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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  RSX - 2006 Acura RSX
  By rjf1966 - November 29 - 11:47 am

  I have about 450 miles on my RSX, it is a well built car with great attention to details. The biggest suprise is the powertrain, it is very smooth and predictable, up to this point I was an old school guy in regard to bigger is better for engines. Yea my old Z28 would still run these new boy racers into the ground in a race but these cars are very refined and smooth. I love this car. Not one regret at all.

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  The TL Rocks - 2004 Acura TL
  By hoosier - November 29 - 12:52 am

  I researched tons, narrowed to a G35, 3 series, and TL. TL wins hands down for value--so many options, performance is great and it is solid. Every day I drive the car its fun! Agreed on the factory tires, likely Ill need to replace them when the weather gets bad, outside of that it has everything its a clear choice over the competition. There arent a ton here in DC that I see so its nice to have a unique car that is truly a sleeper. Get the TL.

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  Surprising Find - 2004 Acura TSX
  By scrfan - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Shopping for a Audi or BMW and went to look at the TSX at last minute.Got awesome car for at least $7000 less. Great car.

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  Well Worth the Money - 2005 Acura RL
  By houston05rl - November 27 - 11:12 pm

  I looked seriously at Lexus and Mercedes and Infiniti. For the money there was no comparison. Very reliable, all the high tech items work (BlueTooth, XM, Navigation, Voice Commands, etc. Gas Mileage better than I had anticipated, 28 mpg at 75-80 mph. The ride and interior are first class with much more room than the E Class MB and Lexus GS. So far I have had no problems with the car. I had the Ground Effects added to the car and it greatly enhances its looks and gives it a much sportier stance. The only issues that I do have are: The trunk is too small and poorly shaped the auto on/off feature on the headlights rings a chime when you turn off the ignition and exit the car.

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  one heck of a fun car - 2005 Acura TL
  By norcalmichael - November 27 - 9:16 pm

  I have loved the TL since it was redesigned last year. After looking at a number of other makes and models I came back to the car I have been wanting. I bought a TL and love it. The quality/reliability is definitely Honda. Amazing the looks from others as well - if you like that sort of thing.

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  Super Fun to drive! - 2007 Acura RDX
  By Rusty - November 26 - 7:43 am

  I have had my RDX now for 1.5 months and I love it. It is the most fun car to drive that I have ever owned. The power is great! The cornering on snow and ice has been exceptional. I have already been through 3 blizzards! I never dreamed that this car would be so much fun! Sound system is the best ever experienced!

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  Great car, great value, fun to mod - 1999 Acura TL
  By Shaun - November 25 - 12:45 pm

  I have had my DEG (dark emerald green) TL for 2 and a half years and have had no problem with it at all. 117k and still on original tranny and runs better than new. I have upgrades many engine components to pull some great performance (faster than a Type S) out of this car w/o effecting its reliability and actually increasing overall gas mileage from 25 to 28 now. Interior is great, make sure you strip the paint off your shiftknob, it is chrome underneath you know (99 TL only). Exterior is very sexy and elegant, I think it stands out when detailed properly. Stock stereo isnt the greatest, I dont like Bose at all. Low maintenance vehicle and easy to work on yourself. Rotors lasted 100k+.

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  The Best Car I have ever owned! - 2005 Acura RL
  By Special K - November 24 - 2:36 pm

  The new Acura RL is the best car I have owned in every facet of your imagination. It is a Lxy Sdn when you want it too be and with in a moments notice, it is a Spts Sdn on demand. Cornering with this car is phenomenal, I feels as though it corners even better with your foot heavily down on the accel peddle. This one of kind SH-AWD (Super handling AWD) sys gives you confidence that you can never imagine with out actually driving the RL. I have taken in on road trips and was very impressed with the 28 mpg I got on the hwy cruising along at 80 mph. The sound sys makes you think that you are actually in a music hall but in reality you are in your RL. The ease of use the bluetooth cntrl.....

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  Try to find better.... - 2001 Acura Integra
  By SouthFlorida-ITR - November 24 - 7:42 am

  This car is nothing less than INCREDIBLE! I have driven many cars, and I must say this is more fun than a BMW M3 and Porsche Boxster Sport. Its fast and furious, nimble, responsive and just down right FUN! **WARNING** this vehicle is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!

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  Glad We Bought An MDX - 2003 Acura MDX
  By rabman - November 24 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I spent many months shopping (thank you Edmunds for being a great, reliable source of information). We narrowed it down to Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and MDX. We decided on MDX based upon superior features, handling and horsepower. Both of us love driving this vehicle; it handles amazingly well for an SUV.