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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  Again......Acura gives you value for the money!! - 2016 Acura RDX
  By Randy - September 28 - 7:27 am

  Traded in a 2006 Acura TL that was really a great car and tremendous value. Would have kept but needed an all wheel drive vehicle due to moving north into snow areas. The RDX is a high quality ride and as always with Acura....reliable and great performance. The ride is smooth with tight handling. Mileage around town is 23-24 and on the road 31-33 depending on terrain. Interior fits well with a normal size person and everything is within reach easily to see and operate. You wont be disappointed with this vehicle.

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  The best of two worlds - 2005 Acura RL
  By Murry Cohen - September 27 - 5:40 pm

  This vehicle is just the best all around vehicle from Acura yet . For its class which is the largest luxury size yet, it gives excellent mileage for this class as compaired to other ex. Mercedes Benz. Workmanship is top of the line, horsepower is 300 hp without sacrificing mileage. Its what one would call in the old days a sleeper that blows the competition away!

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  Third time is a charm ... - 2006 Acura TL
  By texbuck - September 27 - 1:56 pm

  This is my third Acura, and is just what I expected ..Quality & Value for the money. It has all the toys that I need and then some. Sticker price not includeing taxes and license fees $35,325.00 and my out the door price was $34,395.16. This included mud guards, body side molding, tinted windows and the Navi.

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  MDX is Great! - 2005 Acura MDX
  By HappyTourer - September 27 - 2:14 am

  Looked at Lexus RX330 and Toyota 4- Runner but Acura won out with best design and ease of use. Mileage has been as expected about 19 mixed use so far, but better than the old 4-Runner with 150HP. Power is excellent. We added rear body-colored wing which makes it look even better. Hard to believe the MDX is still somewhat hard to come by after 5 years on the market. I still own a 91 Legend Coupe and cannot bear the thought of parting with it. Had no problem trading off the 4-Runner, though.

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  Excellent Family Vehicle - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Gills Family - September 26 - 9:33 pm

  This is my 4th owned Acura and this MDX doesnt disappoint. It has a car-like ride which we like and the engineering and technology is well worth the price which we found reasonable for a Luxury vehicle. Acura service is outstanding and we are looking forward to enjoying our retirement vehicle. The MDX is not just a vehicle but a solution to our transportation problems.

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  Freewayjims Review - 2003 Acura TL
  By Freewayjim - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned two of these and they are dollar-for-dollar the best all-around cars available in my opinion. This car drives wonderfully if you like a "sporty" suspension. A true joy to drive on the interstate and if you really want to have a blast take it on the West Virginia Turnpike at about 10 MPH over the speed limit! My car is still "tight" after 36,000 miles and Im pleased as can be with it.

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  best auto out of last three - 2003 Acura TL
  By john h. dohring - September 26 - 10:00 am

  it has everything a normal person would want; excellent workmanship, good power, good gas mileage. classy looking, and the handling straightaway or cornering is superb. i loved thatall options--except navsystem--were standard.

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  Acura TL is a dream come true! - 2003 Acura TL
  By jpbritto - September 26 - 10:00 am

  As a lifelong domestic driver, and still big Ford fan, I found myself converted to the Acura line. Love the TL Type-S, its speed, crisp acceleration, fantastic styling, and unmatched performance makes it the best car Ive ever owned. The 03 styling is still the best, the 04 is too Accord-like!

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  A fun car with enough luxury to suit you - 2003 Acura TL
  By Norm F - September 26 - 10:00 am

  The is the most fun car I have owned since my 1980 RX7, but this car befits a middle-aged man with mostly grown kids who still wants to have fun. The navigation option is pricey but a real treat when needed. The DVDs arent updated often enough, however. My wife enjoys the comfort of the heated leather seats in the winter. Well, so do I. The sportshift is fun and engenders a feeling of control. I hate forced downshifting in certain acceleration situations, and the sportshift addresses that.

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  The Dream Car - 2003 Acura TL
  By Brooke - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have had 2 Acura TLs and they are really one of the best cars. I have had several other cars such as an Audi, BMW and Lexus and I would go for my Acura over my other cars any day. This car has never failed us and really has good pick up and go. It is fun to drive. While the outside look is not the prettiest you sure can make it by adding 2 things...ground effects and a spoiler. It will not make your car look bad. If you wanna see what it looks like with them or have any other questions about this fine call...e-mail me at BRozell822@aol.com Good Luck!