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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  worth the wait - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Laura A. - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I spent 2 months researching midsize SUVs with the third seat, both on line and in dealerships. I was looking for a vehicle I would keep for over 5 years. I found the MDX to be by far the best in its field. The interior layout was very well thought out and had good use of space. The safety features were what I demand for transporting my children around. But, when I drove it I was sold. My parents just bought the new Volvo SUV, and being a huge Volvo fan I was curious about how it measured up to my Acura. (The Volvo SUV wasnt out when I was looking.)I liked the Volvo, but, I can honestly say I made the right choice.

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  Great Car - 2003 Acura TL
  By mark g - November 24 - 2:00 am

  This is an awsome car that is responsive and fun to drive.

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  Very dependable - 1998 Acura TL
  By Reggie - November 23 - 4:04 pm

  I purchases the car off lease after 2 years. Because I had a warranty I took advantage and ordered new seat. Seat did not match, removed and replaced with seat from trade-in (my greed, great service). Keep service maintenance not expensive. Replaced timing belt after 100,000 fuel sensor cleaned at over 120,000 Battery replaced after 7 years.

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  Awesome car for the $$ - 2005 Acura TSX
  By TSX Lady - November 22 - 6:26 pm

  This car is awesome. Only a 4 cylinder but it has plenty of get up and go for in town and highway driving. Everything comes standard on the car except the navigation. It is gorgeous inside and out. I get at least 1 compliment a week on my TSX.

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  2005 Acura RL - 2005 Acura RL
  By Melvin DenWiddie - November 22 - 12:08 pm

  This car is just amazing!! The super handling is great and features like the keyless access, hands free use of the navigational system and cell phone are the greatest. The ride is extremely comfortable and cabin is very quite which allows complete enjoyment of the sound system.

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  First Acura - 2004 Acura TL
  By Chad - November 20 - 7:02 pm

  Very first acura purchase and I really like it, however trying to be smooth with the clutch has proved a challenge for me and my wife. Hit a small pot hole and bent a front wheel, seems more delicate than it should be. Only have 4500mi but have averaged about 23mpg in mixed driving. Also a lot of people complain about rattles and we have found it is the things in all the compartments, cd, keys, misc. that make all the noise. So far great car.

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  Best all around performance, best value - 2006 Acura RSX
  By 06RSXTypeS - November 19 - 1:12 pm

  Read any 2005 or 2006 car comparison between the Type-S (or Civic Si) and its competitors and the editors place the Acura (or Honda) in first. Theyve got it right. The Type-S, like myself is a Gemini: its an excellent daily commuter when kept below 4,000 rpm or it can be a racer if pushed above 4,000 rpm. The suspension is a bit stiff making for a bumpy ride on anything but glass- smooth roads, but thats the price to pay for 0.88g cornering. Fit and finish are excellent. The heated sideview mirrors are an excellent touch and come in handy when coated with dew or frost. The 2nd/3rd gear grinding IS an issue but ONLY if the driver doesnt take care in ensuring the gear is fully engaged.

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  Simply Irresistible - 2003 Acura TL
  By MD2380 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is absolutely fantastic! Fun to drive, great performance, very easy on the eyes... It has great build quality, have 15,000 miles and havent had any problems. Also considered Volvo S60, but performance couldnt compare. Simply a great value!

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  Serious bang for the buck - 2005 Acura TSX
  By HarleyTX - November 17 - 8:26 pm

  After driving and pricing several Euro competitors, Im extremely happy with my TSX. Even though its not the fast car out there, it has plenty of grunt in the higher rpms. The interior, like most Honda products, is above reproach and the list of standard features is what sold this car. Take this car to your favorite country road and its a blast.

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  Treat, no Tricks - 2005 Acura RL
  By bydand - November 17 - 12:52 pm

  Took delivery of Redondo Red Pearl RL on Halloween and have been in heaven for my commute ever since. Rock solid ride, quiet luxurious interior, PLENTY of power (looking forward to getting past initial break-in) and fantastic handling for such a heavy car. Nits being picked in some reviews should be taken as just that, everybody has an opinion. Im sure that after a few months I wont know how I survived without Navi & Voice Command in the past neat to find restaurants, ATMs, etc. Sound system is worthy of a large room 5.1 Surround Sound Audio disc free with purchase is a feast for the ears. Co-workers and neighbors all want to know what it is.