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 rsx All good. (no bad or ugly) - 2003 Acura RSX
  By Mike Siano - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I researched all the competition before my purchase, test drives etc. This car does it all. Daily driver, Weekend screamer.Am currently driving on winter rubber and steel wheels. Performs great in snow or rain. Predicable handling, great shifter. Drive it as an economy car, or stomp on it and "get on the cam". Reliable as a furnace, tossable, room for kids. Hope to keep as long as my last Honda (12 years). Would recommend to any enthusiast.

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  Needed 2 of these cars!!! - 2002 Acura TL
  By dogteam - May 27 - 2:00 am

  We bought my wifes 3.2 Type S in 2001 so we have had it a while. After over 30k miles it hasnt had to be repaired for anything. The main thing I hate is it is hard not to get a ticket in this car because it goes to fast and makes you try to take turns faster.

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  Id buy it again - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Alexandra Azevedo - May 27 - 2:00 am

  It rides very good and smooth. Could have more room in the front, I had a Town and Country before so I fell a little tight sometimes. 3rd row is confortable,my 10 year old rides there all the time.There are lots of room for cargo in the back. If you consider an entertainment system, get it factory installed, Im having a hard time to get one, it is difficult to install because of the sunroof, and the headrest would only fit a 4" monitor, too small...Plus, there is not much room for a dvd player under the seats. My kids are disappointed! I enjoy driving my MDX and most of all I enjoy my Bose sound system!

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  Powerful RDX... like a bomb - 2008 Acura RDX
  By Ravi - May 27 - 1:35 am

  Purchased base RDX 3 months ago. Its value for money and it delivers as promised. Like its initial pickup. You will be ahead of traffic!! Like its estimated MPG feature and shows how fuel efficient you can drive. I am getting around 16 miles in city.

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  Super Handling AWD - 2008 Acura MDX
  By JP - May 26 - 3:33 pm

  One of the best handling vehicles Ive ever owned. Feels much more like a sedan than an SUV (once it gets rolling). Averaging about 20 MPG, feels like less since the tank is relatively small. Stereo is very good. Oil changes are expensive since it requires synthetic oil.

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  Love this car! - 2008 Acura TL
  By wilywop - May 26 - 8:04 am

  I have a 97 Acura which was totally reliable, so I stuck with Acura when I purchased a new car. I am a middle aged woman who really isnt "in" to cars, but this one is just great. Am still working to familiarize myself with the bluetooth and navi bluetooth is a bit contrary, but my husband says it is operator error. Just took a trip, and using cruise on straight empty TX highway, got 32 mpg! In town is about 22. My only problem is seeing past tall headrests in back, and wide posts dividing windows at side. Have had to reluctantly learn to trust mirrors more. It is so quiet and smooth, I find myself hitting 80 mph before I know it, and have to rein it in.all in all an amazing vehicle.

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  i want another - 2002 Acura MDX
  By mdxking - May 26 - 3:50 am

  I cant belive i waited 5 months for the vehicle, but it was worth the wait. The standered features are unbelivable. I never thought i would use the navigation system, but it is a lifesaver i dont have to get out and ask for directions.(male thing) After my brother saw my vehicle he went and ordered one to. he only has to wait 3 months.(no fair) Life goes on.

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  Nice car overall - 2008 Acura TSX
  By bengalsfan - May 25 - 7:35 pm

  I bought the 08 TSX for my wife. My wife actually likes the 08 better. I prefer the 09, but love what we got for the money. The car is solid and I maybe just becoming a Honda guy. The value here is way more than you see with the European cars, so I dont think Ill be buying another BMW. Plus the future maintenance costs with this car are much lower than BMWs.

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  Acura TL-S - 2007 Acura TL
  By Chris - May 25 - 5:33 am

  Bought a 2007 Acura TL-S in late January and I love it. I was choosing between the TL-S and the Lexus IS 350. Went with the TL-S because it was bigger and more roomy than the IS 350. The car has quite a bit of "get up and go" and will do 0-60 in under 6 sec. Handles very well. Interior is very nicely done and the car looks great from the outside. It is really the ideal blend of sportiness and luxury and comes loaded. I love the NAV system and the bluetooth is great! I love the seats too - very comfortable. Tip for those who do not like the TL-S wheels: I asked the dealer if he could trade out the TL-S wheels for the regular TL wheels and they were happy to do it for no extra charge. Try it.

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  Good times - 1993 Acura Legend
  By dmendez - May 25 - 2:30 am

  Okay so as a young man I like to get the full experience out of driving my vehicle, therefore making my driving experiences as memorable as possible. Here in lies my review. I believe my car to be the most enjoyable vehicle Ive ever had. It is fun to drive and durable as all hell. Ill be the first to admit that I occasionally horsebeat my vehicle. With the engine upgrades as easy as theey were who wouldnt. My car is acceptionally quick and comfortabble to drive and manouver around in. my only complaint is the loose rearend. its easy to loose control of with the rear being so light in weight. Overall it is the most enjoyable and comfortable sedan Ive driven.