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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  Acura Does It Right - 2007 Acura MDX
  By HockeyFox - July 25 - 11:40 am

  After owning a Honda Pilot and an Acura CL type S, I am a Honda fan. My confidence is being tested with tranny issues on the CL, but we absolutely loved our Pilot. The MDX is a step up at every level. The navigation system, initially appearing complex, is easy to use and very informative once you get the hang of it. The build quality is very good with a few minor issues (one being a ding in the quarter panel when we went to pick up the car). Power is just fine for a vehicle this size, and the interior is wonderful. If we experience the same reliability as we did on our 2003 Pilot, we will be very happy campers.

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  Fabulous starter into the luxury world - 2003 Acura RSX
  By LP - July 24 - 9:05 pm

  This car is a luxury car at a great deal. Acura has a great reputation for quality, as they are made by Honda. This car is no exception. Its fun to drive and handles wonderfully. Great standard features that would normally have to be added for an extra price, come standard.

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  The best car in its class - 2006 Acura TL
  By Gautam Gupta - July 24 - 3:03 pm

  I have driven this TL for aprox 400 miles so far and all of it has been total fun. I always look forward to get into this beauty. Electronic systems are incredible. No other car in this class matches its features or ride comfort. Total value for money. Milage is great. My family just loves this peice of Enginuty.

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  The Best Car In the Segment - 2007 Acura TL
  By Carlos - July 24 - 10:04 am

  For those who want amazing practicality of a midsize, outstanding lux, room like a fully equipped M35X and very great performance, look no further. For driving dynamics I am pro Infiniti. I drove the TL type S and compared to the G, the type S has less throttle sensitivity but its more technologically sound, spacious and refined. 0-60 is about 6 sec flat, and w/fwd you can drive in the snow w/o too much fuss. It comes standard fully equipped, handling and composure is great while keeping cabin quiet. Some say the ride and torque steer is rough, but I not experienced such a thing in this vehicle. Save yourself 15000 and get a type s, it feels like it should be worth 55K.

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  Exciting to Drive - Stress Free Fun - 2006 Acura TL
  By Darren L - July 24 - 4:20 am

  What I wanted was a sporty car. I needed SOME utility, not just a two seater with loads of power. I also wanted to have some quality and a few bells and whistles. Boy does this car deliver! It looks regal with a touch of attitude. Step inside it and the leather brings a smile to my face. There is plenty of room without feeling crammed, and it isnt huge. Suspension is somewhat tight, but not stiff allowing a comfortable suspension ride and perform well on fast cornering or take offs if I choose. The stereo system is sweet and I love the steering controls. Now the downsides - if you really call it that. Gas mileage isnt the greatest, and there is a learning curve on the navigation.

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  Nicest car Ive ever owned - 2003 Acura CL
  By Mark OBrien - July 22 - 8:49 pm

  Its the nicest car Ive ever owned. Sporty, comfortable, almost too quick. Handles very well, especially for being a luxury vehicle. I actually get better mileage than factory sticker suggests (over 30 on highway w/ the 256hp V6). If I could figure a way to keep it and purchase a truck, I would.

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  From a Civic to a RSX........a big step! - 2003 Acura RSX
  By PR Jones - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I have been owner of sedans all my life, I felt I need a little excitement in my life, believe me I got more than I deserve, the RSX is great!!

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  Great Car - So much Fun - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Jerry - July 20 - 6:33 am

  This is a great car. It is fun to drive, especially if you are an aggressive driver. I think that it could use a little more horsepower. If they bumped it up to about 230hp I think that it would be a little better. But other than that it is great. I actually added an air intake to it which increased the hp, torque and gas mileage. Plus it adds a little more growl to the engine at higher RPMs.

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  Just Perfect - 2008 Acura TSX
  By Ryan - July 19 - 1:19 pm

  Gas mileage over 30 for 205 HP car. It is just unbeliverable. Drives like sports car still have plenty of room and cargo.

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  Perfect in My Book - Matthew M. - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Matthew M. - July 19 - 12:06 am

  This is our second TSX. We leased a 2004 and when our three years were up we turned it in for an 06. The 04 was great but the 06 is even better. Many more features, better styling, better ride, handling is equal but the suttle improvements in the 06 sold me on another one. We have never had two of the same cars. It feels like a different car. I think its more solid and quieter than the 04. I thought about buying the 04 we liked it so well but after driving the 06 I had to get it. Most car for the money hands down. No comparisons that Im aware of. Our 04 was absolutely trouble free. Try it, youll buy it and wont regret it.