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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  Sporty, fast sports car - 1997 Acura CL
  By Peter - December 10 - 12:07 pm

  The Acura 3.0 CL has everything going for it. It has a 3.0 liter 200 horsepower V6 engine and has many features. Its quick to accelerate and pass even with the standard automatic transmission (only transmission avail. for the 3.0). The interior is luxurious and may remind you of a beefed up Honda Accord. I like how even now, in 2006-2007, I still get compliments telling me how nice my car is, even though it is nearly 10 years old. The styling is hate it or love it and I absolutely love it. It looks contemporary and better than many cars now.

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  Best value - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Roy - December 10 - 9:10 am

  Tested 325, C230, IS 250 and settled on the TSX. The vtec-4 engine is as smooth and strong as the competitors V6 or I6. Handling wise, TSXs FWD gave little away to RWD rivals under regular street driving . While the base prices are in the same range, by the time you spec up to match the TSX (leather, cd changer, xeon, 17" wheel) you are looking at something like $10k higher, so for me it was an easy decision. Only negative I have is with blind spots. The thick front A-pillar, steeply raked windshield, and high trunk lid all make it hard for my wife (54") to drive and park in tight spots. Granted this is not unique to TSX as the IS is as bad if not worse.

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  Outstanding!! by FOB - 2006 Acura MDX
  By Outstanding!! by FOB - December 9 - 8:41 am

  When I decided to buy a mid-size SUV I settled on test driving the RX 350, X5 and MDX. I have owned the MDX for two months now and couldnt be happier with my choice --- performance, interior quality, and comfort are oustanding... all this for $7K less than the closest competitor.

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  2006 RL - 2006 Acura RL
  By ff100 - December 8 - 3:51 pm

  One year so far. I like most of the features, a lot of electronic gadgets ahead of competition.

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  I cannot believe what I am reading - 2003 Acura TL
  By sadhondaowner - December 8 - 10:00 am

  Okay, Honda/Acura has to pay people to put this stuff on here. I HATE THIS CAR and everyone that owns one hates it too. I have found one guy that loves his TL (he had a saturn before). Other than that, its so saddening to see the overall moral of this car is at the dealer. Transmission problem that Acura will not take responsibility for, squeaks beyond imagination, sunroof leaks, bad brakes, Hissing in the AC which is so loud the music will not cover up. OH, its horrible. I dont know how anyone would like this car. I have been a loyal honda owner all my life. I have had nothing but honda. Never again, this is the worst car ever!

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  Worth It - 2007 Acura RL
  By c5028 - December 7 - 7:18 pm

  I drive 120 miles per day R/T from Long Island to New Jersey. About 45 miles is on highways with traffic with about half during high traffic rush hour. Average speed about 40 mph. Gas mileage typically 22-23 mpg. On longer, non traffic trips 26 mpg. Never got less than 19 mpg. Car has 12,000 miles... no defects or repairs. Very comfortable, all the power you need, handles well, nothing to really complain about.

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  Corners like its on rails - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Kelly - December 7 - 7:00 pm

  The TSX is a sweet ride. I was feeling a tad bit old when I started to consider a 4 door sedan... but you cant even tell that it is a 4 door when you are driving it. It hugs the exit ramps so close to the inside line and it is very diificult to lose control of this vehicle. The interior is sporty (I have quartz leather with brushed nickle finish) and easy to maintain. I hate that I have to sell this car to take over a company car - I wont say the name but that, my friends, is a car I guarantee I will notice the four doors.

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  Great car at a great price!!! - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Chris P - December 7 - 12:37 pm

  I looked at every car you could think of in the $20k to $30k range, but in the end, you cannot beat everything you get with this car! This is my first new car in 10 years so even simple things like the 6-cd changer is a big upgrade for me! But you do get a lot of features with this car, a very stylish interior, great MPG, great handling and top notch safety features. All for about $25,000. How can you do better?

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  First Time TL Owner - 2009 Acura TL
  By Randy S - December 5 - 9:36 pm

  Ive owned Hondas in the past and upgraded to the TL. Love the car. Lot of tech w/voice controls, XM radio, etc. Holds the road well, good acceleration and getting 27 mpg on the highway commute with about 600 miles on the car. My only complaint is the seat is very stiff and will probably prove tiring on a long trip.

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  Great Car - 2006 Acura TL
  By great car - December 5 - 6:47 pm

  Have been a loyal Honda owner for over 7 years but wanted to move to something with some luxury and went to test drive a Acura TL. Found it to be a well-engineered vehicle will continue to purchase acura cars.