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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  4 months no issues - 2004 Acura TL
  By NoRespect - January 9 - 10:00 am

  This is my first car in 20 years (all trucks before)I love the acceleration, Interior, sound system (Ill never go back to FM), Gas Milage after 4 months town: 16mpg, HW:28mpg. Rain handling could be better, Houston highways can get pretty deep water. Different tires would help.

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  Great Car, Could Be Better!! - 2004 Acura TL
  By Matthew Moen - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2004 Anthracite TL A-SPEC with navigation system about three weeks ago. It handles very well and is a blast to drive! The interior is a quality seen more in higher end vehicles, excellent layout! Wish the MP3 player option available in the TSX came standard in the TL, after-all, this almost 2005 and lets get rid off the obsolete Tape Deck. I agree with Mr. Milliner though, I think as TL owners we should have more exterior options such as chrome door handle protectors that would really give the car a little more flash and the car should have indicator lights in the mirrors on the doors. I love the A-SPEC kit, the 18" Sparkle Silver High Performance Wheels! WoW!!!

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  The best - 2005 Acura TL
  By Mafioso - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought the 2005 TL on 10/23/2004. I spent the weekend driving this baby around and all I have to say is WOW..this is a fantastic car. Its powerful and the technology used in this car is amazing. The ride is comfortable yet still sporty. The fun factor of this car is unparallel with the powerful ride, amazing stereo system, bluetooth and the cool blue lights. I think this car is a great value. You get so much for your money. Definitely test-drive this one if youre considering getting a BMW 3 series or a Lexus GS300 or 400. In my opinion, its a perfect car.

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  1999 Acura TL - 1999 Acura TL
  By captain - January 8 - 11:39 pm

  Maintenance and repair expence during 7 years and 143000 miles has been very low. A new transmision at 93,000 mi. was replaced by Acura at no cost. They even provided a new TL to drive while mine was in the shop. My total expense for maintenance(incl oil changes), tires, batteries and repairs is less than $1600, including a new starter at 142000 mi. It still runs and handles like new. (I dont follow scheduled maintenance). Never tuned up, but do change oil and filter every 7500 mi. I still have the original plugs. Gets 26- 31 mi/ga I use only regular. I think it runs better on regular. Ive recently towed this car with 4 wheels on ground behind my motorhome over 6000 mi without any problems.

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  TSX perfoms - navigation is key - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Al - January 8 - 7:42 pm

  Extremely satisfied with this very fun to drive and hi-tech vehicle. The navigation system is essential to enjoyment of this vehicle as it offers the capability to use your bluetooth phone and allows for voice control of many car functions. The gas mileage is tremendous.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR! - 1996 Acura Integra
  By Jennifer - January 8 - 1:12 pm

  this is an awesome car..it gets great gas mileage..has a peppy little engine..good car overall..very reliable (ive had no problems i have a 96 with 95 k miles..not one problem!) i would tell anyone to buy one if you have the chance.

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  I Love My MDX - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Suzanne - January 8 - 11:42 am

  I have driven a minivan for years and this is my first SUV. We went with the MDX after test driving BMW,Lexus,Volvo. I was not impressed until I drove my Acura! Main reason I chose it..Cargo room, and 3rd row seat is big enough for me or my 17 y/o son! Best of all were the safety rateings. My MDX gets alomost 19mi/per gallon! Dont think thats bad for a 6cyl. Heck I only got 14-16 with my minivan! Wonderful ride in town or longer trips. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for room, safety and looks!

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  absolutely love this car - 2005 Acura RL
  By els - January 8 - 8:45 am

  extremely well handling and fun to drive car---super GPS. No problems thus far but still bought the 100,000 mile warranty---would hate to think something would go wrong with this complicated system after the regular warr. expires. Get 18MPG combined city/highway---but worth it.

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  Great SUV - 2017 Acura RDX
  By Rich - January 8 - 2:05 am

  I went from a 2013 CRV and I love the 2017 RDX. It has a nice quiet comfortable ride with plenty of leg room in front and back. The V6 is very smooth and has some get up and go. I love all the safety features in the advanced package. I really like the navigation and being able to send destinations from your phone to your car navigation and calling Acura link to find a destination while driving. The only thing lacking is there is no remote start option on the app.

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  Outstanding car - 2004 Acura TSX
  By c kozy - January 6 - 7:51 pm

  I have owned this car for 1 year and have no problems with it. It a great ride and handles like a dream compared to the BMW 3 series. My friend bought a BMW 3 series and 6 months later but a TSX. Thre reason for the trade in was his nav system stopped working a the interior trim raddled alot.