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:

• 

  16 and Going Strong - 1994 Acura Vigor
  By Rob - August 31 - 4:36 pm

  This is the best car I have owned new or used and I have owned ten other cars including a Mercedes. Bought the car new. Great road car that is very agile when you need to pass. Can drive it in very heavy snow and not get stuck. No major problems with the engine or drive train. Replaced timing chain at 65K and again at 125K miles as prevention maintenance. The muffler system lasted for 15 years. Tune-ups every 30K miles, oil changes, brakes about every 50K miles and tires pretty much sum up the cost to drive it for 16 years plus. Honda should think about putting the 2.5 five cylinder in their new TSX instead of the six.

• 

  Tires and iPod connection - 2007 Acura TL
  By George - August 30 - 1:21 pm

  Just would like to address those that complain about tires not lasting: in a sport-sedan dont expect sticky tires that hold the road last very long. Long-lasting tires will spin when you drive. iPod: for all of you 2007 TL owners: the iPod connection is in the middle compartment under your elbow, well hidden, just look for it. Not a good place, but its there.

• 

  Do not hesitate! - 2000 Acura TL
  By John - August 30 - 12:13 pm

  This is the best car i have ever owned. I bought it brand new in 2000 and besides regular maintenance and normal wear and tear things I have had to pay nothing in repairs. Yes, absolutely nothing. I thought it was unheard of to get this performance + reliability for the price until i bought her.I just bought a 2009 TL and LOVE IT! I dreaded the day when I passed this car along to my son. But at least I can feel confident this vehicle will not leave him stranded on the side of the road. This vehicle is far superior to any German made luxury car by far. I have owned a BMW, Lexus, Audi (worst by far), and a Mercedes and the TL tops them all.

• 

  60K and still loving it! - 2008 Acura MDX
  By Chrissy - August 27 - 8:57 pm

  3 years and 60 k and I still love this car. It has been the most reliable car Ive owned. Before my MDX I was averaging a new car every year. Two Infiniti SUVs and one Escalade later I bought this. I LOVE IT! It has all the luxuries for a fair price with a beautiful fit and finish. Its definitely a keeper! Its comfortable, fun, safe, and easy to drive. I put a lot of miles on my cars and this one has been the best of them all. No problems whatsoever. Before buying my MDX I test drove every Luxury SUV on the market. This one was the best driving, one of the best interiors, great technology, and most affordable of them all.

• 

  07 Acura TL base review - 2007 Acura TL
  By theshawn - August 26 - 10:30 am

  Bought a CPO w/46k miles, Ive only had it two weeks but I can tell one thing, this car is the most car for the money if you want to move a bit upscale without breaking the bank. Nice handling, good mpg for a V6 and one of the best stock stereo systems Ive ever heard. Great standard features, and a firm but compliant ride. I will definitely consider this model again in a few years, plus you get Honda reliability to boot. I thought I loved the care I sold to buy this one (Nissan Maxima), but now I have a new love in my life. :)

• 

  One of the best cars ever driven! - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Vladsly - August 24 - 5:26 pm

  AMAZING CAR! This is such a good car, I never want to sell it. It handles like a charm and it looks so good. Whenever I go to someones house they all say, Nice car! No doubt that when this one breaks, I will get another one. Great features include, awesome Navigation, Back-up Camera, DVD Player and MUCH more. I would recommend this car to anyone!

• 

  Very Happy with Zero Regrets - 2010 Acura TSX
  By Choule01 - August 24 - 2:00 pm

  I purchased this car after having a 03 Acura TL type S. The new features in the TSX are amazing, although 60 less HP is certainly noticed. I compared the IS250 and the G37, but to equip those cars with Nav, Bluetooth and upgraded stereo would cost considerably more. This is my 5th Acura/Honda purchase. Reliability on all of them has been outstanding. Gas Mileage in mostly city driving is 26 MPG, but on a long trip I was getting 32-34 MPG. I havent heard any suspension noises, and the headlights illuminate just fine. I would never have considered a 04-08 TSX, but I really love this new design. This car has lived up to my expectations across the board.

• 

  A good blend of everything - 2010 Acura MDX
  By db5644 - August 24 - 9:03 am

  Good upgrade from our trouble-free 2004 MDX. Honda/Acura continues to give the U.S. market what it wants in a SUV i.e. the right size, the right features, dependability, safety, resale, style (except not so much in the MDX front ends)and a choice between good value in the Honda and Luxury in the Acura. After a lot of study and considering Consumer Reports opinion, keep coming back to the MDX for the best package in a luxury SUV.

• 

  Great car - 2007 Acura TL
  By killerisme - August 21 - 5:42 pm

  Purchased new near end of MY. Our 2nd TL-S, and this one is much better than 1st Gen. It is much sportier, especially handling and brakes, but less comfortable ride and lower fuel economy. Brembo front brakes wear much faster than standard pads and are expensive. Styling and features are at top of class and reliability has been perfect.

• 

  Great experience with this car. - 2003 Acura TL
  By Bama Jiggs - August 21 - 4:20 pm

  This is my wifes car. We purchased it in July 2003 new. I has given us service far superior to any car we have ever owned. (married 56 years). We returned it to the dealer for a recall on the transmission in 2005. Had the transmission serviced in 2009. The car now has 85,000 miles and still performs like new. On trips we average about 32 MPG. Seldom drive more than 65 MPH. Only problem is premium fuel.