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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  Best of the best - 2006 Acura TL
  By Renee - December 29 - 9:46 am

  After doing all my research when looking for a car in came down to the Acura Tl. This is the best car i have ever owned !! It has all the class and comfort i wanted and the sporty style is a added bonus as well.A very comfortable ride and the back seat for my children has plenty of leg room and space. I highly recommend this car!

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  Great car for the money - 2006 Acura TSX
  By dcpattie - December 27 - 10:56 pm

  Since this car can be had for around $26,500, its a great bargin. If your looking for a entry level lux car that is reliable, well built and fun to drive then I strongly suggest test driving the TSX.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Acura TSX
  By jvogt - December 25 - 10:00 am

  I usually spend months reading reviews and reports before buying a new car, but after a short test drive I felt I had found a great car in the Acura TSX. After two months of driving my 2004 auto w/navigation and logging about 1500 miles, I am quite happy with my decision to buy one. The car is ultra smooth and refined. The fit and finish of the leather interior is excellent and the interior design is sporty as well as elegant. The car is not overly fast, but for what it lacks in low-end torque it makes up in smoothness. Once the revs get up in the 3000 range though the care moves out nicely. Great car!

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  Love our 04 TL - 2004 Acura TL
  By mapav - December 25 - 10:00 am

  We love our new TL. We test drove the ES330,the Caddy CTS, the G35 and the TL was best by far - more comfortable, features, power all at a very good price. I used Edmunds to price shop and got it at $200 over cost! We have 4000 miles on it now. Average 22 miles per gallon.

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  Best car for the price by Tom - 2004 Acura TL
  By Tom Ho - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Test drive on several cars before purchase this 3.2 TL, compare to BMW 5 series, Lexus GS 300, Infinity G35. Acura seem to be the best for the price when compare the options, performance, technology. Put on 17000 miles in 3 months, great on Gas miles. I am be able to get 30 to 32 on HWY when travel along with empty trunk with AC set to 75 degree. There is a little noise when shift from first gear to second although this model I have is automatic. The stock tires only have 40% tread life left after 17000 miles. Very pleasure to travel on this car, it is fun to drive. Acura should have more available on the 6SP model, wait to long for 6SP model.

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  Excellent! - 2003 Acura CL
  By namruf - December 23 - 2:00 am

  We are very, very happy with our new CL Type S. We have had zero problems with the car. In addition, we are very pleased with the deal we got and the dealership in general.

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  Happy got lucky - 2003 Acura CL
  By MikeyC - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Simply awesome! I love everything about this car. I had been longing for a V6 vehicle and was looking around for the perfect car for me for several months. I think I test drove everything. I almost bought the new Accord EX V6, however I wanted to see what I would get for a few thousand more and I am glad I did. This engine is much more exciting than the Accords. The power, the styling, luxury features, Acura service. You cant go wrong. Love it!

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  The Pimp Mobile!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Acura CL
  By The Phil - December 23 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the fastest cars I have ever driven in. Everthing from the Bose speakers to the heated seats makes this car the best quality car on the market. Personally, the 2002 version is nicer than the 2003 with the fog lights and without the tints on the front headlights. There are not many cars with this speed and performance. I have no real problems with this car so far. All I have to say is that the girls dig it! So get 1!

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  I picked the right one! - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Robert R - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Picked up the Silver MDX with the Navi and Quartz interior right after the new year. Its really a great SUV. The ride is smooth and very enjoyable. The engine is the perfect size and there is plenty of room for anything you would like to carry. I looked at several SUVs in the same price range and this one wins hands down. From what I see so far I did pick the right one.

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  Best Car I Have Ever Had! - 2003 Acura TL
  By - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my perfectly fine 1998 Acura 3.0 CL, with 200 HP, and didnt expect a big step up. Man, was I wrong! The 265 HP engine screams performance.