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 SUV IN THE CALSS - 2013 Acura MDX
  By AmithW - November 22 - 7:12 pm

  I always buy less than 2 yr old cars. Due to high mileage driving(25K/yr) I cannot lease. I compared the BMW X5, MDX, Lexus RX 350, and Benz GL class. After loads of research and test driving it was easy to zero in on the final 2 of RX 350 and MDX. MDX won due to following. Exceptional road handling over RX 350. Killer looks to match the Road handling. Excellent acceleration combined with the growl from under the hood makes you feel like a F1 race driver. And finally I only saw 5 star user reviews for MDX. I have now clocked 45000 miles in 2 years. (No major repairs only maintenance so far) Still feel like a kid getting into it every morning. Feels good to drive it knowing it will not fail me and give me the best driving experience. I just returned from the 2016 LA Auto show and realized my MDX is still so very good. I do get 17.5mpg combined. Highly, highly recommend this car. I wish Acura continued with the same or higher powered engines for the 2016 and up models. I strongly feel when ones willing to pocket out $60K price tag 2 or 3 mpg shouldnt be an issue. I shall have mine for 2 more years and hopefully by then Acura will come up with a higher hp MDX...

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  Acura RDX Rules !!!!! - 2015 Acura RDX
  By Stephen Bahsler - November 21 - 8:23 am

  I purchased a 2015 RDX, AWD Technology Package in May 2015. As time goes by I love the car even more. It has a smooth, quiet ride, great handling, excellent performance and great fuel economy (23.5 mpg avg). It also has an excellent sound system. The neighbors must wonder why I dont always get out of the car right away when I get home (because I am still listening to the stereo).

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  great car...very quick - 2012 Acura TL
  By Chris B - November 18 - 5:22 pm

  I love my 2012 acura tl

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  Awesome city to hwy - 1998 Acura Integra
  By Tiana tt - November 18 - 11:35 am

  Freatest Gas Mileage Ever!!!!! A/C is not gas guzzler. Sunroof is perfect on road trips or fresh air and stargazing $20 tank is full! 25city 33hwy Steering and handling very nice and easy Sm size gives agility to freeways and traffic merging, u turns, parking lots and parallel parking. Safe and sturdy in storms and rain. Maintenance and parts easy to order on line at most part stores and Honda compatible . Light v tech engine does not bog down and smooth shifting . Power and torque is solid , more so than 6cl sedans or manual 5 sod. Easier acceleration shifts and on grades, able to pass up American muscle cars and sports cars as trans shift smooth and solid in 3 and 4th gear without losing power on grades, traffic, lanes changes and stop n go traffic. Always a compliment at gas stations or out in public and at mechanic shops and offer ups from all . Very well maintained and experts have same diagnoses, drive train and engine good for at least to 350,000 miles. Plastic and rubber parts did not like desert arid and harsh sun along w extreme element changes . Most newly replaced in last 30,000miles/ 2 yrs 200,900 mile complete overhaul and tune up . Smooth quiet engine and tire noise. The year 1998 is Aluminum V tech w Norwegian and Japanese top technology and ingenuity !!!! Automatic w manual technology and power is a collector s classic treasure as in 1998 most cars were 2DSD or 4 DSD and basic R series . GSR manual and LS automatic hatchback coupes are the unique rounded and light body styles that outlast outwit outplay all the best and easily show up top in race! My favorite commute game to work? Live GTA 5 . When that bumped up V8 revs and downshifts to show off and yet as the easy shifts w Acura 1998 LS 3dr automatic there is no downshift as you cruise into acceleration while that V8 you quietly pass and gain in 3rd to 4th to 5th and best of all , you have a full tank of gas not lost to down and upshifting and car weight of large fuel tank and large trunk to length or square angled shape or heavy ride interior heavy engine . Interior fans and A/C keep aluminum v tech engine cool as that is key to this car. Heat on interior fans does overwork engine coolant system . This car is perfect for modern seasonal weather that is above freezing temps and below triple digit heat summer heat waves. to hold acceleration in hwy traffic, lane changes, curves, and hills or grades . This car is my friend and family member. Letting go of Esmerelda is difficult to make a better choice for a expert that has skills and talents and able to troubleshoot and think out of the box and gets the Japanese and Norwegian blend and transition from trusted Honda innovation to all Acura innovation. The best of all Acura years and series and models !!!!!! If you have the passion for a lifetime of a great car and ability and knowledge and mechanical skills to restore and reinvent a perfect combo of daily commute, weekend road trips, and Friday and Saturday nights at track winning the prize money that Acura would pay for itself and bring profit and noteriaty and put underground import racing above American fuel guzzling show offs in their place and maybe start a wave of new Norwegian and Japanese ingenuity to save gas oil pollution without having to power w emectruty as well ( electricity more use and demand is not saving the global warming or the economic drain to society from private owned profit monopolies electric co. INTEGRITY is the best key word of Acura LS 1998 3dr automatic ! No tricks, no gimmicks , no strings No fossil footprint left behind No ego European Anerixan Asian crossover of the best of the best and the best 1998 Classic edition of R series hatchback coupe rounded body style 2 dr and auto has ability to match GSR and step up with the winners club!

