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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  TL: Tech Tour de Force - 2006 Acura TL
  By Redirector - April 26 - 1:50 pm

  Tested: A3, M35, Passat V6. M has even more tech, but is +$14k. Passat is fast, but dealers not so good, reliability suspect. A3 drove great, a little small. TL best use of HP, Lux, Sport, Tech. Quiet, fast, smooth; roomy, beautiful tan interior. 31mpg hw! Navi better than M (note: TSX, RL have newer "firmware", more voice commands, Zagat). Voice recog. is accurate; Map is intuitive, not bossy, or verbose! Fast recalc; can input by point/clicking on distant cities for routes; Displays logos. Dials #s found on Nav w/Handsfree Cell. Stereo/XM Sat has stunning clarity. Dealer: "free tires for life"; car washes; loaners. Must spend $50k to top TL. Use $ for DVD-As, bluetooth cell!

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  New to Acura by gail - 2007 Acura MDX
  By New acura owner - April 26 - 2:50 am

  Researched the 07 MDX a lot before purchasing. It was worth the wait. The 07 interior is much nicer than the 06. We bought the Sport package and the leather upgrade was worth the price. This car has a lot of pep and wants to go. Cant wait to take it on a trip. The more you drive it, the more you like it.

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  TLX Outstanding Value - 2018 Acura TLX
  By MJLx2 - April 26 - 2:47 am

  We’ve all heard / seen commercials urging comparison to competitive products “costing thousands of dollars more” .... well the TLX AWD V-6 w the Advance package truly offers a fully loaded car for thousands less than other mid-size premium cars. (In some cases for many, many thousands less.). Coupled w advanced safety and tech features, the car provides a smooth, comfortable and very quiet ride ... almost no wind or road / tire noise. The seats are very comfortable and the Advance package offers a driver’s power seat extension feature. For a taller guy that’s a much appreciated feature. My only nicks per se are the back seat leg room is a bit tight, trunk springs could be a bit stronger and the 9-speed trans is not as silky smooth as my previous car ( Audi A6). That said, the V6 AWD provides plenty of power and confident handling. The car is tight and feels solid. At 75mph the engine / trans are only turning 1,500 rpm! And, Acura finally dumped the beak grill got a modern, attractive and premium looking grill for the car making it a great looking car. When considering the price ($43,200 after Acura rebate) advanced safety, tech features and build quality this car is an outstanding value.

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  Excellent Value - 2003 Acura RSX
  By Mark1 - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I looked at a number of cars in this class. Part way through my search I was sure Id go with the Celica, but I changed my mind after seeing and driving the RSX. I went back to drive the Celica again, and although I have nothing bad to say about it, I saved about $2000 on the RSX and got ABS, side airbags, and a car that has done the best in its class whenever it is reviewed. The best for less -- cant beat that!

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  Not good for freeways - 2002 Acura RSX
  By Phantom Menace - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Even though this car has nice suspension, which shows in handling, I feel every little bump on the freeway even on the smoothest surface. The seats do not help since they are as hard as a rock. Its a fun to drive car, but the comfort level is this car is very low. Going to trade this in and get the new 2003 Accord Coupe.

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  Just got it - Already love it!!! - 2003 Acura TL
  By Denhe - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Just got my TL-S with navi and it is an amazing car. Great accelleration, completely loaded, fun toys all in a family car package for just over $30K. Cant say enough good things about this car. Also, Precision Acura made the purchase process and negotiation completely painless. Great Dealer!!

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  THIS is the Car to GET!!! - 2006 Acura TSX
  By wolfgangmeister - April 24 - 4:36 am

  This car blew me away... didnt expect it to be so good in every aspect. Handling, Acceleration, Comfort, Style, Roominess and the worlds BEST Navigation system! I was an Audi owner, and a BMW lover, but move aside Germany, Acura has you beat! Plus you actually get to enjoy driving this car, rather than paying 1,000s of dollars maintaining it. Ive replaced my last fuel injector, oxygen sensor, electric door lock, cruise control switch and air bag sensor in my Audi... if you want quality its Acura all the way. If you enjoy the repair shop, I guess the A4 and 3-series are just fine.

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  thumbs up - 2005 Acura TSX
  By will - April 23 - 7:36 pm

  Just purchased an04 this month. Its a great car. fist tank of gas, mpg 25 city driving. The back seat leg room is tight for average size person. Its fun to drive, tight, no noises. Firm ride of bumpy roads. Has good power and acceleration, and handles good. I looked at the TL but a little high for my budget, The Accord, everyone has one and the maxima good room but didnt like the lay out of the dash. I got a good price and a new car warranty.

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  Worth the wait - 2002 Acura MDX
  By KYShredder - April 23 - 9:55 am

  I waited 5 months for delivery, and wasnt disappointed. It is the perfect blend of sport, utility & luxury. Pickup is quick, handling precise yet comfortable. Ive had 7 passengers in it for short treks without complaints. Also, Ive had 4x8 sheets of drywall in it - they lie flat! Its not so luxurious that you are scared to mess it up. The wife and I fight over driving it. It isnt as luxurious as a Lexus. Suggested improvements are nits. With the value and performance, cannot understand why anyone would waste money on any other SUV in this class. IId buy another!

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  New MDX purchase - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Dan Anelli - April 22 - 1:34 am