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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  2006 Acura RSX - 2006 Acura RSX
  By jules88 - April 23 - 10:55 pm

  Ive had this car for a little more than half a year and I love it. Its fun to drive, it looks hot, and has great acceleration. I wish I got it manual, though, and in black (too hot in miami). It is a bit expensive, but it has great resale value, so Im not complaining. I love that its small and compact. And I love how guys wanna race me but then when they see Im a girl, go away. =P Leather is comfy and remains so even after 5 hours of driving. I changed my rearview mirror ... its a lot wider and I can see EVERYTHING.

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  Well rounded value - 2004 Acura TL
  By Dwight - April 23 - 2:58 pm

  Bought used with 43,000 miles. Have put on 20,000 since then. Reliability has been perfect. Nearly every conceivable feature. Strong, quiet engine, good brakes, firm but not quite too harsh handling. Perfect balance of sports car and luxury car. Very little road noise at 80 mph. I get 30 MPG on highway at 80 mph and regular unleaded. All interior parts have a quality touch with exception of the seat leather. A few more interior noises than Id expect, but most have been fixable. $299 TomTom One GPS fits perfectly radio/climate screen without covering radio or drivers climate info. Why pay $2,000? I still like the G35, but the TL beats it in too many areas important to me.

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  Best of the Best - 2006 Acura TL
  By Sam and Paula - April 23 - 12:40 am

  This is our second TL and we have a bias for Honda/Acura and the TL in particular. Few other automobiles have the mix of luxury, quality, performance, value and style. The exterior of the car is distinctive with crisp body lines that create interesting shadow and shape covered in a flawless paint finish. Inside the 06 TL you find nothing less than top of the line leather seating, fine carpet and details you would only expect in a much more expensive German sedan. The ergonomics of the interior are excellent and seats are supportive. Power and handling of the car are excellent and above the rest of the class save for the BMW 330 with which the TL competes. The car is Best of the Best.

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  dont believe the bad reviews - 2004 Acura TL
  By care2 - April 22 - 3:43 am

  I have owned this car for 8 months now and love it. Being a previous BMW owner 3xs over, this car far exceeded my expectations. I travel a lot and have 9,000 miles on it now, no rattles what so ever. Interior is excellent, I keep the leather seats conditioned and mine look like new, no wear showing. Ride is smooth. Steering can take some getting use to from fast launches, but I live in the midwest, so Ill live with it since front wheel drive is a must to get around. Exterior is a definite eye catcher.

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  Satisfied Owner - 2005 Acura TL
  By Gary Matlin - April 21 - 6:40 am

  This car has performed flawlessly. I have had zero maintenance problems and it handles like a sports car. Extremely comfortable and very solid on the road. Wind noise is a bit annoying, low end torque could be better and I have had a break squeal on application that the dealer has never been able to correct. I put on almost 1000 miles a week of high speed mileage with no induced driver fatigue. I also own a 3 Series BMW but like the Acura better.

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  Traded a TL for a TSX - 2007 Acura TSX
  By Matthew Everett - April 20 - 2:02 pm

  I traded my 06 TL for the more attractive looking TSX and am happy I did. The TSX has everything I liked about the TL, and more importantly, it doesnt have the things I didnt like about the TL. It is quicker off the mark, handles better, better mileage (not by much though), and it was made in Japan. I really hated the mapholders on the TL, but they are gone (sort of) in the TSX. Also the rear end of the TSX is much more attractive.The TL was of course quieter, but I am always playing something in the audio system, which actually sounds better in the TSX than the TL. All in all I am happier with the TSX than the TL. Be sure to test drive both.

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  Once to get in, you will never get out! - 2007 Acura RDX
  By Sutter A. - April 20 - 1:24 am

  Really, this SUV is just too cool. Buy it with the tech package. Its rival crossovers (I test drove Mazda CX7, BMW X3, Ford Fusion, GMC Arcadia) totally pale in comparison. This SUV is both performance-rich and super techy. Beware! With the sport suspension and handling, it does not drive like an old mans Cadillac. Turbo kicks in real nice. Even the base version is fully loaded - moon roof, leather, etc. For an equivalent version, other luxury brands charge you a fortune. Nobody else offers all these features in one car, and for the price. Overall, its the best "bang for the buck" in its category. Good job Acura!

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  Dont be fooled - 2007 Acura MDX
  By sean - April 19 - 8:22 pm

  This is be our third Acura MDX and they have messed up a great vehicle. From what used to be smooth revving motor we now have the refinement of a mid 80s buick 3.8v6 and I am being generous. Yes the car can handle but at a price of crappy ride quality, the comfort level on the sport suspension is like driving a pogo stick and the sport setting is ok as long as the road is smooth. Interior fit and finish looks to be GM level, the exterior fit of various bits is not up to current detroit levels. The steeering wheel is asinine with lumpy bits here and there to grab and the bottom of the triangle means there is nowhere to hold when turning a corner. If I could return it I would.

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  Road Noise - 2005 Acura TL
  By Dave - April 19 - 6:17 pm

  My wife has had 3 Acuras and been pleased with all of them but the 2005 TL. This car has too much road noise we cant hear the radio or conversations in the car. Needless to say this car is being traded in.

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  Great drivers SUV - 2007 Acura MDX
  By consultauto - April 18 - 5:58 pm

  Traded in our 06 honda Pilot for an 07 MDX, the difference between the two was obvious from the moment you drive off. The MDX feels planted on the road with minimal roll, good acceleration. Im very pleased with my purchase and feel that it was a definitive upgrade from the Honda Pilot.