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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  Love my TSX!! - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Alison311 - April 20 - 12:56 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive, I just love it. I had an RSX for three yrs. prior to this car and all I can say is you cant beat an Acura. The Navi is lots of fun (it is impossible to get lost!) the audio system "bumps" and I love the in-dash changer! The dash is beautifully illuminated at night..all controls are right at your fingertips. I was always afraid a 4- door would make me old or at least feel old, but not this car. This car is sporty and super cool too! The value for the money is beyond amazing! This car does everything but drive itself, and thank goodness for that, cuz driving it is sooo much fun!

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  Horrible Steering Wheel Vibration - 2007 Acura TSX
  By Alexis - April 20 - 8:01 am

  When I first bought the Acura, I loved it, except for a minor vibration in the steering wheel. I brought it in a while later and the dealership fixed something else. They messed with the brakes. The wheel vibration is now worse and I have vibration in the brakes now as a result. I have been told that this is a problem with the TSXs and cant be fixed. I guess Im stuck with it. The car does drive very nicely on the highway, though.

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  Just All Right - 2006 Acura TL
  By VirginiaLovely - April 19 - 2:07 pm

  Love the car, with the exception of the interiror quality. After looking at several vechicles, I went with the Acura because I thought the car was fun to drive, looked great, and I liked the idea of an all-inclusive package. I understand this is considered a "luxury" vehicle, but Im getting a little tired of spending $200+ every time I have to service the car. The TL is high maintenance, and very expensive to own, especially with the current gas prices. The gas milage is not great. In 10 months of ownership, Ive spent $325 to replace 1 tire, then probably another $750 on scheduled maintenance. Great car, but be prepared to see your bank account take a hit! Not for the cost-cautious!

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  2007 Acura RL - 2007 Acura RL
  By Bill Fischer - April 19 - 8:55 am

  This has been an excellent purchase and both my wife and I are very pleased with the car. My only comment is that I feel the passenger seat should have the same power features as the drivers side - i.e., the seat is too low for my wife.

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  06 TL - 2006 Acura TL
  By acuralegend1 - April 19 - 7:07 am

  Wanted this car for years. Finally purchased a CPO last August. Had to go back for service twice in first month - once for rear deck speaker rattle and second time because the power steering hose came off, lost P/S fluid and began making a terrible noise. This was a fluke so dont let this deter you from the TL. This is the fourth Acura Ive had in the last 15 years and certainly wont be the last.

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  A true Legend-should bring em back - 1994 Acura Legend
  By UNITY - April 19 - 12:04 am

  I may be biased but this car is phenomenal! Everyone who sees my car thinks its a much newer model than it really is and I let them believe it. Even my mechanic is surprised at what good shape this 14 year old car is in. This car has torque. Parts are expensive but who cares cause if you take good care of it the car probably wont break down anyway. An all around good, stylish, dependable, comfortable, reliable car & girls love it. Thank you Honda.

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  Love, love, love my Acura - 2007 Acura TL
  By acuramomma - April 18 - 11:01 pm

  Went from a 2001 Chrysler Concorde to this car--amazing difference. Wanted something sporty coming off of the big gas-guzzling luxury car with no power. Love merging onto a highway and blowing everyone away. Mechanic friend was very impressed by it. Dont think I could find another car this size I would love as much. I am fortunate to not be experiencing the rattling or problems others are having.

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  SLX Premium Package I Love It - 1996 Acura SLX
  By Gremlenman2000 - April 18 - 2:01 pm

  I love this SUV! 20 MPG. Tows an 18 ft boat well. No problems in the boat ramp. Slips in and out of 4WD with ease. I would buy another. I wish I had bought this SLX new. Thanks

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  Great Luxury Sedan - 2004 Acura TL
  By B52 EWO - April 18 - 2:16 am

  Great Car, have had no problems. A thrill to drive. First required service was after 6500 miles per the cars diagnostic.

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  Dedicated Acura Owner - 1999 Acura Integra
  By Erica - April 17 - 4:37 pm

  I bought an Acura Integra GS-R and have owned it for 9 years. It has been extremely reliable, fun, and great gas mileage. It doesnt have a lot of power off the line, but the V-TEC kicks in around 3500 and you feel it! The back is very limited in leg room, but you can fit 2 (short) adults in back in a pinch. I have done regular maintenance, and the only thing that has failed on the car was a cracked radiator (driving from Phoenix to Tucson in July). Its a great car for younger drivers, but is safe and reliable for long trips.