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 it! - 2002 Acura MDX
  By Linda - May 2 - 10:26 pm

  Its easy to see why they are being sold as quickly as they arrive on the sales floor.

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  RDX - let er roll - 2007 Acura RDX
  By On the road again - May 2 - 10:06 pm

  Purchased an RDX two weeks ago. Previously owned a Honda CRV and loved it. Wanted to upgrade and stay with a Honda. Getting 22 mpg for normal highway driving. Could easily get less with the peppy turbo if you stand on it. Great handling both on straightaways and curves and a solid built vehicle. A litte stiff ride but quiet interior with awesome stereo system. Love the navigation system but it takes some time to learn the commands. Bluetooth is awesome and great for making/answering calls while traveling. Tilt down right passenger mirror is helpful when backing as well as rear viewing camera. Gauges are well placed and lighted both day and night. Overall pleased so far.

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  CPO Goodness - 2005 Acura TSX
  By ElJefe - May 2 - 12:44 pm

  I have wanted a TSX since I first drove one in 2003. My dream is now reality: I picked up my 05 CPO 6-speed with Nav last night. The TSX is all about the sum of its parts, the way it drives. It may not be the fastest or pull the most Gs, but man o man is it fun to drive. Combine this with jewel-like quality and an impressive standard feature set, and you have a winner in the TSX.

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  Rating of the the RL - 2006 Acura RL
  By Nigel Crooks - May 1 - 3:59 pm

  this car is well built and has a lot of wonderful features to offer. i like the cornering capability and high tech functions. i dislike the seat as it is hard to exit and enter from the vehicle. i hope acura change the for the next year model.

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  Sweet Ride - 2006 Acura RL
  By Steve - April 30 - 1:46 pm

  Just got this car after driving a TL for a few years, loved my TL. Love my RL even more. This car does almost everything. The handling is great, it is quick the stereo is awesome and it has all kinds of bells and whistles

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  excellent on gas - 1997 Acura Integra
  By adam - April 30 - 11:27 am

  I drive this car on the highway mostly and get 33mpg. If I drive in the city I get 29mpg. I think Edmunds underrated this cars fuel economy, I consistently get higher miles per gallon and have the automatic transmission. Of course I dont beat up on it so this is probably why. This car is fun to drive, and handles well. I dont have to brake for turns which helps get great gas mileage.

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  Just a very good automobile - 2005 Acura TL
  By tomgutshall - April 29 - 8:29 pm

  Have owned a AcuraTL from 1996 and this 05 is the best so far. Cant wait for the 09 to come out

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  Lovin it! - 2004 Acura TSX
  By mjoe - April 28 - 7:11 pm

  I love my Acura TSX. It handles the corners great and comfort is the tops! This is my second Acura and I am sold and I will never go to another car make. Nothing but fun in this car.

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  Enduring Beauty - 1995 Acura Legend
  By Rob Smith - April 28 - 2:57 pm

  Now with 204,000 miles I continue to be amazed with the quiet strength and grace that this car demonstrates at rest and in motion. Routine maintenance still all that is needed and mileage not bad in low to mid 20s. A great highway cruiser or country road hugger. I think Ill just keep it...

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  Love my TL-S - 2002 Acura TL
  By snowman81 - April 27 - 6:18 pm

  Great car. Tranny problems exist in some CL/TL/MDX but Acura has provided an extension on the warranty to 7yr/100,000 miles. Other than that the car is wonderful. Ive added a few things for my preference to get a little more juice out of the engine and changed the suspension, however, stock the car does extremely well. A great combo of sport and luxury with the Type S.