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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  Second to None - 1991 Acura Integra
  By Nick Walker - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I drive a 91 GS Hatchback. Everytime i get into my Integra i feel like im in a brand new red sports car. The integra does not look like an 11 year-old car. The engine could be a little more powerful but there is no doubt in my mind that this car is like the Jerry Rice of NFL recivers. This car is Second to None. No domestic cars are even in this same catagory. Not even some of the 90s civic can even hope to challenge this beast.

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  Awesome new TL - 2009 Acura TL
  By PMcK - December 31 - 1:13 am

  I love the new TL. This is my third TL in a row (04 and 06) and it is by far the best one Ive every owned. Like many I was skeptical about the exterior styling, but Ive had nothing but thumbs up. I live in Canada and with the winter tires it handles fantastically well. I love the iPod interface and the bluetooth. I also love the ticker steering wheel, I only wish it was heated. I also love the paddle shifters and that you can shift gears while the transmission is still in drive. Im a little disappointed in some of the material used like the interior door handle. Overall I definitely would recommend this car.

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  MDX rules over any other SUV. - 2002 Acura MDX
  By tedpacificNW - December 30 - 2:00 am

  After owning a 99 Ch-eep Grand J-erokee for 3+ years and spending WAY TOO MUCH MONEY on minor and MAJOR repairs (after the warranty expired, of course), I purchased the 2002 MDX. Although the price on the MDX is much more than the Jeep, Ill most likely be saving money over time. The quality and craftsmanship of the MDX is by far superior than the JGC and I believe 90+ percent of all suvs on the market. This is the best SUV for golfers, because golf clubs fit like a glove in this SUV. If youre looking for a smooth, comfortable, no-rattle, luxury ride, this is the SUV to buy.

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  THE NSX IS TIGHTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Acura NSX
  By $$$cash$$$ - December 29 - 2:00 am

  You wont know what it is like until you drive it!!!!!!!

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  integra - 2001 Acura Integra
  By mari - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had my integra for a little over a year. I can not even think about a car that I would rather have. It is reliable, gets good gas mileage, it is completely pratical and best yet it is fun to drive. I have not yet had any kind of problems at all.

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  Great Car - 2002 Acura RSX
  By sdb - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Simply put the best car in its class. It has great value and is built great.

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  Value for money - 2002 Acura RSX
  By AVT - December 26 - 2:00 am

  Excellent value for money. Feels like an expensive car. Great car to have fun in.

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  Acura CL Premium 2001 - Fun Car - 2001 Acura CL
  By Firsttimeacuraowner - December 26 - 2:00 am

  Got my 01 CL Premium with 14K in 12/2000. As of 12/2002, I have 40K. Only problem Ive had is that the rotors had to be replaced. Steering, acceleration are fine, tranny shifts smoothly. I get 20/31 mpg. Seats are supportive. Visibility is good when checking over shoulder to change lanes. Main gripe: side-view mirrors are placed such that they obstruct your forward, side view when turning. Minor gripe: cup holders are poor - a medium iced- tea from the fast food shop can tip over if you have to make a mildly abrupt stop. Great car for the $ if you want something decent.

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  Our New MDX - 2016 Acura MDX
  By K-Meister - December 25 - 9:52 am

  Great ride, love the lane assist. Took it on a very long trip and it performed great. Surprisingly great mileage.Back seats do not recline which is a bummer for our kids. Navigation system is a bit clunky with the two screens.

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  love this car - 1994 Acura Integra
  By NYCDRIVER - December 24 - 2:00 am

  if you dont want to spend a lot of money on a car but yet want a reliable fun to drive car - this is it. costs a little more than the civic but performs way better. I have a little girl and the 4dr version is a great car for a young family (although the trunk is not huge).