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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  All Around Great Car, High Reliability - 2006 Acura TSX
  By HSJIII - November 27 - 2:00 am

  TSX is the best all around value in the entry level luxury segment or maybe in any segment. After 21,000 miles in one year and 49,500 total there is not a squeak or rattle. I average 31-33 mpg highway w/ Mobil 1 synthetic oil. Service cost is low especially if you change filters yourself (simple). Road noise is muted. Super quiet engine. Headlights are very bright with wide illumination. Low insurance costs. This is my second TSX.

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  Nissan Sales Manager Hung Up On the MDX - 2011 Acura MDX
  By Jeff L. - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I have been in the auto industry for 14 years and have owned over 50 vehicles and now with 3 little girls of my own I have come to understand the value of space and reliability and the MDX has all of these on its mind! We traded a 2010 Honda Odyssey in becuase if the overall minivan depression most parents feel when the switch is made and this car not only does it all but easily fits 2 car seats and a booster. The controlls are easy to manage and the MDX drives like a sports car. I am an Acura fan and this car is no disappointment if you have the means do yourself a favotr and get one!

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  Will miss it - 2008 Acura TL
  By fav920 - November 26 - 2:00 am

  My lease is ending after 3yrs of ownership and I am sorry to see it go. I have considered buying it out, but I will be out of warranty. I have been searching for a CPO with low miles to purchase. I did not have ONE bad experience with this car, and although the new style is growing on me, the 08 is much nicer. Great looking, sporty driving, and 50,000 miles without having to replace brakes and/or tires! Thanks, Acura...

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  1995 SE Acura Integra - 1995 Acura Integra
  By SS - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Im the original owner, and I love, love, love my car. I have 122,950 miles on it, and its running as well as the first day. Its a stick shift, which I think is the best way to drive. Ive always followed the maintenance requirements -and some extra maintenance considering it was stolen - twice! They wanted the leather seats and middle console. Even so, I was so happy to get it back somewhat intact. The last theft was 7 years ago (yes, I moved). I have never had any mechanical problems with this car. Well, thats not exactly true, my antenna has recently gotten stuck in the UP position. They say I need a new motor - $500! Anyway, still a happy owner...15+ years.

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  Great Vehicle - 2011 Acura RDX
  By Bert - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Excellent service and thorough sales expertise and follow-up. Bob, (internet sales) at Clinton Acura, is an excellent sales person, who takes the time to explain all the features of the vehicle and provided full support throught he sales and after- sales process. The RDX is a great vehicle and performs well on the road. Great pick-up and handling for an SUV.

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  Acura RL Luxury with Technology - 2010 Acura RL
  By Alden - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased the Acura 2010 RL with the Technology Package. I am extremely pleased with this decision. In my opinion, it is a true luxury car with great agility, plenty of power, fun to drive, and many extras that exceed expectations. The wood and leather steering wheel, blue highlighted instrument panel, cool and heated ventilated seats, voice commands to control almost every interior function with the option of easily making manual choices, a very high tech navigation system, and very comfortable seats with a lot of leg, shoulder, and head room. For the money, it is the best luxury car on the market.

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  best crossover Ive owned - 2011 Acura RDX
  By h.mason - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd suv, Ive had a Morono and a Pathfinder. The power is great handling is carlike.I cant believe this 4 banger be so quite.Gas mileage is poor and high test are the only drawbacks.

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  The test of time - 1994 Acura Integra
  By Brian - November 20 - 2:00 am

  bought this car with 66K miles on it it was owned by a family member who took care of it. I have taken care of it and have driven it hard many many time i have strapped kayaks on top (three) and have trailered as many as 10...people laugh at me when i show up with this car laden with boats...but it has stood-up. This sets the bar for reliability for all other cars. With 147K miles on it, i have bought another car for replacement...but think i will hang on to it yet for the sheer fun of driving it. They just dont make them like this anymore

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  99 LS - 1999 Acura Integra
  By M2carlover - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1999. Its the best car Ive ever owned! Ive had it 11 years, it has 90,000 miles and knock on wood - keeps on running!

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  Best Sport Compact Car in its Class - 2003 Acura RSX
  By JayJayPG - November 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 03 Type S for over 6 years and will most likely be keeping this car for another 6+ years. It really is the best all around FWD sport compact car out there. I always get complements on its appearance due to the A-Spec package mine was installed with from the factory (body kit, rear wing, aluminum shift knob, sport suspension, 17" wheels). I have never had a major mechanical problem with this car and it still drives like it did 6 years/50,000 miles ago. The only issue I have ever had with my RSX- S is a squeaky/notchy clutch pedal (which is easily remedied by spraying white lithium grease on the master cylinder pushrod).