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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  Cant beat it! - 2005 Acura RSX
  By jammin05s - April 6 - 3:41 pm

  I love this car. You will truly appreciate the power out of a stock 4 cylinder engine. More than 50 horse power per cylinder!! Performance you cant imagine from a company that did.

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  Best Car In Class - 2003 Acura TL
  By Dex - April 6 - 3:03 pm

  I traded in a 99 TL and everything that was missing from it is on my 02. The Type S package increased the level of performance and luxury that was lacking, I highly recommend it. The interior is basically the same, roomy, comfortable, and ergonomically pleasant. The resale is fantastic. For just a few dollars more per month and nothing down, I walked away driving a new and improved version of a car I already loved. Overall, the car is well worth the money Acura is asking.

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  Love my RL - 1998 Acura RL
  By AM - April 6 - 12:50 pm

  I am very picky about vehicles. I have always loved this Accura. I have to trade it in now and hope I can find something that suits me as well!

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  Couldnt be happier - 2005 Acura RL
  By KWOH - April 6 - 11:08 am

  I have had my RL for about 9 months now. This is an amazing vehicle. It could use a little more low end torque, but I knew this when I bought the car (V6 cant give V8 torque). The ride is smooth and quick, but still with some "feel". The interior is incredible: comfortable seats, well laid out controls. Best of all everything!!! is adjustable, and retained in memory, for each driver: from seat and mirror positions, to when the auto headlights turn on, to auto door locks, to radio presets. Voice recognition is very good. Looks a little too much like the Accord but this is minor when all the rest is considered. This is the most tech. advanced car on the market.

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  Spirited Driver - 2006 Acura RSX
  By Brett - April 5 - 3:07 pm

  This review is from the perspective of a "spirited" driver that didnt have enough money for a ferrari. Yet. Everything is as expected. Hondas reliability with Acuras fit and finish yields an excellent platform. The i-Vtec engine is really fun, even with only 155hp. The lightweight chassis makes it seem like much more. This cars fun-to-drive factor is through the roof, stable at high speeds, and very sure footed. On frigidly cold mornings there is a little chatter from the dashboard (mounting clips?) but goes away after the car warms up. Great in the snow. Car never bottoms out. I am disapointed about its gas mileage. I wasnt expecting 34 but 25 is about the best I can expect.

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  New RL - Urban area - 2006 Acura RL
  By RCook - April 5 - 10:37 am

  This is a great car to drive, very responsive, navigation system is very cool, traffic moniter very useful. Not for the driver that is easily distracted or is uncomfortable with technology. AWD is very responsive and sure in wet weather

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  NIce luxury Sedan - 2005 Acura TSX
  By S.f - April 5 - 12:54 am

  This car is awesome the style of it is really nice it has alot to offer plus.It has all the bells and whistles I can even imagine if haveing.I specially like the headlights they are nice and bright,the rearview mirrior has a dimmer that will block any annoying rear lights in your eyes.It has heated seats that is a plus 4 comfort.It has climate control So if ur hot turn the ac up,ur passenger is cold put the heater on.u can have a set temperture 73.it runs really smooth nice horsepower consider that any more i might get a ticket.Its stylish since i am a mom I can still have style plus 4 doors a plus if u have kids.Very dependable ,nice warranty

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  tsx - 2005 Acura TSX
  By S. DiGrego - April 5 - 12:40 am

  I love my TSX. Smooth Ride, great great features and its just amazing, there are no words you have to drive it to understand!

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  Worth a Look - 2005 Acura TL
  By Chris - April 4 - 11:52 pm

  I bought this car after looking at A LOT of others in the segment and after almost one year of having it, I couldnt be happier. Fun to drive, only needed one service thus far, and still getting compliments from people in parking lots, drive-thrus, and at the valet. It was the perfect present to myself after graduating from college.

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  A great car so far - 2005 Acura TL
  By wps1964 - April 4 - 2:10 pm

  I am thoroughly enjoying the car so far. I agree with other reviews that the Navi sometimes is way off on the commands. But the process of buying the car was painless. This car is loaded with many features and has a great engine. The only real problem I am having is finding the right Bluetooth phone provider. Verizons phone doesnt sink up and this list on the Acura web-site is pretty small. I look forward to the safety and convenience that this feature will offer.