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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  Best value in its class - 2005 Acura RL
  By RL in Chicago - May 16 - 2:32 pm

  Coming from a 1997 Mercedes E420, the Acura RL is a "downgrade" from a V8, but its an upgrade in every other way. I was sick of the repair bills on the Benz ($500 to fix a outside mirror motor!), and so far, the RL has been without fault. I miss the torque of a V8, but I appreciate the improved fuel-economy, and for 90% of driving, the RL has plenty of power. However, if they had offered a larger version of this car with a V8, I would have bought that. One of the biggest reasons I bought this car is price. I paid $44,100 for it, before taxes, which is a bargin for all the content the RL includes as standard. With the same features, BMW, Mercedes, and even Lexus are much more $$$.

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  New Purchase - 2006 Acura MDX
  By Susan - May 16 - 2:25 pm

  Just purchased my MDX, but am happy thus far. In Austin, I bought it for invoice plus $220 for molding, wood steering wheel, tint, moonroof visor and roof rack. Deals are occuring. Shop around.

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  A Fine SUV, this MDX! - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Gene - May 15 - 5:06 am

  We have a 3 1/2 year, 84000 mile lease on a 2005 MDX, and more than half way through the first year, I am not disappointed. I love how accuras navigation gets me there, even though I do not understand why the "now time traffic conditions" unit found in the RL Sedan is not even an option. But lets not be picky. This SUV is a dream to drive ON the road--I would not go to the beach or offroad with it. If you do not need the biggest SUV on the planet, this will satisfy.

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  Best Value on the Road - 1999 Acura CL
  By Roger - May 14 - 11:33 pm

  I was unemployed when I had to buy a car. For $17K I bought a car with 19K on it, which has leather and heated seats, a spoiler, good acceleration, a moonroof, fantastic reliability, and holds its value. No other car has this combination for that kind of price. To think that I could have bought a new boring Corolla for the same price! Its so reliable that I did waste the extra $800 I paid for an extended warranty. I put in 64K miles on it. Only problem was an alternator that had to be replaced after it suddenly died on me. Not one other thing went bad.

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  The anti-mini van! - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Erica - May 14 - 11:32 pm

  Traded in a 2002 Expedition Eddie Bauer for the brand new 2004 MDX and havent looked back! I am not a believer because I have 3 kids I need to be driving a mini van! We have hauled wood, furniture, and kids stuff with our luxury SUV. I get many great comments about my truck from all ages! I still save money on gas regardless of having to buy premium gas vs. the regular gas my V8 Expedition used. The 5 of us drove to NY from GA and was comfortable the entire trip. As a prior Honda owner, I have always wanted an Acura and am happy I made the decision to buy one. The one regret I have is not getting navigation. My husband now is considering selling his precious Mustang GT convertible for a TL.

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  Too much fun! - 2006 Acura RSX
  By Joe G - May 14 - 8:05 pm

  Until the RSX-S, I was not a fan of 4cyl coupes. This car has changed all that! It is quick, agile, great looking and gets you noticed! The car feels like a much more expensive vehicle and offers just the right amount of ammenities. The hatchback design also makes it very practical, in short, it is a great car to own and drive!

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  Be Forewarned - 2003 Acura RSX
  By Used to Love Acura - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I loved my 1996 Integra. It was comfortable, zippy, and most of all a dependable quality car. I purchased an RSX TypeS to replace the Integra expecting the same quality. Dont assume the Acura name guarantees quality. I know the TypeS suspension is tighter than the Integra, but there is no excuse for the terribly rough ride. Plus, the interior rattles and squeaks override any joy received from driving the sharp little fun car. I have had the struts replaced and three trips to the shop to quiet the rattles. Just been told I need to tear out the transmission to replace gear sensors. Not the best experience for a car I have had a mere six months!

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  Lady Killer - 2003 Acura RSX
  By Dave Ho - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Its all about the pimp factor, girls love this car! Ive never owned a car that gets more comments on its good looks than I do. No other stick shift to compare either. It screams.

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  Stereo and Sound is The Weak Point - 2003 Acura RSX
  By Hectoman1 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I love driving a car that is uncommon. Was going to get a Civic or an Accord like everyone else, but thought I deserved better. This is a fun car. People check it out at the stop lights. Only 3 minor complaints: Stereo, Armrests, and Seat Comfort could be better.

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  TL-S is Hot - 2003 Acura TL
  By TLChris - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I ditched a 2000 Subaru Outback for my 2003 TL Type S. OK - no brainer, of course it is faster and more fun to drive. But before the Subie, I drove a Jaguar XJ6 (a 95 -it was a good one). Of course the TL-S is not as opulent, but it is so quick, nimble, and subtle in its beauty. And the sound system is flawless. The TL-S is a joy to drive. Best of all, it doesnt look like a Subie or spend like a Jag.