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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  What did ya expect??? Its coooolio! - 2005 Acura TL
  By calit_tl - December 16 - 5:40 pm

  I underpowered off the line, but more than makes up for it in midrange. Nav with voice command is lots of fun. Its really cool changing the radio station, the climate control, which CD is playing etc. by voice command. Oh, and the "Find nearest..." voice command is really cool. "Find nearest chinese restaurant". Shhhhnazzy! Great car to drive. Very nimble with a very satisfying acceleration jolt when the gas peddle is mashed. The stereo has very good sound quality but is a bit underpowered if you like to rattle your rearview mirror. Be prepared. This is a sports sedan and not a "pillow barge". Therefore it may ride a bit stiff if youre expecting to sit on a cushion of poof.

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  All the right stuff - 2008 Acura TL
  By Frank - December 16 - 5:03 am

  This is my second Acura, and I must say I love this car. It has everything youll want and is the best valued sporty, luxury car on the market.

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  I am in love - 2006 Acura TSX
  By arielp - December 15 - 2:06 pm

  Get this car. The photos dont do it justice. Take it for a test drive.. It will change your mind. Every one I know loves this car. It is the best value around. Do you really need anymore power? This one does everything well, not just a few great like the BMW and AuDI.Silky smooth six speed buttery soft leather. Every one loves the XM and Voice navigation.

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  The Best Car, I have ever owned - 2006 Acura TSX
  By DeLeon Andrews - December 15 - 1:16 pm

  I have owned many 4 cyl cars in the past 33 years. The TSX is a sport sedan that is the fun to drive every day. I have read all the reviews about TSX needing more horsepower, for what reason! My wife (Mich) grew up driving V-8s and V-6s she said the TSX is the fastest car she has ever driven and her first manual shift. Check out the top ten cars on the residual value list. I am happy TSX does not suit everyone taste.

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  2004 TL - 2005 Acura TL
  By RickRson - December 15 - 9:06 am

  I love this car. It is exciting every time I get in it. Ive had no problems, but have a curious situation. The fuel tank claims to be over 17 gallons, but even when running on empty I have never been able to put more than 13 gallons in without the automatic cut-off kicking in and then I can only get more gas - up to 3 gallons or so - into the tank in short bursts. This is a pain. The dealer finds no problem.

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  Nice car - 2002 Acura TL
  By adam - December 14 - 7:08 pm

  This is a very nice car. It is very reliable and has never broken down on me. If I were to buy another car I would have to go with the same car, because it is very fun to drive (goes when you press the gas).

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  Just Fun - 2005 Acura TL
  By NEW - December 14 - 4:10 pm

  I have had the TL for 3 months now. Its been fun to drive and I look forward to my commute. The car is well put together. It drives like a lux sports sedan. It is quiet and you feel in total control.

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  Perfection - 2005 Acura TL
  By Chuck - December 14 - 3:58 pm

  The finest automobile I have ever owned. Better gas mileage than advertised at 32-34 mpg on trips, 25- 27 in town.

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  Best value on the market - 2005 Acura TSX
  By jogee - December 14 - 3:33 am

  Save yourself some time. If youre looking for a higher-end vehicle that gets great gas mileage, is of outstanding quality, has great performance, and is a good value, get the Acura TSX. Im sure Lexus, Infiniti, Audi, and BMW have very good competing models. But you cant touch them for the same money. I researched vehicles for about 5 months before I bought my TSX. So far its lived up to my every expectation. Not sorry I made the choice. Engine noise is almost non-existent, even at high RPMs. This little car will really get up and go if you want it to. More that acceptable acceleration, even at low RPMs (considering its a 4-banger). A great car and a great value!

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  TSX Review - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Ginny Allen - December 13 - 10:43 am

  I absolutely LOVE my car! I got it about 1 year & a half ago but I still feel like its new. It looks great (mine is red!) & it drives wonderfully. I had a Toyota Solara before this (it was my first car- Im only 21). It was good but this car is GREAT! Buy one!!!