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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  Too many problems in 1 year - 2012 Acura TL
  By kway - February 13 - 2:58 pm

  During the year I have had this car, I have had to have the battery, navigation system, stability, push ignition, and a bearing replaced. Acuras response, there is nothing they can do. This is not what I expected from a brand new car. Additionally, the car does not sense when my mom is in the passenger seat. She weighs 130 lbs. this is a big safety concern. I would not Uyi this car!!!

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  Is Acuras Brand Value Declining? - 2013 Acura RDX
  By barbieroads - December 28 - 7:26 am

  If you enjoy a ride that resembles rocking about in an earthquake or jerking your way through an amusement park ride then the 2013 Acura RDX will bring you joy otherwise, steer clear. The ride experience in this small SUV category is disappointingly uncomfortable and requires full attention from the driver in an effort to keep the vehicle in the lane. This ride is as far from relaxing as any ride could possibly get these days. Acura, youve failed me.

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  Stay away from Acura - 2013 Acura TL
  By pasulaka - November 17 - 11:06 pm

  Acura has set new standards for using poor quality materials. My dashboard developed several large cracks after just a few days parked in my parking lot at work this summer in North Carolina. (Other than work, the car is always garaged.) The dealership claims it cracked due to maintenance(!) I own 4 other cars ranging from 1974 to 2006 & have never had a cracked dashboard. The TL has more rattles than your average new-born child. The cover over my cup-holder broke after just a few weeks. I truly wish I had bought a Lexus, BMW or Mercedes.

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  Stay away - 2013 Acura RDX
  By dca2013 - November 6 - 8:49 am

  Ive had the Acura for two months and it is not worth the money. I have had several problems with it. I am geting ready to call the dealer again. The ride quality is not up to par for the $37,000- $40,000 car. I completely regret my decision. I am very concerned about the long term durability of this car - which is the main reason I bought it. Cant wait to trade out.

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  Not a luxury car - 2011 Acura MDX
  By sinew23 - August 29 - 1:13 pm

  I leased this car last year because it had the lots of leg room and cargo space and overall seem like a good choice. Unfortunately after driving it for a year, Ive been disappointed numerous times by the way Acura cut corners to save a buck. It just doesnt feel like a luxury car. It basically feels like a Honda. This car is not nearly worth the $50K price tag it touts. To add insult to injury, the sales team at the dealership was horrible. Do not buy your Acura from Hendrick Acura!!! Im so disappointed by this car and the service that Im in the process of transferring my lease. I just cant drive or pay for this car any longer.

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  Awful Voice Dialing Takes the Joy Out. - 2013 Acura RDX
  By roadrunner56 - August 22 - 10:45 am

  My wife and I purchased a 2013 RDX AWD with Tech Package about 3 months ago. Overall impressions of the car are good, but voice dialing is a disaster. Heres a comparison of the steps necessary for pre-2013 v. 2013 voice dialing: Pre-2013 1. Press Call-Pick Up 2. Say name (and dialing initiated immediately). 2013 (per manual) 1. Press Voice Command 2. Say "Dial by Voice Tag" 3. Wait for beep, and Press Voice Command 4. Say name. 5. Wait for system to repeat name back and beep. 6. Press Voice Command 7. Say "Dial." Not only is the new approach slow and frustrating, in my view its downright dangerous since it lengthens substantially the interval when the driver is distracted

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  Too small and weak - 2010 Acura TSX
  By ultrarunner100 - August 20 - 11:34 pm

  Power doesnt come in until 4500rpm, usually shifts before that point. Manual mode ups the fun factor a bit. Steering is very light but precise. Handling is good overall. Definitely get the v6. Smaller car inside, especially if youre tall or plan to carry a few passengers. Takes premium gas.

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  Thinking of an 03 Acura MDX? Run Away!!!!!! - 2003 Acura MDX
  By mvegastar - February 21 - 2:17 pm

  My husband and I have owned a lot of different makes and models in our time, but we have had the WORST experience with our 03 Acura MDX. We are the 2nd owner of the car, clean carfax report, bought it with 48K miles. Owing it less than 4 yrs, not including regular maint such as oil changes, brakes and tires, we have spent over $15k on repairs! Two transmissions, a motor, a paint job and breaking down on vacations twice to name some if it! This car has been a nightmare and Acura could care less since we bought it used. When reading other reviews, the transmission is clearly a problem, but has there been a recall? Nope. I hope sharing our experience will help others avoid the same pain

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  The Worst Car ever - 2011 Acura TSX
  By tomsjay - September 15 - 8:32 pm

  Bought this car by its look and size. Its a rolling metal slab. Automobile companies get rid of the creature comfort for the so called sport . coarse engine. suspension with zero travell. i should have listened to some warnings about this. cant stand the road noise. You can see the whole car shakes around you when it hits a bump like a slab. I get car sickness. abrupt and floaty acceleration. 2010 model was little better. Heavy car with poor suspension makes it worse, Any way why write more. a piece of non human inhabitable metal junk. cant even hold a coffee. Buy a basic car to drive happy and live comfortably. Leave all the these sport sedan hype...my money is lost.

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  Acura MDX - Transmission ISSUES - BEWARE!!! - 2001 Acura MDX
  By acura_issues - September 12 - 9:41 pm

  I used to be a fan of Acura until I purchased an Acura MDX and ran into ALL KINDS of Power Transmission issues. Im not the type of person who is a "complainer", but believe me when I tell you that Acura is having all kinds of issues with the torque converters on their transmission. Most of the time, the issues show up right after the warranty. The dealership (McGrath Acura) will give you the run around and have you contact the Acura Customer Care 1-800 #. Once you do that, if you complain loud enough they will assign you to a District Manager who will do absolutely nothing to satisfy you. If youre smart, do a simple Google Search on Acura transmission issues and see what comes up. You will be amazed by the number of complaints that loyal Acura customers have regarding Transimission issues