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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  MDX- dependable and fun - 2001 Acura MDX
  By Debbie - May 31 - 5:19 pm

  I was one of the earliest MDX buyers in our area. I love my MDX! It has been dependable, comfortable and low maintenance. I put a lot of mileage on yearly and have been thrilled with the vehicle! I am now first in line for the new RDX and am anxiously awaiting its arrival! I hope it is as good as my MDX (but with the kids grown up and out, I no longer need a 7 passenger car). I highly recommend the MDX!

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  Love my TL Elegant & Sporty - 2005 Acura TL
  By garymbachap - May 30 - 7:56 pm

  This is a great vehicle. I love the navigation and the voice control. Mine is a sporty and elegant Desert Mist Metallic with the Parchment interior. This is one of the most unique color combinations. The entire family loves the comfort, styling and power it has. It is the best value out there.

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  Excellent value and pleasant car to driv - 2006 Acura TSX
  By KT - May 30 - 11:10 am

  Have had the TSX for three weeks. It is a most pleasant car to drive, better than the Volvo, MBZ, BMW and other cars we have had over the years. Good overall size, reasonable fuel economy, and the engine is excellent - can use a bit more low-end torque but is adequate - equals if not surpass many of the six cylinders. Steering is a little heavy and turning diameter is wide, with a somewhat firm ride. The interior is great exterior is clean without overdoing anything. Overall an excellent value.

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  The perfect car! - 2009 Acura TSX
  By jdriver72 - May 29 - 10:43 am

  I traded in my 07 Civic Ex/nav for my 09 TSX. Its beautiful! In this price range you just cant beat it. Went in for a TL but fell in love with the tsx. Under 800 miles and I am getting 25 mpg. The sound system is amazing and the iPod interface is astounding. It rides like a dream and turns a lot of heads

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  Just Got Mine - 2004 Acura MDX
  By chrisinoc - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I picked mine up after a 2 week wait. I was very impressed by all the features this SUV has. I did extensive research on all the SUVs and concluded this was the best one for the money. There may be others with a better look, faster, or plusher interior but none so well rounded.

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  sweetest yet - 2004 Acura TL
  By mrpete - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This car has been the most fun of any Ive ever owned. Navigation solid TEN. Power a solid TEN. Stereo system a TEN. Exhaust sound a solid TEN. A head turner solid TEN. Still getting compliments and looks 6 months after purchased.

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  One Awesome Vehicle! - 2004 Acura TL
  By Dennis Reed - May 28 - 10:00 am

  You need only drive this car to love it, the 270hp V-6 is very responsive and the handling is excellent. I am a previous owner of Nissan Maximas (91, 96 and 01) and this car blew them away as well as blowing away the 04 Maxima! Im getting around 23mpg in the city going back and forth to work, this along with the comfort and luxury of the vehicle make it the perfect choice.

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  acura tl - 2004 Acura TL
  By jzz - May 28 - 10:00 am

  good, fun car. good deal for the money.

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  Acura TL review - 2004 Acura TL
  By Don B - May 28 - 10:00 am

  A very enjoyable ownership experience. Handles well (besides the torque steer). Very fast. Killer stereo.

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  First Front wheel drive - 2004 Acura TL
  By Cato 727 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Have had Pors. BMWs, Merc. and last was 1993 Q 45. Mild torque steer under hard acceleration and slightly heavier feel in the steering than the other, but considering this car is many thousands less than the newer versions of what I had been driving, it is an unbelievable value.