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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  Great space - 2003 Acura MDX
  By phild_mason - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I decided to eat my words and buy an SUV. The kids are getting bigger and the space will be handy. Typical Acura, simple and functional. Performance is good. Cruising is smooth and quiet for an SUV

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  I love this car! - 2005 Acura NSX
  By eyez2glow - October 2 - 2:00 am

  There are some things worth sacrificing for. At a larger payment than my home, its worth it, and I feel great in it. ITs safe, handles excellllllllently, even with my speed heavy foot!

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  acura - 2004 Acura RL
  By RODGERIC - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I have own two acura cars.when i buy again it will be three.I LOVE THESE CARS.MY LEXUS IS NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!!!

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  Gerry 1 - 2004 Acura MDX
  By brnpoodle - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I drove the MDX to Loas Angeles a week after purchase. Mileage was 24 mpg, over rated amount. Performance was much better than my previous SUV. Actually recieved higher mileage than any tank in prior SUV and longer range than prior vehicle.

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  Great Car - 1991 Acura Legend
  By wolfpack770 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Inherited this car from my father, who has owned an 86 legend, a 92 four door legend, this 91 coupe, and a 2003 RL. I think he still misses this car, even though his RL is nice. Still get comments from people at stoplights, gas stations, etc. I cant think of another 1991 that would still make heads turn. Drives great, reliable, fast enough, wonderful car. Ive been saying for years they should have continued making these.

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  Great Car of the Money - 2001 Acura TL
  By DCooper - October 1 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Acura product. My wife had a 1996 Honda Accord EXL and a 2000 AccordEX V6 which we like. However, my TL is a far better car in appearance and ride. With the price adjustment down in 1999 by $4k, I decided to get the TL in 12/2000. I just turned over 50,000 miles this week so I am out of warranty but I believe the quality is there to keep the car for another 3 years. I have enjoyed my TL and while it is paid off, I do not plan to replace it any time soon. I am not impressed with the style of the new 2004 TL. I would recommend the TL as a good use car buy if the car has been well maintained and the mileage is under 60,000 miles.

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  Great Ride - 2004 Acura RSX
  By YurAvgJoe - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I looked at cars in this class for six months before making my final decision with the Type S. This is a race car waiting to drive. Im constantly looking for reasons to take this thing down the block. Smooth ride, powerful sound when you start the engine, and all the power you need under the hood. The acceleration will put you back in your fine leather seats.

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  whoopee - 2004 Acura MDX
  By bob gillette - October 1 - 2:00 am

  have two mdxs, best road vehicle ever, also have honda s2000. thank you honda

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  Great Car and truck - 2004 Acura MDX
  By reineerbrad - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Very car-like ride. This SUV is a fun to drive alternative for us fathers that need to drive a mini-van but dont want to be seen in one then you have AWD to boot! Once inside you forget you are driving a large vehicle and you feel like you can disolve the road ahead with its handling and comfort. Great curves, handling, room, with a shape to match. Even has pleanty of room for our large dog.

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  Like flying low - 2004 Acura TL
  By Ted the retired guy - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Have driven my new 2004 Acura TL for 6 weeks now and have experienced more driving pleasure than I did with my 2000 BMW 323 in four years.