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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  Was concerned about selling the Lexus ES - 2006 Acura TSX
  By MikeK - November 11 - 11:23 pm

  I sold my 01 Lexus ES300 and before I sold it I thought, "What car am I going to buy that could possibly compare with my ES?" Well, that question has been answered, the 06 TSX. This car is simply fabulous. The part I like best about this car is the simplistic maintenance. Im a freak when it comes to that and any fluid that might need to be changed is mearly a bolt away. I love the engine, LOVE IT!! My wife loves the way the car looks. I feel this is the best kept secret in cars today. I dont know why people overlook it. I think people who are shopping for an Acura are looking at the TL or possibly the RSX. They are making a big mistake. Look at the TSX, youll fallin love like I did.

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  This Car Rocks! - 2005 Acura RL
  By dempanther - November 11 - 9:56 pm

  Smooth ride, beautiful and well designed interior, user friendly, wand entry, no key to start car, driver memory remembers XM channels as well as seat adjustment. ROCK ON.

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  Couldnt be happier! - 2003 Acura TL
  By Honest Guy - November 11 - 10:00 am

  The comforts of a BMW and the performance of a Corvette, coupled with the reliability and customer service of Acura, make this car a no-brainer. Ive had a great time driving this vehicle and receive compliments from folks repeatedly. Ive owned luxury cars and sports cars, but this has the best of both worlds (especially if youre like me and cant swing the Mercedes S-Class yet)...

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  Legend Review - 1994 Acura Legend
  By WWW - November 11 - 2:00 am

  I have 2 other friends with the same car and we all agree this is a great car. I will definitely buy another Acura if I ever need to.

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  Great Car! - 2002 Acura TL
  By jimhild - November 11 - 2:00 am

  38,000 miles in 2 years, no repairs, only maintenance items. No downtime of any kind.

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  Best of Breed - 2007 Acura TL
  By moria01 - November 10 - 2:26 pm

  I got the Type-S almost as soon as it came out and didnt see another for months - it is definitely a head-turner! It cant beat the Infiniti G35x or the Lexus IS 350 in aceleration, but it handles great, drives smooth and quiet, and is absolutely loaded with features. I love this car!!!

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  Jack Rabbit - 1999 Acura CL
  By Jolene - November 10 - 2:00 am

  Bought new 9/29. Wonderfully performing car. Feels more powerful than 200 h.p. Great acceleration and cruising on highways. Quality of car is superb. Super sound system.

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  Solid Buy - 2005 Acura RL
  By tom - November 8 - 12:53 pm

  First automatic in 35 years (last car was BMW 528). Shift paddles are good, but would prefer clutch and a good six-speed. That said, this is a fine, fine car. Handles very well at speed. Put 6500 miles on it in first two months without a complaint. Fit and finish are superb.

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  A Wonderful Car! - 1990 Acura Legend
  By aarpcat - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car at 7 years old with 69000 miles. The styling first attracted me and it still turns heads. I took care of the brakes, timing belt, etc before I drove it and have put no money in it except for routine maintenance. The car is incredibly reliable.

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Acura TL
  By Acuraman - November 7 - 10:00 am

  This Car Is Up To Acuras Standards. It is simply designed and very Reliable. This Car is like a Lion in Sheeps Clothing with its scorching engine.