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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  I stopped shopping when I drove the TL! - 2005 Acura TL
  By 1st time Acura owner - March 3 - 1:43 pm

  I spent months searching reviews of hundreds of cars. I looked at the Infiniti G35 and the BMW 3 series. Once I drove the Acura TL and saw the luxury features firsthand, I was sold!

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  Bobs Review - 2005 Acura RL
  By bob - March 3 - 11:00 am

  Great car, have done a couple of trips to Fla from Il and no issues. Used nav all the way and do so frequently. Zero problems with the car and abot 22-25 mpg depending on my habits. Will buy another.

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  Great Vehicle, needs updating - 2006 Acura MDX
  By espoe - March 2 - 9:46 pm

  This is my first SUV and I went into one kicking and screaming. But the need for a 3rd row of seats put me out of my long cherished German cars. I compared this Nissans entire line, Ford Freestyle, Pacifica, Higlander Hybrid, you name it. I had narrowed it down to the MDX and the Highlander Hybrid. Highlander was nice but felt less substantial and a lot more plasticky. When I drove the MDX it was clearly different than the rest. The quality just made itself evident in the way the dealer handled the transaction, the silky smooth drive train, quiet, comfortable, full time 4wd, warranty and the rest of the ride made it a simple choice. Fuel economy is Ok. Needs Premium, ouch!!

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  Needs more - 2006 Acura RSX
  By Jenn - March 2 - 6:52 pm

  Looks great, very reliable, but for the money, this car needs MORE! I feel like I bought a hot car with stripped down basic features, but paid a lot because of the name Acura. And, geez, this car has no pick up whatsoever! I hit the gas and nothing!

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  Great Car - 1995 Acura Integra
  By me - March 2 - 6:05 pm

  I have been driving a 1991 civic for the past year, and i hated it. i just upgraded to an integra and it is absolutly amazing. the car is faster, looks and sounds better, and has gotten me alot of credibility. extremly mod-able, i have put an intake in it, a performance muffler, and new wheels/performance tires and havent had any problems with any of that. i also had it painted and got those cool coloured acura emblems. it looks great and im in love with it.

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  Awesome - 2005 Acura TL
  By pepboys856 - March 2 - 1:23 pm

  Performance is unbelievable. style, luxurious, sporty all in one. Great vehicle. Highly recommended

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  WOW.....Great - 2003 Acura TL
  By Blake & Hollister - March 2 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Acura, but certainly not my last. Wonderful automobile. Comfortable, fun to drive and very responsive. The 3.2 engine is powerful and yet quiet. Certainly did not need the larger "S" engine. So far gas milage has been very good. Need another car in June and would love to get another Acura.....might try the RL this time. One test drive and youll agree.

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  Typical Acura Quality - 2006 Acura MDX
  By carolinaeagle - March 1 - 9:38 pm

  3rd Acura owned - and there is just something about the fit/finish to an Acura that stands out. Love the performance and handling of the MDX - drives better than a lot of sedans. Interior design/layout is perfect. Love the quality that you see everywhere. Sage brush pearl is an awesome color.

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  What a truck!!! - 2006 Acura MDX
  By happyMDXowner - March 1 - 9:03 pm

  I was in love with MDX since it come out in 99 and finally have one on my driveway. It proved everything I have expected and more. Very nice size, plenty of guts and excelent quality. Dealer was great too. Wife loves it too and it equally comfortable for both of us. Looked at BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus and MDX tops them all in my eyes. Great value, highly recomended for both men and women alike

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  Would suggest to anyone. - 2005 Acura TSX
  By flathismyhero - March 1 - 6:33 pm

  Absolutely wonderful car. I use it as my fun car and drive a 92 cavalier to work. Great for long trips.