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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  REVIEW - 2002 Acura CL
  By WILLIAM JACOBS - February 28 - 10:24 am

  Great car for the price

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  Bullet Proof - 1993 Acura Legend
  By Iam3rd - February 27 - 3:59 pm

  These engines are bullet proof. With normal maintenance this car is only half through its life at 180,000 miles

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  fanstastic for the price - 2002 Acura CL
  By David R - February 27 - 2:37 pm

  After weeks of test driving, I decided on the CL type S. There are other very good cars out there (such as Lexus IS300 and BMW 3 series). Howerver the CL is lots faster, and comes very well equiped. The seats were the most comfortable. It didnt handle as well as the BMW, and has a bit large turning circle. However, the lexus and BMW would cost at least $15,000 more to equip them similarly to the CL. The interior of the CL looks classier than that in the BMW or Lexus.

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  You Cannot Go Wrong - 1990 Acura Legend
  By Acura Kurosawa - February 27 - 1:23 pm

  In 1999, I bought a 90 coupe and it is my daily driver. It is luxurious, powerful, classy, and incredibly reliable. Of course, Ive had to replace the alternator and a hose or two, but thats to be expected from a car that just broke 200,000 miles! The original alternator lasted until 195,000! See if THAT ever happens with a Ford or Chevy! But these are great cars and you will not be disappointed.

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  Rocket Pocket - 2000 Acura Integra
  By Frank Jask - February 27 - 1:22 pm

  You get your money worth.

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  Safety Specs - 2001 Acura TL
  By warren - February 26 - 10:09 pm

  Had a high speed accident driving at 72 mph on cruise control, when a large SUV crossed the highway. No time to hit brake or turn steering wheel. On impact the air bags deployed, the seat belts held, the engine crushed and dropped. The interior and exterior of the car from the front doors back were not damaged. I was the driver and walked from the accident, although hurting, and my wife in the passenger seat sustained multiple broken bone injuries, but not critical. I will buy another one soon.

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  Solid performer - 1999 Acura TL
  By Mackster211 - February 26 - 6:15 pm

  The Acura TL was simply the best value in its class. Solid performance, comfort and reliability across the board for much, much less than comparable luxury cars.

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  2002 Acura CL Type S - 2002 Acura CL
  By NateBoozer - February 26 - 3:49 pm

  Sweet car. Love the performance! Great interior and top notch customer service!

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  Great reliable,fun car - 1998 Acura Integra
  By phil413tx - February 26 - 2:42 pm

  This is a great car. I have had mine since 1998 and the only problem I have had is with the door locks. The resale value on these cars is outstanding! I would recommend this car to any one who asks my opinion.

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  Top Quality and Performance for the $$ - 2004 Acura TL
  By twruprec - February 23 - 2:00 am

  I test drove the 04 Altima, Maxima, G- 35 , and the TL .. and fell in love with the latter. The G-35 is a spirited performer, but the interior feels a tad too snug, and the controls are a little balky compared to the Acura. The shift action is not as smooth, the clutch pedal is stiffer, and it has noticeably more vibration than the TL. The Acura is whisper quiet and butter smooth in everything it does. It has a level of quality and refinement I didnt find in the other three cars. The surround sound system is fabulous; all other factory systems Ive heard pale in comparison ... or should I say muffle in comparison. :o)