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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  Fun to drive and own - 1999 Acura Integra
  By Gary - February 25 - 8:11 pm

  Exceptional car performance/value. Great handling. Great acceleration at high speeds. Awesome looks and features.

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  Awesome Car - 1991 Acura Integra
  By Larry C. - February 25 - 6:45 pm

  I have a 1991 Acura Integra with 190,000 miles. I teach Drivers Education in it. I have put on 40k a year and have not had to do anything but replace three window motors. (same window) Other than that, I could not recommend this car enough. I am in the market for another one.

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  My 2003 TL-S - 2003 Acura TL
  By Dennis - February 25 - 3:22 pm

  I have owned the 2003 TL-S for the last 2 years. I added comtech exhaust, headers and icebox. It easily has 305 hp. This car is fun, quick and a thrill to drive. Im an old man who likes my car to get up and go when I want it to. I have had a problem free experience with my Acura. I love it.

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  Excellent Choice - 2003 Acura TL
  By bigragu - February 25 - 12:33 pm

  I made the purchase after looking at Accord and Maxima. Someone told me to check out TL. I drove the Type-S and purchased it immediately. I very reliable car. Would purchase again in a second.Took to dealer for oil change, they noticed the tranny recall, gave me a loaner, and was all completed painlessly in a day.

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  The real exotic car. - 2005 Acura NSX
  By Too Exotic - February 24 - 7:11 pm

  Big time head turner & get many thumbs up, Great PERFORMANCE, oustanding stylish look to it. Does not get blown away from any cars, as a matter of fact, it steals & attention from any car out there. Just way too hot. When I pull up anywere, people have their jaws dropped onto the ground while staring at it. This car steals the show from M3 & any Porshce out there. You need a $250K Ferrari or $450k Carrera GT to compete with the NSX, not any upgraded volkswagen on steriods like the M3 & Porshce. Can a Vette beat the NSX? OF course, but keep in mind, vette is only 1/2 the price of NSX. It really isnt a matter of affording any of the car, it is truely a matter of choice & taste!

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  Beemer Beater? - 2003 Acura TL
  By Paca - February 24 - 3:58 pm

  My wife and I have been driving acuras for the past 12 years. I still own my 98 3.0CL Coupe (130K miles) and my wife still has her 99 Intgr Vtech (83K miles). Just bought 03 TL Type-S for weekend and leisure use ONLY. Was thinking about purchasing a 02! BMW 530i, with a price tag of 33K and a much slower 0-60, it was a no brainer. I laugh every time I see a 525,528, or 530 Beemer at a red light that wants to challenge my Type-S. Think they need to do a little more homework and purchase that pricey 540? My Type-S so far is slick, smooth, and fast. Took it in for routine svc and got a 05 loaner, WOW! Cornering, stopping and hiccup free acceleration! Definitely a Beemer Beater.

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  It just makes sense in every way..... - 2005 Acura TL
  By deusexmaxima - February 24 - 3:20 pm

  In the $25-50K price range, there is no better value out there. You would spend at least $5K more on a CTS and $9-10K more on a 3 series to come close to the level of performance and features that this car has STANDARD! After 600 miles, I am blown away by everything (especially the ELS audio!). I have friends who tell me that they would never have a front- driver, saying it isnt "extreme" enough. All I can say is that with the kind of stop-and-go, real-world driving that most everybody does most of the time, it just doesnt matter. If you want a car that is all about handling and nothing else, get an Evo or a Mini. This is a complete package (that handles just fine).

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  Possibly best for the money - 2006 Acura TSX
  By henryd31 - February 24 - 11:33 am

  Just got it today, TSX 2006, Auto no Navi System, Royal Blue w/black interior. I think for the money you cannot beat this car, TL seems more popular but there are so many of them, and so few of TSXs, it makes the car stand out more.

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  Not so happy owner - 2003 Acura MDX
  By sad Customer - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Middle Row seat is very uncomfortable. Wire mesh dog barrier and the plastic housing keeps popping out. Took 10-15 minutes of trying to start on two occasions. On the first few feet of driving either forward or backward makes a klunking noise.The acceleration has a lag.Revs up to 4K in first and second gear.The simulated wood interior is just fake looking.This is my 4th Acura. I have a 99 TL as well and with the TL and the MDX it seems Acura is trying to please everyone but has dropped its quality and standard. ACURA should throw in less features and worry more about their reptation as a seamless car manufacturer. As for me I think this is my last Acura.

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  Superb entry lux SUV - 2003 Acura MDX
  By dk - February 24 - 10:00 am

  If youre interested in a 7-seater lux SUV, the MDX is for you. The exterior design is conservative but appealing. The leather seats are very good, but other interior materials could be improved. The V6 has lively performance, but at the expense of poor gas mileage in low gear (Id love a hybrid of this vehicle!). The 3rd row seats sold us, together with very well balanced safety features inside and out--such as the VTM-4 and VSA.