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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  Good car for a front wheel drive - 2006 Acura TL
  By matthew Everett - February 7 - 3:36 pm

  My TL was a superb choice in my price category. The only issues I have is they have problems with their front windshield, as mine was broken and I have heard of others, also car should really be a rear wheel drive to counter the stability problems when really putting on the speed, either at start up, or passing. The rear exterior design is very boring with the TSX/RSX more sporty. It should be the other way round IMHO.

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  Smooth, reliable and luxurious - 2003 Acura MDX
  By msghana - February 7 - 2:14 pm

  This car handles beautifully. You can feel the horsepower as you adjust quickly to high speeds and it is so comfortable. This is my most favorite vehicle purchase ever!

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  I love this car. - 1997 Acura CL
  By GB - February 6 - 2:45 pm

  This car is very reliable. Its also very fun to drive, good on gas, low maintenance, even better when you the change the oil on schedule and keep it clean.

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  Awesome vehicle! - 2007 Acura RDX
  By John - February 6 - 11:00 am

  Our RDX is as solid as can be. It has no problems handling grades. Matter of fact, it is tough to keep it from racing off. The car has plenty of power, is very comfortable and has excellent ergonomic design. It does eat up fuel, but Ill take its appetite over my old Maxima. It truly is amazing, Acura is in a whole different class.

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  Best vehicle ever owned - 2003 Acura MDX
  By dbehrens - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Ride and acceleration are excellent. The seat and driving position are very good. We waited a long time and a lot of searching to find this vehicle. Nothing with seating for 7 handled or looked as nice as my MDX. We are also thrilled with the Midnight Blue Pearl Exterior and Saddle enterior.

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  My First Luxury Performance Car - 2005 Acura RL
  By JJAcura - February 5 - 8:36 pm

  Driving the new RL almost from the moment of the first test drive for me was the culmination of an expectation that I have looked forward to over 20 plus years of Honda ownership. The 2005 RL represents the ultimate luxury performance car for me. I am satisfied. In some way it was like reaching a goal. (Now maybe my new goal will be moving beyond anything automotive related)

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  Im Loving It! - 2009 Acura TSX
  By fsal89 - February 5 - 5:36 am

  I traded in my 2003 BMW 325Ci coupe on the 2009 Acura TSX just over one week ago. I was a little apprehensive of going from my BMW to the Acura, giving up two cylinders, German engineering and just the cachet of having a BMW. I decided, however, that I needed to make a change for better reliability and the addition of two doors for practicality. Albeit its only been about ten days, but I am pleasantly surprised at how much I have fallen in love with my TSX. It has all of the amenities that my BMW had and more. The fit and finish is impressive. Fuel economy is about twenty percent better - 24 mixed in the BMW to 29 in the Acura. People on the street even stop me to ask about it.

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  Loving My TSX - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Liz Armstrong - February 4 - 12:40 am

  I love my car and I am very happy with it, and have absolutely no complaints. It is very fun to drive, and people comment on it everywhere I go, and the gas mileage is ok. I did expect better mileage of a 4-cylinder though.

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  Great car - 2005 Acura TL
  By Fritz - February 2 - 3:20 am

  To really appreciate the TL you have to first drive a C class, BMW 3 or 5 series and a G35. The acceleration exceeds the performance of both BMW and C class between 30 and 60 mph (freeway entry and passing ability). Although the G35 may be slightly quicker, the TL feels richer, has a better interior and much better curb appeal.

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  A gem - 1990 Acura Legend
  By Larry Gorman - February 1 - 11:40 am

  Got a 90 Legend for our younger son in 2000 with 122K, one owner car. Now we own it and it has 171K. We LOVE this car. Not the fastest or best handling, but that engine still sings and it does not want to run less than 80 on the interstate - she will still do 100 in a snap. Ride, comfort and balance are excellent, and it is so LOW - the lowest 4 door sedan I have seen in a long time. We are looking UP at other people all the time - I like it. Will be a sad day indeed when it comes time to let go of her which is fast approaching. That second timing belt/water pump change is hard to justify for such an old car. The 2.7 liter first series Legend, is one of the best cars ever made, IMHO.