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:

• 

  go vtec - 2005 Acura RSX
  By techfun - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I just picked up my 05 RSX type S. This car has some new features that greatly improve the vehicle over the 04 model. The new headlights and tail lights look much sharper, and the lowered body adds not only cosmetically, but aids tremendously in the handling department. New for 05 are 17" 5 spoke wheels that look outstanding. They have also added a larger exhaust tip, which sounds like a formula 1 vehicle. So much fun to drive revving the vtec up over 8k. Im a previous Civic SI owner, which was stolen, and wanted to step up to the next level. This car does not disappoint.

• 

  Great SUV - 2017 Acura RDX
  By Alisa Behn - February 7 - 9:18 am

  This is our second RDX. The first was a 2014. The 2017 has been improved in a lot of ways and is a bit quieter. Great SUV!

• 

  Wow--nice car! - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Goozie - February 7 - 5:16 am

  Picked up the 2005 TSX 3 days ago and I am impressed! XM satellite radio, heated mirrors and power passenger seats are nice additions. 200 hp engine acceleration is more than acceptable. Sound system is terrific and leather seats are very comfortable. After researching Honda Accord, Subaru WRX, Toyota Camry and BMW 3 series, I am certain that I made the correct selection. This car is combines sportiness, luxury and and enjoyment of driving in a nice package.

• 

  Love It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Pootie1026 - February 6 - 8:40 am

  What a joy to drive! It rides very smooth. Excellent pickup. Comfortable on long drives, roomy trunk.

• 

  New toy - 2018 Acura RDX
  By Rich - February 4 - 12:17 pm

  Downsized from a Buick Enclave and was worried about losing the comfort of a bigger SUV. Worries were not warranted. I love the RDX !!!!

• 

  So much fun to drive!!! - 2003 Acura CL
  By TypeSRocks - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my boring 2002 A4 for this 03 Type-S, sportshift. It is so much fun to drive this car, incredible sounding VTEC V6 (deep, throaty, muscular sound). Lightning quick acceleration. Excellent leather seats, 8way power seat for driver is amazing. Smooth leather.

• 

  Fun Vehicle - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Jed - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Decided on the MDX after driving a BMW 330CI for 1.5 year and needed a family car. Father has an X5 and the MDX, I feel, had most of the same qualities. A little less power, but hey its half the price of the 4.4 X5. Good car for the money. Used to own a 4-Runner and the power of the MDX blows it away.

• 

  Great mix of utility and fun - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Bob Crowe - January 31 - 7:43 pm

  Great handling for SUV, plus plenty of room for this class vehicle. The electronics are pretty intense, but learnable and the car is full of amenities. Engine doesnt sound as sweet as most acura/hondas but it has plenty of power. The cabin is very quiet even at speed. Leather seating is quite comfortable.

• 

  Type-S 12k miles - 2003 Acura RSX
  By Tollu - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Very very fun car to drive. Very positive reaction from the ladies.

• 

  Excellent value - 2003 Acura TL
  By asantrosyan - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I always wanted to buy a GS300, but this car beats the Lexus by all measurable parameters and is about 15K cheaper. Its a perfect family sedan that combines utility with reasonable amount fun to drive. 100% recommended.