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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  Its Swanky - 1998 Acura CL
  By Vincent - October 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has been reliable for the short period of time i have had it. But that comes with any honda/acura you buy. Its nice that you dont see it at every light that you stop at too! Could use more power, but thats because Im a gear head. But it drives like it looks, smooth!

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  Great Car - 2005 Acura TL
  By Joe - October 22 - 1:46 pm

  I just loving the way this car handles. With its quick acceleration and steering, you cannot beat it. The engine purrs like a kitten.

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  Cant get any better! - 1997 Acura RL
  By wshouse - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used and it is the best I have owned. The ride is incredible. The fit and finish is outstanding. With Acura reliability you cant lose!

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  Great Car - 2002 Acura RL
  By Shin Woong Kim - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car about year ago and it still feel like new. I had Lexus GS300 before this car. But I like 3.5RL much better, its much smoother, quite, and better for value.

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  Greatest Vehicle of the Century - 1993 Acura Legend
  By Mike the Acura Drive - October 21 - 2:00 am

  These are the beast vehicles for your money. You might call it the poor mans Lexus. I have owned 3 Acuras now and the 93 is my favorite. I have owned a 91 Legend and own a 97 3.5RL

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  Bang For The Buck - 2016 Acura TLX
  By Jeffrey Duquette - October 19 - 11:46 pm

  I did a lot of research and drove quite a few cars and couldnt find anything that has all the TLX has to offer. Its comfortable and sporty at the same time. I love the technology and the ability to stay connected. For the price the European cars are far behind.

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  best car i ever owned - 2004 Acura TSX
  By Chicago Gas - October 18 - 5:06 pm

  I have owned other luxury cars such as BMW and Mercedes, but this car has been far superior in value for the money. It handles and performs like a dream. People comment on the excellent style of the car. It truly lives up to Money Magazines Car of the Year. The only difficulty I had was negotiating the price. The Chicago dealers stick close to list price.

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  awesome ride - 1994 Acura Integra
  By jusu - October 18 - 2:00 am

  cute, comfy, lots of power and totally reliable!

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  91 Legend L Coupe - 1991 Acura Legend
  By BigPoppaSmurf - October 18 - 2:00 am

  What else is there to say if you are thinking of buying one, do it! If you are thinking of selling it, dont you will regret it later! This is the best and most reliable car out there that is 12 years old.

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  my little frosted teal car - 1999 Acura CL
  By susan martin - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I like the way this car handles in curves at speeds less then 50. it is not a sport car but it is fun to drive. It has a good sound system. the seats are conforble for long drives and durable. The sun roof makes a somewhat conservetive body syle seem a little more sporty. I had wanted a hacth back but did not find one that drove as well in this price range. The price is what really sold me 23000. is all i paid in sept 99 then i added the rear wing for 600.