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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  Worth every dollar..... - 2002 Acura RSX
  By Nikolai - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I had test drove the car and was extremely surprised at what I was buying for the price. The performance is incredible and appearance-wise, nothing competes. Im used to looking at the interior of a newer Mustang and Civic, and when I sit in my car I feel like Im in an exotic car. Its definately something I DO NOT regret buying.

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  AWSOME Machine - 2002 Acura RSX
  By Blue RSX -S - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. I tested Celica, WRX, Solara, Tib GSR, ITR, IS 300. and they were not as good for the money. Acura has good quality. I have about 45K and running like a horse. I race many of other cars including Boxter and not lost a race yet!!!

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  In Love - 2001 Acura CL
  By suslea - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car Ive ever owned-- elegant, comfortable, AND reliable. I cried when some woman smashed me in the rear, and Im too spoiled to be happy in the rental car. Cant wait til my car is returned and I can drive in comfort and style again. Gets 26 to the gallon -- the dealer is super -- the ride is smooth as can be, and the handling is dreamlike.

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  LOVE MY ACURA - 2004 Acura MDX
  By BREWER - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE ONLY OWNED MY MDX FOR 2 WEEKS AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO DRIVE IT. IT MAKES MY TRIP TO WORK AND BACK SOMETHING I LOOK FORWARD TO. NOT TO IMPRESSED WITH THE GAS MILEAGE BUT LETS REMEMBER IT IS AN LUXURY SUV. I PAID 2500 UNDER MSRP AND WAS VERY HAPPY TO HAVE MADE THIS DEAL.

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  Turns Heads - 2004 Acura TL
  By jyrtl - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I have driven 10,000 miles already and still love this car. If you dont want to be stared at when your at the traffic light dont buy this car. I had 3 Accords before this car 93, 98, 01 and it was an excellent choice. If you test drive the TL and compare the quality interior, exterior design and standard features against G35 or 330bmw. Your obvios choice will be the 2004 TL

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  MY LITTLE ACRUA GS - 1990 Acura Integra
  By DAVID MORRELL - December 19 - 2:00 am

  After driving GM products and never pasting a gas station it is great to be in a car that is fast and good on gas. I had this car doing 120 mph @ 6500 rpms and it was doing great. The part cost a little more then GM but thatS what you pay for (quality) when you pay more.

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  Great Car - 1994 Acura Legend
  By Alik - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Best car of the 90s

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  outstanding - 2004 Acura RSX
  By jayboo8 - December 19 - 2:00 am

  i love this car

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  Great car but wish I waited for the 2004 - 2003 Acura TL
  By SanDiegodriver - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Considered the Infinity G35 but because it was "car of the year" they would not make a deal. Also considered the Lexus ES300 which is a very nice car but priced about $ 8,000 higher when equipped the same. Narrowed it down to the newly designed Honda Accord with the 240 HP engine but eventually settled on the Acura for its interior quality. The Leather seats feel extra plush.

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  Great Car!! - 2004 Acura TL
  By bmc123 - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Its great we love it so much