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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  Lady Killer - 2003 Acura RSX
  By Dave Ho - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Its all about the pimp factor, girls love this car! Ive never owned a car that gets more comments on its good looks than I do. No other stick shift to compare either. It screams.

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  Stereo and Sound is The Weak Point - 2003 Acura RSX
  By Hectoman1 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I love driving a car that is uncommon. Was going to get a Civic or an Accord like everyone else, but thought I deserved better. This is a fun car. People check it out at the stop lights. Only 3 minor complaints: Stereo, Armrests, and Seat Comfort could be better.

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  TL-S is Hot - 2003 Acura TL
  By TLChris - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I ditched a 2000 Subaru Outback for my 2003 TL Type S. OK - no brainer, of course it is faster and more fun to drive. But before the Subie, I drove a Jaguar XJ6 (a 95 -it was a good one). Of course the TL-S is not as opulent, but it is so quick, nimble, and subtle in its beauty. And the sound system is flawless. The TL-S is a joy to drive. Best of all, it doesnt look like a Subie or spend like a Jag.

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  sunkist - 2005 Acura RSX
  By sunkist - May 13 - 5:08 pm

  i like my car, its fun to drive.

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  Lovin It - 2005 Acura RL
  By Bert - May 11 - 8:59 pm

  I bought a certified preowned low mileage RL. The car was everything I thought and hoped it would be. I looked at Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and found this to be hands down the best value for the money. If you are considering this car, buy it, you wont be disappointed.

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  Value for your dollar - 2003 Acura TL
  By Colorado Sunshine - May 11 - 3:18 pm

  Love it ! This car is fun to drive, easy to maintain, zippy and attractive.

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  Love this Car - 2003 Acura TL
  By LovemyTLS - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I just bought the TL Type S and absolutely love the car. Previously drove a Maxima SE and this car blows it away for only pennies more. The Navi system is a definite must.

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  Thunder - 2017 Acura MDX
  By Rajeev Kalsi - May 9 - 6:23 am

  "Thunder" thats what we named our MDX. Thats based on the black on black combo we got. Bought it after selling our pilot (you will be missed). Anyway , the Pilots big bro MDX is a great vehicle. I have never seen my wife more happy with a car we ever owned, than with this. On the road its calm , serene and commands a presence of its own. If the diamond grill and 22" wheels dont turn much heads, then the jewel eyes sure do it. It has a mind of its own even if you are feeling sleepy and it will tell you that by beeping every time you get too close to another car. Be it changing lanes or head on. Automatic braking is the most understated feature. Come to think of it, there have been times when I was driving another car and wished they had this one feature. Ample space for a family of 4 and spare seats for those once in 6 months or a year need for extra. Yes it comes with 2 memory sets of mirror and seating paired with 2 sets of keys. So when wife drives it mirror automatically set to her taste and when I do , it welcomes me with open arms and pre-adjusted seats and mirrors. Automatic liftgate, keyless car access and ambient lights give a feeling of luxury so does filling the gas tank with premium, only pinching , while drinking. Thats about the only pinch though. For buyers, with remorse, who would get a touring or elite younger brother, this gives a justified peace to its owner with the fact that its just couple of thousand more than the younger sibling. It also displays authority, with the body styling, shows seriousness, with 9 speed auto and means business when compared to the touring or elites, of which it claims none but possesses both. Meanwhile I keep finding reasons to get it out of garage for every little errand. For once, no errand is small.

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  Wish they still made the CLs - 1998 Acura CL
  By mlp211 - May 6 - 5:51 pm

  Fun to drive, great comfort, put Yokohama AVID V4s it handles great in every weather condition, on dry roads its a blast. Love the 5 speed tranny.

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  Type S is back and better! - 2007 Acura TL
  By TJ - May 6 - 4:50 am

  Decided to buy a 07 Acura TL type S instead of Lexus IS350 and BMW 330i and love it. Nav is by far better than Lexus and you can fully use it while driving. Over 600 voice commands on nav, Zagat restaurant ratings, real time traffic, standard HID lights, turn signals in mirrors, super bright LED taillights, red interior dash lights, High performance Brembo brakes, Real sport suspension with tight handling, Two-tone interior seating, dual front cupholders and a back seat that can actually fit two adults. Plus fully loaded w/ nav for $5k less than Lexus or BMW with navi and has great (honda) build quality.