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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  Rock Solid - 2001 Acura RL
  By topoff - November 12 - 3:43 pm

  Excellent car - best car for long trips - quiet and easy to drive. Performance is adequate as is the mileage. Zero repairs other than normal oil changes etc. I do my own work and regular maintenance is easy. Deal visit (1-brake flush) was good - price and service. Special note - Acura paint is great it just doesnt get rock chips like other cars I own.

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  The Ultimate Luxury Sport... - 2003 Acura TL
  By SquishRN - November 12 - 10:00 am

  The 03 TL Sport has the power to manuever quickly, yet the grace to provide a smooth ride. The dealers at Acura of Orange Park, FL are true to their word on providing the best pricing.

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  FYI: TSX ROX - 2004 Acura TSX
  By Zeus - November 11 - 10:46 pm

  An awesome auto for those who can transcend the fact that this is a re-skinned, re-badged European Honda Accord. It bests most entry luxury cars in performance and demolishes them with regards to features. A Bimmer, Saab, Merc, or Audi of comparable content puts them way over top as far as price is concerned. (So what if I can afford it, does it compete? This is the argument that put a TSX in my driveway.) Im banking on quality and possible resale as bonus features that off-set the rather non-descript exterior, especially the backside. The interior, conversely, is elegant, intuitive and functional. I feel its the best design in the category regardless of price. TSX=value + function +form.

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  A Definite Chick-Magnet!!! - 2004 Acura TSX
  By cooldogg - November 11 - 8:30 pm

  Whether for young or older drivers, the TSX will fit almost anyone. It has the amenities of a luxury car and the power and styling of a sports car. Take one look and youll be hooked!!!

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  This is my third one - 2004 Acura NSX
  By prdco - November 11 - 12:53 pm

  Excellent performance, quality, and gas mileage...great for either open road or city driving

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  i love this car - 2005 Acura NSX
  By goodbuy - November 10 - 10:46 pm

  this car is a trip what a head turner gets almost 30mpg on the hwy and out performs most anything on the road

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  Naseem 2005 RSX - 2005 Acura RSX
  By Sonricita - November 10 - 6:14 pm

  My car is a week old and I love it. Everyday I look forward to driving my RSX. My son love to go to school in the car. The kids in hes preschool all want touch it. Color Vivid blue Pearl. So plan on caring a towel.

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  No Regrets Here... - 2005 Acura RSX
  By thatslife4ya - November 10 - 12:43 pm

  Ive had this car for nearly a month now and still get a childish grin everytime I get behind the wheel. Everything in this car is seemless, from the interior ergonomics to the powertrain. With gas prices being what they are now, its nice to see 30+ miles to the gallon on the highway. The regeared 6-speed tranny and the 10 extra horsepower make for a very spirited ride. Ive looked down at the speedo more than once and found myself going 90mph, so definitely use the cruise control whenever possible. My only complaint with this car at all is the styling. Acura could definitely go a little more aggressive in that department. Nothing a few aftermarket body parts wont fix. Buy it.

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  driver - 2005 Acura RSX
  By izzy218 - November 10 - 11:22 am

  i like evereything about the car except the way u get to the trunk. I have a car system and its to easy for people that steal to get to the back of the trunk.

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  Honda build, Value Leader - 2005 Acura RL
  By j read - November 10 - 6:26 am

  The NEW RL 3.5 is a HUGE move in the right direction for Hondas premium line. When considering an E-350 M/B4-Matic, or the BMW-530, the RLs build and content wins, hands down. This car was a BEAR in the 10" snow we had in January. Who needs a gasguzzling SUV, when you can have this much performance and luxury for around 50 large. Sure it doesnt have the cachet that its German rivals have, but then again it doesnt have their "problems" either! For me, its not ALL about bang for thebuck, its about performance, quality,and luxury. To my mind the 05 RL 3.5 has it all. Did I mention "Japanese Build Quality" ??