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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  Impressive - 2014 Acura MDX
  By joeag8 - July 2 - 11:23 am

  Just purchased the 2014 MDX after driving the 2012 model for the past two years. While I loved my 2012, my only disappointment had to do with the fact that it was a bit long in the tooth. I longed for newer technology, so when the 2014 became available, I jumped on it. Wow, am I glad I did- the improvements to what was an already fantastic vehicle are significant.

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  Sporty and Comfortable - 2014 Acura MDX
  By bluegoldbobcat - July 2 - 9:38 am

  Have put first 650 miles on 2014 MDX AWD Tech...coming from 2010 SRX...lots of fun to drive, seats very comfortable, but, front edge of driver seat wont tilt forward, so it may be tougher for short legs. Acceleration is smooth and steering feel is excellent...drove the RX too but, MDX sportier handling much more fun...very roomy 2nd seat with new push button slide ...cargo area gives me all I need. Having only 2 option packages from Base forces losing desirable options like heated rear seats, folding rear view mirrors, remote start, parking sensors, better insulation, better leather, etc without paying $8K more for Advance pkg and then you get 16.2 in DVD screen, 22.8 mpg on first tank.

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  Front Seat - 2014 Acura MDX
  By heather52 - June 29 - 12:47 pm

  If you are vertically challenged this is not the car for you. I test drove the 2013, seat adjusted fine. The 2014 is a whole different story. The front seat does not adjust to where a more petite person like myself can see adequately to drive it. Something to be aware of. My new suv is now my husbands. When ordering in the 2014 I never thought that this would be a factor.

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  Great for around 40 thousand Canadian - 2013 Acura TL
  By billy84 - June 28 - 1:05 pm

  All wheel drive, manual 6 speed, 305hp, comfort, not a comuter car as far as gas mileage, love it smooth and quiet, great stereo, would be better with 75 more hp.

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  Not worth the cost - 2013 Acura RDX
  By athenaspet - June 27 - 12:53 am

  The vehicle was great on a test drive - until it had to be used for everyday living. It is not built for drivers under 510" or maybe 58". The materials used for the interior are not of luxury vehicle quality. The excessive noise from the brakes and transmission are horrendous. After being looked at twice by the dealership, I was told that these are characteristics of the vehicle. Stay away!

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  Very Nice - 2014 Acura RDX
  By thumper16 - June 21 - 6:51 pm

  Bought this for my wife, she formally owned a 2011 RDX. The 2011 was a choppy ride but a great handler. This is a very different. Its smooth with a more refined feel. Inside seems a little roomier. So far she is loving it. This is our 6th Acura, even so I shopped others and concluded this to be the best $40,000 mid suv out there.

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  Great Car despite the tranny recall - 2003 Acura TL
  By sjonly - June 19 - 10:41 pm

  I bought the car in a dealers auction with 149 k. I learn about the transmissionrecall and was scare when the car would occasionally shake during gear shifting. Took it the dealer and they stated I needed another transmission asap. Went to my local mechanic and he state transmission is good just had a broken motor mount and fluid need to be flush. Car drove good ever since, I love the speed. I pass newer car with ease. I hit 90 on the road easily going to Atlanta. I would definitely buy one again. My car is till operating but I gave it to my girlfriend since she dented the doors and bumper in an accident.

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  Huge Step Backwards - 2014 Acura RLX
  By jimvette - June 19 - 10:13 pm

  I just traded my 2009 RL for a 2014 RLX w Navigation. I cannot get over the step backwards in features and quality. The interior could just as easily be for a Corolla. The Radio is inferior to the standard model in 2009. As best as I can tell the only additional feature on the RLX is the X! After a week, I wish I had just stayed with my 2009. I suggest that you stay away feom any of the RLX models except the Advanced package if you dont mind paying its sky high price. Honda should be ashamed of itself for calling this a luxury car. A loaded Civic would come closer.

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  After almost a year of ownership.... - 2013 Acura RDX
  By wak52 - June 19 - 2:21 pm

  After a year and two road trips, here are my general impressions. Pros: Great mileage (28 mpg on the road), comfortable ride, good acceleration, good audio system, good dash/control layout, great ergonomics. Cons: Interior finish uninspiring, fit and finish from factory not in the same class as other luxury brands, rear hatch can only be opened with dash control after all the doors have been unlocked. Weve had the car in for two fit and finish repairs. It took the dealer three tries to a problem with the front bumper cover coming loose from fender (dealer didnt want to replace broken cover). Then the passenger roof rain gutter molding was loose, causing a horrible vibrating noise.

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  Better than a benz - 2006 Acura TL
  By killajettah - June 11 - 3:33 pm

  I owned a 2006 Mercedes benz c230 and had one prob after the next, engine was very noisy check engine light came on, had bad fuel press reg, and injectors, the abs stopped working, and the trans always got stuck in gear, and this car only had 40000 miles, I traded in on a 2006 acura tl, and this car tops it, it may be kinda noisy but it noo big deal, this is a great car, not as smooth as a benz, but a lower price tag, and easy to get parts on work on, get this car!!!