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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  another great Acura vehicle - 2006 Acura MDX
  By Acurafan - October 16 - 7:13 am

  I really enjoy this Acura, the seating for 7 is great - can take my kids and their friends out in one vehicle. And can still park in my garage. Ive owned 4 previous Acuras, so Im loyal, but before buying this MDX I considered the competitors. The MDX was the better total package - great balance of sporty features with practicality, Also, its the perfect size allowing for a useful 3rd row (kids).

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  A great car for the money - 2004 Acura TL
  By mytl - October 15 - 8:59 pm

  We have two of these. The first was automatic. The second is a six-speed. The six-speed is performance oriented, and a bit choppy, but fun. The automatic is fantastic. The auto is not as fast, but is much more user friendly. The car has hd and xm stereo with the best sound system in a car. Mileage could be better, but it is a very quick agile car, and hence some sacrifice on mileage. This is a high performance Accord, make no mistake. But, unlike the Accord, its not boring, its fun all the time, and could out-run most cars if you get the jump on them. Easy to get on the freeway and excellent Brembo brakes. However, dealer insisted on new frt brakes at 15k miles for $300+ rip-off.

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  Wonderful Little Car. - 2003 Acura RSX
  By JDA - October 15 - 12:15 pm

  Picked this up used as a 2 year placeholder, and now Im rethinking the decision - in a good way - as in I might keep it longer than I thought. A great car. Excellent mpg, reliable, quick, handles great (for what it is), well-designed, sporty looking, low-emission vehicle. If you fold those back seats down, you can cram a lot of stuff back there. I feel like Im late to the party on this model and now it has been discontinued - what a shame. The only negatives - small back seat, and overall the car is really small and light. I worry about safety, especially when I drive my little girl. In sum: if you like to drive curves fast, but you need a commuter, you will like this car.

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  WOW!! - 2006 Acura TL
  By Ray - October 15 - 8:03 am

  Truly the deal of the year! The TL was recommended and I could tell immediately that based on other evals and recommendations that this was the car to check out. I bought it and love every minute I drive it.

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  My Awesome Black Beauty - 2005 Acura TL
  By A. Vierra - October 14 - 8:43 pm

  I love my TL...Feels great everytime I sit behind the wheel...Love everything about it cept that leather tends to wear out in the area where I get in and out of the car...My Pebl cell phone isnt compatible with car altho its listed as it should be...

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  Great Vehicle for Shopping & Road Trips - 2006 Acura MDX
  By L Tunner - October 14 - 8:16 pm

  This is the second MDX Ive owned, and I love MDXs. Perfect for our active lifestyle..my aunts and cousins call it our touring/shopping/eating machine. Navigation system is great for road trips and seeking out new sites. Comfortably accomodates 5 shopping queens. Large cargo area has carried everything from 5 large dogs..club chairs..bags of mulch..lots of shopping bags. Performance, reliability and safety features are excellent.

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  Best Bang for the Luxury Buck - 2006 Acura TL
  By JR - October 14 - 8:16 am

  I bought the 2006 model as a "left over." Cant wait to drive it every time. Performance is outstanding as is its handling. The interior is roomy and the steering has a very nice feel to it. The car hugs the road, especially around courners. Interior layout is very ergonomic. The quality of the leather is excellent and the body style is very eye-catching.

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  POOR GAS MILEAGE!!!!!! - 2004 Acura MDX
  By FAFORBUSH - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Gas mileage stinks. I am consistently getting only 13 miles to the gallon around town and 20 on a trip.. This is not what the window sticker says. Taking in for service but have been told probably nothing they can do. Was told at first well maybe it will get better as it gets broken in...What is wrong with this???? It is not like I have a lead foot or drive wrecklessly!!! I go so slow now to help the mileage that my kids comment on how slow I drive. I use the most expensive gas in this car and nothing is making a difference

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  Zees MDX - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Abryzt - October 14 - 2:00 am

  This SUV handles very well; steers very responsibly. I mightve enjoyed a bucket seat like the Acura TL, but altogether, the MDX indeed is a luxurious SUV.

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  Great car - 2004 Acura TL
  By j scar - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I have german cars-Two (BMW 330 and Audi TT). Alot of german car lovers have an emtional attachment to their cars but if you take the emotion out of it you will soon realize that you are driving one the best cars for the money and that includes performance, style, luxury and driving excitment.