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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  RL the new "Legend" - 2005 Acura RL
  By Terry Hemeyer - March 17 - 8:50 pm

  Ive been waiting for this car. I traded in my 94 Legend and couldnt be happier. My only wish is that they rename it and bring back the "Legend" name. Ive always liked the "no add ons" "all included" aspects of the RL. It drives great with more power than I need. Im still learning all the new high tech aspects and it is a challenge to not be distracted by the technology (messages, voice commands, etc) while driving. Since there arent a lot of new RLs on the road yet I get quite a lot of attention and questions from interested people. All are impressed with its looks. I also drive an X5. The X5 is great for a weekly commute I do (523 miles) because its higher and I feel safer in it.

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  I love it! - 2007 Acura TSX
  By Shanny - March 17 - 6:12 pm

  Awesome ratings. Take it for a test drive and yup, its sold. This unique car supports that Acura has high standards. This car is superb to none other! The VSA (stability) is awesome. The Navi system is a must for the price. Dont just look, DRIVE it. I enjoy that my husband talked me into this vehicle. I dont want to get out of it when I pull up to my house. I have never been so happy with a material item but I am smiling even when I am sleeping. :) When the voice command talks, she seems to be smarter than I am. So now I have some competition. I think I might have to name her. Also,If I get mad at her, I can change her to a man voice and name him Enrique or Juan.

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  Love the TSX - 2007 Acura TSX
  By MinnesotaDriver - March 17 - 12:30 pm

  This vehicle is so much fun to drive. It is solidly built, has plenty of pep, handles like a dream. I understand the exterior will be changed in 2008, but I find the 2007 to have a classic, clean design. The interior hugs you, the drivers seat is very comfortable, no back-aches here. Its an Acura, so everything is ergonomically and stylishly designed. I just attended the 2007 Auto Show, and couldnt find a vehicle I liked better, even in the higher price ranges. I recommmend this car whole-heartedly.

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  Intelligent design! - 2002 Acura TL
  By dunlopilo - March 17 - 11:57 am

  The more I drive this the more I appreciate it. A very undervalued, underestimated car. Got it second hand and there is nothing I dont like, except fuel consumption in urban cycle. Powerful engine (feels like theres a turbo) that will have everyone in rear mirror in flash. Car is firm enough but also smooth when driving (you dont spend half of the time between seats and roof in bumpy areas). Ive driven Opel, VW, Peugeot, Honda, Citroen, Seat, Volvo, Nissan, Pontiac, Ford. None are a match to my TL. It is full of details without excessive electronics (fewer dealership visits). Tranny fine (for now). Nothing to envy to a Mercedes or BMW or Audi from the same segment. Its that simple.

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  RL - 2007 Acura RL
  By Ray T - March 16 - 9:56 am

  The RL has been everything it was made out to be. Interior styling is excellent and instruments easy to see and use. Exterior is sleek with the exception of the standard wheels, kind of boring. The upgrade they offer cost $3000 and you have to go to 18" rims. Only knock I have.

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  Best sporty sedan for the price - 2001 Acura Integra
  By Lee - March 15 - 1:03 pm

  If you or your passengers are large, this car is probably not for you. Otherwise, the car is awesome. The car is solid and nothing seems out of place in not only design but also responsiveness and mechanical consistency.

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  Great Car - 2003 Acura TL
  By TL Fan - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This car is one of the best I have ever owned. It is fun to drive and nice trunk room.The Bose radio has great sound.

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  Fun on wheels - 2007 Acura RDX
  By Toms RDX - March 14 - 4:47 am

  Love this SUV/Car. Technology packed in the car for the price is outstanding. Stereo is best Ive ever heard in a car. Incredible handling in the snow. 4000+ miles now, and each mile makes me happier I purchased the RDX. Drives like a sports car, without the cramped seats and crappy ride.

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  The Only Car You Need - 2004 Acura TSX
  By Gotta_Shift_It - March 13 - 11:42 pm

  I needed a serious driving machine that could also take the wife and kids everywhere. The engine sounds exotic at WOT. The six-speed manual is the only way to "talk" to this car. What really endears me to the TSX is that it can be so much fun when Im driving solo, but can also be the trusty and protective car when hauling the family. Its good on gas, mechanically dependable, exhilirating to drive, fun to drive slow, has all the safety stuff, and big enough for a family of four. The TSX made ownership fun again after a disastrous and trouble-plagued 2 years with a 2002 Audi A4... blap!

• 

  Best Looking Sedan with the price - 2008 Acura TL
  By TL Fan - March 13 - 7:33 pm

  I only have less than 600 miles on my 2008 TL and I hate to leave the car alone. It is so much fun to drive this car. Like its name TL (Touring Luxury), you would love to drive the sporty sedan with its build in luxury experience that put you right in the driving mode (not commute mode). Unlike Lexus, Acura TL and BMW series give you the communication with the dirt on the road. If you like to drive on the air (like Toyota with small wheels and big rubber tire), TL is not for you. It is always a hardship to blend luxury with sporty features. Acura TL seamlessly combined them.