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  great car and inexpensive - 2002 Acura RSX
  By stewart reiman - November 15 - 3:36 pm

  t is a sports car, not a family car

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  Smooth Operator - 2015 Acura TLX
  By CKW101 - November 11 - 8:58 am

  Reading some of the negative reviews on edmunds, I was very surprised. My 6-cyl TLX with Tech package is one of the smoothest cars I have ever owned. This is my third Acura (05 RL, 12 TL with SH-AWD) and it is by far the best. Didnt need the SH-AWD in this vehicle, and Ive really enjoyed the precision steering - I dont miss the SH-AWD at all (and my dad has the SH-AWD with Advance Package - also a great car, but more than what I needed). The size is comfortable, the transmission is much much smoother than the 2012 TL I owned, and the interior quality rivals any other Japanese luxury standard. If you are surprised that there is no gearshift, or that the badge doesnt have three letters in it, well seriously: why are you surprised or disappointed? You should know what you are buying: a comfortable and engaging sedan, with plenty of room, and excellent mileage (around 27 mpg in a mixed traffic for me) and the rock-solid reliability that keeps me from considering German competitors. I didnt buy this car to impress anyone I bought it for me - and its been a great choice so far. Changing the selection from Economy to Sport to Sport + is like changing cars. Its all there, with tightened suspension and a completely different feel. I looked at Lexus, and I drive everything in the rental car fleet, but this car is on par with the smoothness and comfort of Lexus sedans (and I really appreciate the luxury feel in the TLX - much much better than the jerky, muscle-car-wannabe transmission in the 12 TL). Yet this car manages to still inspire with engaging driving dynamics and all-around dimensions that add up to a perfect fit for me. Dont expect this car to be another brand, drive it for what it is: a whole lot of car for the money.

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  A German car born in Japan - 2008 Acura TSX
  By Andy - November 10 - 10:25 pm

  What a Car! One of Hondas best!! I purchased a used 08 TSX with over 100k as a daily. Drives better much much then my brand new 2015 Honda accord. This TSX is made in Japan and the new Accord in Ohio, just goes to show the difference in quality. Excellent handling and performance. Its a real drivers car, quality interior not cheap plastics like the new accord. You feel you have the power of a V6 with that Vtec 4 cylinder. I have owned a BMW 3 series, A4, A6 and a C300. But this car is on par with all the other german rivals if not much better definitely then the 3 series e90 I had before the TSX. It handles like a dream and corners just great, even though it is not RWD. It is very very tight on corners! I have driven this up the mountains and on bends and handles perfectly. The reliability is just great as it is a Honda. This engine is bullet proof, one of Hondas best engines. I have seen 250K on these cars and they still drive great. Great Sound system, HID lights and Very comfortable seats! This car is a hidden gem. You hardly see any on the roads, most people dont know about this brand and model that Honda has produced for its europe market but rebranded as Acura for the USA. If you can get a low mileage (100k) with service history BUY IT!! you wont be disappointed as they will go past 250k flawlessly . They Look great and modern and I got a lot of compliments too even though it was a 2008.

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  Acura TL 2008 - 2008 Acura TL
  By Guillermo Ortiz - November 10 - 3:20 pm

  Is An Excellent car cant complain about anything

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  Dont believe what the dealer tells you - 2003 Acura TL
  By Larry Krause - November 5 - 8:45 pm

  Purchased this vehicle used (106K) to replace my aging 99 TL. Dealer told me that the timing belt had recently been changed. At 123K it failed and l had to replace the engine. Vehicle has been great ever since. Replaced shocks and struts last year and it drives like a new car. Giving the car to my son and replacing it with my 5th Acura. A 2016 RDX.

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  A hidden gem. - 2005 Acura RL
  By D del - November 5 - 2:58 pm

  I traded an 05 Lexus GS300 for this car. I found the GS extremely comfortable, quiet, and with solid build quality. But I wouldnt go back to that because it was just a bore to drive. Now to the RL. I could care less that this looks or is often mistaken for a Honda Accord. Ill readily admit Acura doesnt have the prestige factor of a Lexus or Audi, both of which Ive owned. Its not why I buy cars. The RL is really a hidden gem, a sleeper of sorts. It might not look special, it might not be the fastest, most luxurious nor the best driving car. It ccomplishes what I both need and desire in a car - AWD (sh-awd is no gimic, this system should be the AWD standard. Ive owned a few Audis and while Quattro is great in its own right especially in snow, Honda has something great in SH-AWD), reliability, sportier driving dynamics, luxury features, decent style in/out (nothing flashy, not overstyled, something that will age well, which conservative styling typically achieves) And honestly, I think its a great looking car. There are a couple things Id change which I know Acura has in newer models. The 5 speed tranny is slow to shift in manual mode. It also seems more geared toward fuel economy over sport, which Id get but the fuel economy isnt the greatest. There are bigger cars with V8s that get better mileage. I dont like that I have to switch to a different menu to control the climate. The voice commands are helpful but not always practical (like if a passenger is trying to sleep)