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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  excelent car - 2002 Acura RSX
  By andu - June 19 - 10:00 am

  this is a great performance coupe under 25000. specialy if you are a honda/acura fan and you are willing to have some fun with your car.

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  I Love My MDX - 2004 Acura MDX
  By lvernacc - June 18 - 7:22 pm

  I purchased my MDX a year ago after researching and test driving all comparable SUVs. I chose the MDX for the roominess, feel and gas mileage. By far this vehicle handles better than any other in its class. There is plenty of leg room in all three rows and comes standard with front and side airbags. I would recommend this car to everyone. It comes in handy for traveling with children and teenagers.

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  Type-S is the only way to go! - 2005 Acura RSX
  By K Bennion - June 18 - 3:47 pm

  Best Car for the price, Reliable, fast, safe, good room, and mileage!

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  Perfect, but no Hybrid - 2004 Acura MDX
  By TJP - June 16 - 4:07 pm

  Were had our Premium model for almost a year, and weve thoroughly enjoyed it to date. No problems, as youd expect from a Honda product, excellent comfort and room, and decent power. Fuel economy never has been above 19 mpg, however, despite highway only jaunts. Admittedly, these have been at high speeds (75-80 mph), at which drag would be substantial for a vehicle this size. If we wanted maximum fuel economy, wed have gotten a Jetta diesel with a trailer for our stuff. For our needs, the MDX has been perfect

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  Excellent Car! - 1997 Acura CL
  By Acura Lover - June 16 - 3:56 pm

  This is the perfect alternative to a BMW 3 series...in price and performance...I bought this car in November 2004 and have put 6000 trouble- free miles on it...I bought the car with a very low 43,213 miles on it which attracted me. I looked at the car and it was the perfect color inside/out (Gray Leather/Silver). What pleases me is the heated seats, excellent Bose CD system, Leather and comfortable seats. The automatic climate control is efficient and works properly. Performance is a huge plus in this car. There is a 3.0 liter engine under the hood and the dual pipes out of the rear end complement its 200 horses.

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  Love it - 2005 Acura RSX
  By rattler - June 16 - 3:43 pm

  I bought mine a month ago, and its been a blast. The car rides great for a smaller vehicle. THe interior is quiet, the bose sound system sounds almost perfect. The seats are comfy and the trunk has plenty of room. This car is fast and fun to drive to work. I spend about 2 hours a day in my car and this makes driving something to look forward to. Test drive it and find out for yourself.

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  Great Car - 1997 Acura Integra
  By dragontegz - June 16 - 2:34 pm

  This is an awesome car. It does everything that its supposed to do.

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  WHAT A CAR! - 1994 Acura Integra
  By JOE - June 16 - 12:43 am

  I love my Acura. It never failed me when it came to any problems. IÂ’ve had it since 96 and it was worth every penny. The best car I ever had.

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  at 112k miles-no oil use between changes - 1995 Acura Integra
  By mike - June 15 - 11:22 pm

  This car cost very little to maintain, oil changes every 4000 miles (no oil added between changes) brakes twice on front, just changed rear at 112000 and they could of went another 20000 miles. Changed timming belt and water pump at 115000, belt had NO wear at all, changed the water pump just because it was exposed with the belt change. Used Honda parts (want to run another 115000 miles) 1st. set of tires went 75000 miles, bought Continental tires for second set and they still have a lot of tread left.

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  92 4DR LS - 1992 Acura Legend
  By CB - June 15 - 3:34 pm

  Third owner, bought it at 204K now at 230K always has had most of its dealer suggested maint, but given age has had some issues, mostly my fault, but otherwise I think Ive only put in a CV axle, plus the usual: brakes, tires, battery. Bose system nice while it lasts, but then replace it or buy your parts on ebay. Power antenna cant handle northern winters (salt/ice), tho its weight is helpful when its slippery. Performance: good acceleration (tires like to bark), body roll happens easily to a point, but then the car just doesnt really go much further than that even if you turn harder. Brakes are decent, mine fade at the moment, but pads are very low.