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:

• 

  Everything I always wanted - 2002 Acura MDX
  By bphill - May 30 - 4:12 pm

  This vehicle truly has the best of all worldsÂ’ ex.style, comfort, luxury, performance, and fuel efficient. Not to mention that the sound system is top notch (even has a sub). My wife and I both are very pleased all around. The next vehicle I buy will be a newer version of the MDX. The only thing I wish I had in this one is the navigation option. The next one I buy will have the navigation and dvd entertainment.

• 

  Ownership - 2005 Acura TL
  By Silverthorn - May 30 - 9:13 am

  The Navigation system is the best that I have ever seen or used. The XM Satellite radio is a pleasant feature, particularily if you drive long distances or have a long commute. Visibility when backing is a bit restricted, which is the only short coming, if any. Sport car acceleration, steering and handling. Every appointment except headlight washers and exterior turn indicators on the side mirrors. Side moldings are extra, but well worth it. I really enjoy driving this automobile. Replaced an Infiniti Q45, so although downsized, did not surrender much. I highly recommend it. A lot of car for the money when compared to comps in BMW, Volvo, Infiniti etc.

• 

  STILL HAPPY WITH IT - 2005 Acura TL
  By JOEY - May 29 - 6:43 am

  after 33,000 Im still satisfied with the car. The problem area was memory seat and moisture inside the headlights. But after being replace no more problem. I would have love to have a FX35 but it was out of my range maybe next time when my least is up. For the money this is a great car. If you shop around you can buy this car close to invoice $30,300 or less so do your homework. Compare that to a C class or a 3 series and G35 and the TL is a great value and a great resale when your ready to sell it.

• 

  Die hard GM man converted by my RSX ! - 2005 Acura RSX
  By GRNTYPE-S - May 28 - 10:54 am

  Im 51 and this is the 1st import I have ever owned. The car is amazing! The ride is smooth and the road feel is taught, but not "stiff". You can nail the gas pedal and hear it just come to life like a wild animal or take it out for a quite cruise at 70 while playing Motzart. The body style is unlike anything else on the road. And the quality and attention to detail is unsurpassed at this price. The Chevy Cobalt Supercharged version is in the same price range. But look closely... it doesnt hold a candle to the quality of the RSX Type-S.

• 

  Luxurious Ride - 1997 Acura TL
  By Jenny - May 28 - 3:01 am

  I bought my 1997 Acura 2.5 TL in 2004. The paint has held up wonderfully with a great topcoat. The sleek design is very desirable to most. No cracks or problems with the leather interior. Very little maintenance problems. A very luxurious ride. I am very pleased.

• 

  Great sporty coupe - 2005 Acura RSX
  By Richard - May 28 - 2:51 am

  Not much interior space to work with, but thats what you get with a sporty coupe. Great handling and steering and interior leather. A pleasure to drive.

• 

  2016 Acura MDX ... NO Spare tire ... no tools - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Peter - May 26 - 4:59 am

  The base model has no spare tire and no tools to change one. I was stuck with a flat tire and had to go through an ordeal to get the flat fixed.

• 

  honda/acuras best car ever - 1991 Acura Legend
  By marcus - May 26 - 2:57 am

  I bought this car from a private seller back in march 03. It was a little beat up on the inside, but it ran like a jewel. I had to replace some things mainly due to age - at that point it was 11 and now its 14 and runs better than ever. The interior design is better than a lot of younger cars on the road today and the exterior design is timeless. People mistake my 91 for a 2000 or 2002! The Bose system was okay I soon replaced it after I bought it just because I wanted to and I couldnt add any subs or anything to the system without blowing the speakers. Other than that the car is an absolute gem. Highly recommend this for a first car for a teenager.

• 

  Pretty darn good - 1999 Acura CL
  By big c - May 25 - 7:11 pm

  I bought mine used and its a great car, good power very roomy for a coupe, take it up to 60 mph and let the fun begin, accelerates better at high speeds. Also retains value very well. Great thing is no options brings everything you might need in a coupe standard. And very comfortable in the back which is rare for a coupe.

• 

  Still a dedicated owner after a Decade - 1993 Acura Legend
  By Michele Lisor - May 25 - 6:07 pm

  It was purchased originally in 1996 from a family member then transfered to me so it has been well kept for quite sometime. Maintaining the vehicle has been average tires are not fun to purchase due to specialized size. But I still say, "Luuuuv my car!" I am having a fuel system issue. When I turn key to start, once Ive let go of key it does not stay running. If key is continuously turned to the start position it wants to turn over but will not stay running.