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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  Should be the 2007 SUV of the Year! - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Kat - November 10 - 3:00 am

  This is the SUV to own if you want an outstanding technologically advanced, fuel efficient car with all the bells and whistles plus some you didnt even think of. In my opinion, the Acura MDX is the best value, best performer and offers the option of 7 passengers where many only offer 5. This is a completely new model with zip and zest that will leave any man or woman feeling lucky to own. Im glad I waited and didnt order something else more expensive; it was worth the wait. Well just spend the money we just saved on a family trip to Australia next summer!

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  What more could I ask for - 2008 Acura TL
  By SirJames - November 9 - 5:33 pm

  This is my fourth TL and I could not be more pleased. I considered the 2009 TL but was not wild about the preview pics and the associated styling (the cost of an end of year vehicle were sweet!). The comments from others are ALWAYS great. The interior and exterior styling as as expected: nice. The mileage is not exceptional but very acceptable.

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  Chose MDX over Lexus GX470 - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Gena - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I chose the MDX over the Lexus GX470 for the price, gas mileage, drive and options. The MDX has plenty of options. It handles very well, has an awesome sound system, a great navigation system, and plenty of room-- the middle row fits three car seats (I have three little ones) and theres still plenty of room in the back for strollers, groceries, and other items with the third row folded down. It accelerates very well/quickly for an SUV.

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  worth the wait - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Dr.Mo - November 9 - 10:00 am

  fun to drive. Sharp style which is distinctive. Very comfortable. I put my deposit down and took 3 months to look at the competition. It was a no brainer. Much nicer than the Lexus which was too feminine(sorry ladies, but my wife agrees). Navigation system is awsome!!

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  more than competent transportation - 2003 Acura MDX
  By sigi - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Make sure you are reviewing the proper vehicle Describe your experience in at least 2- 3 complete sentences This is our first SUV - solid build that reflects in its excellent handling. Effortlessly drives for hours on a recent trip through the mountains and along the northern California coast. No complaints on overall performance. The Navigation System is awesome - though quite admittedly an expensive toy. The vehicle came with one minor glitch - third row headrest does not properly stow in floorboard compartment in the back of the vehicle. Expect and look forward to years of low maintenance driving pleasures.

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  Not sure Im doing Acura again - 2007 Acura TL
  By JP in ATL - November 8 - 11:33 am

  I got the new 2007 Acura TL Type S after my 2004 had been rear-ended twice. I loved my 2004! Wish I had kept it now vs getting this 07. Sorry Acura, this might be the last. Based on my 04, my mom, dad, and several great friends bought one too. Some have already dumped their car. It has no power, no soul, the navi is junk, live traffic is delayed 30 minutes or more, bad in Atlanta. The windows squeal. Brakes are junk. Stereo is bad. This car does nothing for me. My 04 had soul, feeling, control, power. looks like my 20 yr loyalty will end.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!! - 2001 Acura CL
  By vip - November 7 - 12:42 pm

  I have this ac for about 4 years now. Bought it 16K now has 100 K +. I am telling you, I still look forward to getting in this car and drive to work. Absolute fun car to drive. Still drive brand new. I think it can easily run an another 100k without any issues. A++

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  Comfort Ride - 2016 Acura TLX
  By CorkedBat - November 6 - 11:01 am

  Most quiet and comfortable car Ive ever driven. Easy to drive and easy to steer. Braking is responsive, auto braking works well. Appx observed overall MPG 24-25. Engine power is okay, shifting is smooth. Sometimes the car suffers from turbo-like lag under acceleration, like most VTEC engines. Build quality exceptional. I love driving this car everyday.

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  Euro Style Honda Quality - 2008 Acura TSX
  By RKM - November 5 - 10:28 pm

  After owning German cars for 20 years Ive switched to a TSX. This was the only Japanese car that had a German "feel" to it, but with none of the reliability issues that have plagued my German car ownership experience. German cars, when not in the shop, are still the benchmark for interior design and driver handling, but the TSX comes so close that it won me over from selecting a Jetta GLI. The driving feel is very Euro, with stiff steering, taught suspension, and would perform very well on the autobahn as it is the Euro Accord. Im looking forward to a long trouble free ownership.

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  Touch choice - 2008 Acura MDX
  By charles - November 5 - 2:57 pm

  This is a good car. Good power, great ride, it has a sporty suspension that can take jumping a curb or ramming through uneven pavement going 60 mph. So thats a plus. The interior is nice, good heated seats useful, excellent rear view camera. One problem: the gear shift, wiper controls and light controls are less than easy to use. First the wiper and light controls should be lit at night: they are not. The biggest issue I have with them is that they lack the European feedback that BMW offers, i.e., I like to not have to look down to see what gear Im in, what level wiper I am on, or what light is on. If it would work by just feel alone, Acura would do well.