actually driving it and from all of the fantastic features packed with it. I have automatic, but I drive it on sportshift. It absolutely feels like the manual shifter.

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  Love the Quality - 2008 Acura RL
  By lakeshore silver - August 30 - 4:49 pm

  I just traded in my 2005 300C and I have to admit I miss the Hemi, but having said that, I love this car. Though I never had any mechanical problems with my Chrysler, I didnt have the confidence that the car would hold up long term. The RL has something about it that makes you believe you can drive it forever. Not only is the car solid but Acura has paid attention to the details owners care about. Quiet ride, great stereo system, a navi system that is easy to use, comfortable seating, pleasant appearance and for me all wheel drive. I plan to put a lot of miles on this car.

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  2004 TSX - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Ronnie K. - August 30 - 6:50 am

  Fun to drive. Comfortable. Strong 4cyl engine, however I got used to its power fast. Needs the 3.2l V6 from the TL. Awesome interior. 6 speed manual a must. Audio system is ok. The rear 6x9s and the door woofers are weak. The 6x9s are easily replaceable however. High pitch sound is poor. Controls are good except the moonroof controls. Lots of trunk space. I love the car.

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  15000 perfect miles - 2007 Acura TSX
  By happyacura - August 29 - 7:02 pm

  I love this car so much, its my third post. Im 15000 perfect miles in. Not a hint of any kind of problem. All the tech stuff is perfect, the engine, the tranny, the leather, the fit and finish, the paint, its all perfect! If you forced me to complain about something, I would have to say, its a touch noisy on some surfaces, and the stereo is mediocre. But thats being very picky, its a fantastic car, loaded with luxury, power, handling, looks, exclusivity, and very reasonable on gas considering the power. I couldnt love it or respect it more. Right on Acura!

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  Legendary Honda Quality - 2007 Acura RL
  By onenarrow - August 29 - 12:23 am

  So far I have owned the car for a couple of months and do not regret the purchase at all. I bought it for safety primarily but realized that it also has the legendary Honda quality. The details of this car are incredible, better than the German cars and value wise by 15 K at least also. The car feels like a tank but has the power to go when needed,. This car has near 300hp and you feel every horse! The AWD is incredible, it would take a bulldozer to take it off course.

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  Hands down winner! - 2007 Acura RDX
  By Spoiled - August 28 - 10:43 pm

  I drove 5 other smaller sized SUVs, the BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Nissan and Infiniti. None could even come close to the features for the money in the RDX. Envy of everyone at work. So much fun to drive it makes me wish I had a longer commute to work. Even with gas prices the way they are I find myself looking for excuses to drive somewhere. It rains a lot here and the SH AWD is very noticibly helpful in those conditions. This vehicle is fun, safe and a great value. Would recommend it to anyone.

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  excellant - 2003 Acura MDX
  By j mig - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is excellant. I love it-with a child it has plenty of room. the car drives great & believe it or not-its great on gas.

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  Get one or be sorry. - 2003 Acura TL
  By lone ranger - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2003 and a 2000 TL. great car .Had one problem a stress tear of the seat cover. It was replaced witha smile. These arwe the only cars I ever had that guaranteed the wipers under the new car warranty.

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  Great value luxury sedan - 2003 Acura TL
  By mkawasaki - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best values in the luxury sedan class. Classy ride, incredible reliability and low price. Couldnt find this class of vehicle at the same price -- most luxury cars were much more and other similar priced cars were not as refined.