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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  Comparing the RDX to BMW X3 - 2009 Acura RDX
  By jmh12 - December 28 - 11:16 am

  I traded my X3 for a used RDX. While the X3 was a good car, its reliability was waning after 100K. The RDX was a great choice. Reminds me of the X3. Ride is about the same (choppy over rough spots) but handles even better than the X3. Seems roomier and gets a bit better gas mileage. Sure you can get low miles if you keep your foot in the turbo. Im getting 23 to 27 on the highway and 19 in town. This is the AWD version too. I have an MDX thats been a reliable car. I expect the RDX to follow suit. Its a great car for one who enjoys driving and isnt put off by the tight suspension. Plus its an Acura.

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  Acura MDX 2012 Advance+Entertainment - 2012 Acura MDX
  By dragon64 - December 13 - 2:08 pm

  Looked at all models from Mercedes (GL), Lexus (GX), Toyota, Land Rover. Our needs were to fit full size cello in the back, 3 kids, 7 sitting capability occasionally for a car pool. Drivability and passenger comfort with technology to protect them. Acura MDX won at the end with the Advance and Entertainment features and space. Mercedes GL was close, had good room but much more expensive if decked out and the reliability history was not as good if reading feed back from internet. Did not drive as easy as Lexus GX and Acura. Lexus GX was best liked by driver sitting but not by the passengers (kids) secondary to cramped 2nd sitting and incredibly cramped 3rd row even for kids.

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  Great compact sedan - 2000 Acura Integra
  By andreroman21 - December 6 - 8:33 pm

  Had the car for about 2 years now. I love this car. From its styling to its nimbleness its a great all around car. The MPG is good as well. It is definately a classy sporty sedan. Interior is stylish as well. It comes with power everything and cruise control, Sunroof. 4 ABS disc brakes. Very well equipped for its day. Almost purchased a GS but I enjoy cloth seats much more and they last longer than leather. Only mods are the radio head unit, as well as coilovers and HID lights on the car. Tasteful mods. I recommend this car to anyone who does not have kids. If you have kids the Accord or TL would be better for you. I am only selling because I recently had child

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  My 1995 Acura Integra has 323,000 original miles - 1995 Acura Integra
  By lollypopgramma - December 5 - 9:33 am

  I am the original owner and I just love my Integra. It has never needed any major repairs and outside of normal maintenance has all its original parts. I now own 4 cars but I cannot seem to part with my Acura. I intend to give it to my 16 year old granddaughter when she gets her license.

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  Enjoying my first SUV - 2012 Acura MDX
  By appstategrad95 - November 30 - 9:01 pm

  Overall quite pleased with the vehicle. Its fun to drive, has a good bit of technological goodies and should be a reliable vehicle I hope my family enjoys for years to come.

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  Poor Mans 3 Series (and then some) - 2012 Acura TSX
  By exriguy - November 29 - 2:43 pm

  Read all the reviews and bought a black Special Edition. Paid just over $28k and it is the best "drivers car" you can get at that price, hands down. The sports interior on the SE is roomy and as nice as an M3 all the controls and fit and finish are what youd expect in an Acura. Seats are perfect and standard equipment is plentiful base stereo rivals upgraded stereos in other cars. Handling is on par with a 3 series, steering included. Despite the occasional review about vague "on center" steering feel, it is only in contrast to the previous car -- hardly noticeable and far from an issue. Takes corners with a nimbleness that only a 3 series can rival, but for $10k+ more.

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  Better choice than BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes, etc. - 2012 Acura TL
  By mcorley - November 21 - 4:36 pm

  Okay, so I am in my late 50s now and have owned so many cars since the late 60s that I cannot count them all. I owned Pontiac - Chevy - Ford - Lincoln etc. Switched to Japanese cars, specifically an Acura TL in 2001 and have since had many Honda/Acura products in my garage. Decided to test drive all high end sedans including Acura, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti and Audi. Drove them all. I can afford any of them yet decided that the new 2012 style TL was the best of the lot regardless of price. BMW overpriced and for the poseur - not all that. Audi was gutless like the Mercedes, Infiniti & Lexus quality second rate to the Acura. Best dollar for dollar car purchase Ive ever made. Awesome!!

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  [violative content deleted] - 2006 Acura RSX
  By dilbones - November 21 - 6:28 am

  I bought the car for 3000 dollars less than the Blue Book value from a dealership in the Philadelphia Area. It came with 70,000 miles and it was in wonderful condition. The exterior flows-- its designed so well and it looks so sexy! Its so smooth. By the way, mines red. ) I like simplistic interiors similar to that of the 98 Hondas. My family has owned four generations of Accords, and I love the older looking interiors. This cars interior is simplistic, yet futuristic, and thats why I love it. The slip angle at all four corners of the car was designed perfectly, and with MacPherson Struts, I was surprised at how perfectly this car corners. Fast, sexy, and reliable. 5 stars

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  A Welcome Change - 2012 Acura MDX
  By bulldog1979 - November 21 - 1:12 am

  I traded my 2009 RL for the 2012 MDX. I was looking for more room, and was willing to give up some technology to get it. I now feel I have a win/win situation. I have the elbow room I sought, and dont feel Ive given up any significant features. I now have a navigation screen I can see in the day or with my sunglasses on. The voice command system is more reliable/logical. The sound system seems just as good. I now have the hard drive storage for CDs. The power and acceleration seem better. The interior has high quality materials. It is a little thirstier by about 2 miles/gal. I miss the keyless ignition.

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  A nice upgrade from the Pilot - 2011 Acura MDX
  By tornadog - November 11 - 10:13 am

  The MDX is a perfect marriage of a sturdy, well designed SUV witht e comforts and handling of a car. The interior is very nicely designed, the tech gadgets in the car is a treat to use. The rid eis super comfortable and while the mileage is a hog, it is still better than my 2010 Pilot.