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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  Great Value - 2006 Acura RL
  By JP-Naples - October 18 - 11:56 am

  Just picked this up a couple days ago. Was looking at many others. I always went back to Acura RL. Has every option one could ask for in the best price. Looks great, sound system rocks, nav looks good. Need to spend some time on learning how to voice activate all options.

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  Great Car! Top in class! - 2003 Acura TL
  By mevande - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I have onwed many luxury cars (BMW 5 and 7 series). This car is by far the most fun to drive and the looks are underated . Have been "stopped" many times with comliments about the cars "look". The engine is a jewel. 260 HP and buries the BMW 3 series. BMW overated, smallish and overpriced.

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  Great Car! Top in class! - 2003 Acura TL
  By MrBeemer789 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I have onwed many luxury cars (BMW 5 and 7 series). This car is by far the most fun to drive and the looks are underated . Have been "stopped" many times with comliments about the cars "look". The engine is a jewel. 260 HP and buries the BMW 3 series. BMW overated, smallish and overpriced.

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  Best choice for third row seat 4wd SUV - 2006 Acura MDX
  By Marc - October 18 - 12:00 am

  I have 3, soon to be 4 kids. But this is the secondary kid hauler to the minivan. The MDX is incredibly comfortable with just the right amount of refinement to be attractive but not overdone. All my kids are comfortable in the third row (tall 6 and 8 year olds) with moderate room behind 3rd row. Gas mileage has been 17 city and as good as 27 on the highway. Fold down seating is quick and easy. Stereo is good, not great. Runs fine on 87 or 93 octane.

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  another great Acura vehicle - 2006 Acura MDX
  By Acurafan - October 16 - 7:13 am

  I really enjoy this Acura, the seating for 7 is great - can take my kids and their friends out in one vehicle. And can still park in my garage. Ive owned 4 previous Acuras, so Im loyal, but before buying this MDX I considered the competitors. The MDX was the better total package - great balance of sporty features with practicality, Also, its the perfect size allowing for a useful 3rd row (kids).

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  WOW!! - 2006 Acura TL
  By Ray - October 15 - 8:03 am

  Truly the deal of the year! The TL was recommended and I could tell immediately that based on other evals and recommendations that this was the car to check out. I bought it and love every minute I drive it.

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  My Awesome Black Beauty - 2005 Acura TL
  By A. Vierra - October 14 - 8:43 pm

  I love my TL...Feels great everytime I sit behind the wheel...Love everything about it cept that leather tends to wear out in the area where I get in and out of the car...My Pebl cell phone isnt compatible with car altho its listed as it should be...

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  Best Bang for the Luxury Buck - 2006 Acura TL
  By JR - October 14 - 8:16 am

  I bought the 2006 model as a "left over." Cant wait to drive it every time. Performance is outstanding as is its handling. The interior is roomy and the steering has a very nice feel to it. The car hugs the road, especially around courners. Interior layout is very ergonomic. The quality of the leather is excellent and the body style is very eye-catching.

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  Zees MDX - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Abryzt - October 14 - 2:00 am

  This SUV handles very well; steers very responsibly. I mightve enjoyed a bucket seat like the Acura TL, but altogether, the MDX indeed is a luxurious SUV.

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  Great car - 2004 Acura TL
  By j scar - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I have german cars-Two (BMW 330 and Audi TT). Alot of german car lovers have an emtional attachment to their cars but if you take the emotion out of it you will soon realize that you are driving one the best cars for the money and that includes performance, style, luxury and driving excitment.