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 SUV - Excellent value - 2005 Acura MDX
  By krc - August 1 - 9:50 pm

  After 18 months, I cant find anything not to like about my MDX. This is my first Acura and second SUV. I am a finicky consumer and researched all luxury models prior to buying - it paid off! For the money, this is by far the best SUV in its class. Gas mileage was better than anticipated. And, it has the highest safety/crash test ratings. Quality, comfort, and value...I love it!

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  Unbreakable! - 2006 Acura MDX
  By Tracer - August 1 - 5:27 pm

  Its a great drive, for a large (it really is large, once you see it next to a CRV or something) SUV. Fuel-wise, weve been getting better milage on the highway than Acura states, in the city it likes to drink a bit. Cars a little on the slow side (compared to our other vehicle, the 2005 Acura RL) but its very heavy of course. The car has never had problems, nothing ever breaks (unlike our previous Lexus, on which EVERYTHING broke within a year) and it just keeps going and going, especially considering my lead foot.

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  A great Car! - 2006 Acura RSX
  By Anna - August 1 - 12:17 am

  I love the car. It is absolutely beautiful.

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  Exceeded My Expectations! - 2006 Acura RL
  By Michael - July 31 - 6:59 pm

  I have owned premium cars like Cadillac and most recently a Mercedes E320. The Acura by far is the BEST! It was between a BMW 5 series and the Acura won hands down.

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  Awesome Car! - 2005 Acura RL
  By stingerbtry - July 31 - 5:31 pm

  I purchased the RL after looking at the GS and the M as well but found that I liked everything about the RL way more and for the price it couldnt be touched by the others. I am very happy with all aspects of the car and impressed with the performance from a 6cyl luxury car.

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  Buy this car - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Colorado Fun - July 31 - 4:30 pm

  After researching and test driving for months I decided to buy the TSX. I LOVE THIS CAR! I have owned a Lexus ES-300, Honda Accord, Lexus RX 300, and a Nissan Pathfinder. Without question, I like this car more than any of those - by far. Excellent power to weight ratio, luxury features galore, excellent ride and build quality. BMW 3-series & the Infinity G-35 cant match the overall value of this car. If you are looking for a car priced under 30k - test drive this one and you wont be sorry.

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  Class and performance at a fair price - 2001 Acura CL
  By ChicagoJay - July 30 - 8:32 pm

  I got into this car used, with 45,000 miles after owning a custom-ordered 99 Grand Prix GTX (GTP w/ SLP upgrades). I have to say, 3 years later, the Acura has definitely held its value better than my Grand Prix did. It also performed comparably, but is much quieter. The interior is what really sets the Acura apart. Good leather, wood grain plastic, hooks to keep the foot mats in place (the Grand Prix required after-market mats because the factory ones were useless). To top it all off, my Acura was assembled in Toledo, OH whereas my Grand Prix was put together in Canada. The Acura is a bit heavier than the Grand Prix, so it doesnt corner as well, and its not as fast off the start.

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  Loving the TSX! - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Best car yet! - July 29 - 7:07 pm

  I bought a TC in 2005 and traded it in for a 2006 TSX, what an improvement. Better power, comfort, bigger car. I love the drive...excellent quality inside and out.

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  Love this car!!! - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Rhonda - July 29 - 4:30 pm

  Love my TSX!!!! Had the wonderful opportunity to drive a friends 2006 Acura and loved it so much that I went and bought one. The luxuary is incredible for the price.

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  Excellent Car - 1991 Acura Integra
  By Ken - July 29 - 2:52 am

  Got this car new when I turned 16. I still have it in 2006(My first and only car) Mostly a commuter car now with over 190K. No problems. Its overly reliable. Only problem is that teenage kids are attracted to trying to steal it, take emblems, or break in. It is the only car I owned and has been the most pleasant experience. Average 30mpg, accelerates wonderfully at all speeds, handles extremely well, and brakes phenomenally. Only took it in to replace rear struts and timing belt. Thats it. I replaced the front brakes pads twice and the rear once on my own. They last forever. Will retire it in 6 months as I am getting too old for it. It sits low and I need cushier seats. :)