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:

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Acura MDX
  By billwsps - December 28 - 7:52 pm

  Great Car all around

• 

  I loved my TLX - 2015 Acura TLX
  By Veronnica Kelly - December 27 - 11:59 pm

  Great gas mileage! I drove mostly highways and averaged around 32 mpg. The main cabin is extremely quiet and such a smooth ride.

• 

  2017 Acura Mdx - 2017 Acura MDX
  By lamtuanhuynh - December 27 - 10:59 pm

  Im own 2014 mdx and trade for 2017 Mdx. This 2017 Mdx look/ride and more smooth better than 2014. With the technology pack. love it more for the money been drive a week and still love it and I think this car gonna last for awhile for me

• 

  Love the car but Acura is good at hiding - 2005 Acura RSX
  By huntersdl - December 27 - 2:12 pm

  The 2005 has Tranny issues just like the last ones... They didnt redesign the 5th and 6th syncro to be smoother... the truth is they had and still have poorly designed syncros.. my 2002 had a 2nd gear grind... they replaced it with 2005 carbon syncros... it eliminated the grind in 2nd now 3rd and 4th have a grind.... 3rd will not go into gear sometimes... and you think it is but then it pops out and grind! I have talked to Hendrick mechanics and all the 2005s have the same problem with 3.... they all tell you to wait and push the clutch in all the way.. but that shouldnt be the way it is... its a great car otherwise . no other problems... Acura needs to step up to the plate!

• 

  Acura TL - Auto with Nav - Wow!! - 2004 Acura TL
  By MikeNerren - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I have owned the new TL for one day so far and I just cant wait to have to go somewhere so I can drive it. It has to be the most technically advanced car that I have ever owned. The performance is awesome and the refinement is incrediable.

• 

  GARYS REPORT - 2004 Acura TL
  By BOTER - December 26 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS THE BEST VALUE IN ITS CLASS.IT OFFERS LUXURY AND SPORTINESS AT A REALLY GOOD PRICE.

• 

  Horrible Paint Quailty - 2005 Acura TL
  By Unhappy - December 25 - 6:33 am

  I drove a Blk 93 5spd Vigor GS 4 8 yrs 225k mls, That car was an absolute DREAM. I then got a Blk 97 TL 2.5 auto (was OK, but no Vigor),I was extremely board with the Auto, so I test drove the 05 TL 5speed n fell in love (So expensive though)But I got it anyway. I have 3700 miles on the 05 TL, the majority are highway. I have no rattle trouble or any other issues 2 complain about OTHER than the paint job. I have so many chips on the front of the car for such a short period of time (Hood and Bumper)already Its disgusting. Im lost at this point and I think Im going 2 bite the bullet and take loss(4 to 5k)on the vehicle before it gets any worse for me. THE paint JOB is simply horrible.

• 

  Its worth the money! - 2005 Acura RSX
  By Kamster888 - December 24 - 1:31 pm

  I just bought my car 12/18/2004 and it was worth the wait and money. The overall design and layout of the car is just so intuitive. Sure there are things lacking such as navigation, HID headlights, and an armrest, but Im just so pleased with the overall vehicle I can overlook the shortcommings. The performance is good enough for me with the 5 speed auto although I havent got on it because Im still breaking it in. Im surprised how smooth the car rides and its fairly quiet. I have an 2001 Acura CL Type S and to me the only difference is in the power and the interior quality, rich and soft materials for the headliner, dash, door, and other surfaces. Overall, its worth the money!

• 

  Test drive thoroughly... - 2002 Acura RSX
  By ftms86 - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Pay particular attention to the feel of the gear box before buying this car. Prior to purchasing, I had read reviews that mentioned "gear grinding" between first and second. During my test drive, I felt confident that I did not notice this symptom. Now, with about 2000 miles on the car, I can consistently feel and hear the "grind" I read about. Acura says this is normal, but we (a number of type-s owners) have our doubts. My advice is to know what you are getting into. If you dont mind a notch or two while shifting, go for it (I did!). All things considered, this is one of the best cars I have ever owned: Truly a joy to drive.

• 

  Putting the POCKET in Pocket Rocket - 2002 Acura RSX
  By newege - December 24 - 10:00 am

  After seeing one on the street the tastefully assertive exterior got me to the dealership. The wonderfully designed dash and the number of features for the money got me convinced to make the purchase. Now I will spend the next 3 years with regular trips to the chiropractor because I keep banging my head on the roof with every bounce. Its fun to go fast but the buzzing motor cycle sound is embarrassing! WHAT WAS I THINKING!!! Anybody want to buy mine?