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:

• 

  excellent SUV from Acura! - 2003 Acura MDX
  By frankyy - March 13 - 2:00 am

  I have driven my MDX (03) for 10 days. Its good timing as we have had lots of snow and rain in past 2 weeks. MDX handles the snow and rain very well. Good performance and smooth handling. You dony have to take my words here. But just test drive all suvs in the MDX class (X5/ML320/RX300 etc). You would like the MDX!

• 

  Best car I have ever owned !!! - 1994 Acura Legend
  By Kelly Wood - March 12 - 11:16 pm

  I love it. It handles great, will do 140 mph andget 23 mpg on the highway. I sell new cars. There is none on the lot that comes close to this car. I would have to buy a new Caddie STS to get close. Being it is 11 years old and still has its looks, it will be hard to replace.

• 

  Best in Overall Quality - 1994 Acura Integra
  By Drew - March 12 - 1:47 pm

  One word Performance. Vtech is awesome, great performance with even better mpg I average 32MPG a tank. I am the second owner and I bought it with 123,000 on it. I have had no mechanical problems even at 128,000. I highly recommend it for anyone except for families of 4 or more its maybe a little tight in the back seat. The car is awesome on the highway although the road noise is sometimes a little more than to be desired. I believe this is the best car I have owned. I look foward to buying a newer 2001 version of this car or a 2005 RSX Type -S, but I wont have to do this this for awhile while these cars last for ever and so do their resale values. Dont miss out on this Acura!

• 

  97 RL - 1997 Acura RL
  By LoveMy RL - March 12 - 3:04 am

  Bought the car with 80k, it now has 180k. What a car! Nothing similar in looks, quality, or drive. Quality all-over. Love this car, will probably buy a newer one. No major troubles after 180k. Interior is spaceous, great car. Cant say enough about it. Two items on wish list though, bigger engine, whats up with the EGR ports? Cleaning them evey 20k, what are they? Is it the lower gas quality? other then that, this car drives like a thoroughbred horse. Only suggestion to you--- buy one.

• 

  Great Overall Car - 1990 Acura Legend
  By Melissa - March 11 - 10:53 pm

  I bought my Acura when I decided to go back to school and didnt want a car payment. I bought it outright from the dealer and have to say Ive never been disappointed! For a 15 yr old car, it handles well, accelerates quickly, is good on gas, requires little maintenance (mostly wear and tear stuff) and looks brand new after a wash and wax! Out of all the cars Ive owned, this surprisingly is one of my favorites (and Ive had quite a few!) I was thinking of selling and buying a new car, but its hard to part with something so comfortable and reliable that still looks so good. For a car that I bought on a whim, Ive been pleasantly surprised at what a great value it has been...

• 

  None better than the Integra - 1994 Acura Integra
  By SPEEDY - March 11 - 4:42 pm

  The best car Ive ever owned. 30 mpg average on the highway 24 avg on the road.(and thats 2000 ft above sea level. It would be 2 mpg better at sea level.) Great utility with the hatchback. I can haul almost anything. 0-60 in high 6s quarter mile low 15s. Add intake, header, and exhaust it drops to 14.9 quarter with good driving skill -at SEA LEVEL. 15.4 at 2000 ft. No car has better value and performance for the money. Reliability.... this car will do over 300,000 miles. radiator leak at 60 k, timing belt water pump at 110,000 plus. Timing belt usually fine, but keep eye on water pump. I own a 2004 acura TL now and a truck. Have to part with her, but will alway have great mem.

• 

  what more could you ask for? - 2004 Acura RSX
  By turbo911cm - March 9 - 9:29 pm

  After driving an suv for 3 years I decided to enter to sport compact market and I am so glad I choose this car. Working for a car rental company you see a lot of cars and features you like/dislike. I always look forward to driving this car. It begs to be driven hard and performs extremely well (not in snow). I have not gotten bored driving this car and I know it will perform everyday (unlike some cars I rent). I couldnt be more pleased with this purchase.

• 

  Dream Car - 2000 Acura TL
  By Tiffany - March 8 - 9:46 pm

  I have owned many cars, driven many more, and this car has been fantastic. Last year I went looking for a fast sedan without breaking the bank. I tried a few of the competetors cars: Maxima, Aurora, etc... I made the mistake of test driving the TL first. The first time I gunned the gas I was in love. I was genuinely impressed. I havent regretted it since. It had a transmission problem that I never noticed, but the dealership had found it when I took it in for a checkup. So, it never has troubled me. I drive about 75 miles a day on a light day, and that car has allowed me to enjoy driving again. Excellent choice for anyone who wants a really dependable fun car.

• 

  old friend - 1990 Acura Legend
  By brycerdd - March 8 - 8:27 pm

  I purchased the 1990 Acura Legend coupe new service has exceeded manufacturers recommendations. This has been the most durable auto I have owned (and that includes some nice cars: Alfa Romeo,BMW, Porsche). One significant repair in 133k (slave cylinder on clutch), even after fairly spirited driving. Strongest points: durability, comfort, quality of design and materials. Weakpoints: acceleration, weight/powerratio, cornering, dealer service costs. Those weaknesses, IMO, do not keep the car from being one I can highly recommend. For what its worth--.

• 

  An Almost Perfect Compromise - 2003 Acura TL
  By Samphire - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Lots of companies make first rate cars as long as they have a clear single function in mind: sports, people mover, luxury. The beauty of the TL and TL type S is that while some other make can do any single thing better, this car is the most well rounded vehicle in its price class, and the price is just about the lowest. It offers just about all the features youre likely to want, with a comfortable rear seat, and the ability to drive country roads without sitting on the brake pedal at every curve. Again, there are plenty of cars that are better at something, but this is about the best overall package on the market.