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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  Excellent Vehicle - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Chicago Rich - October 14 - 12:23 pm

  This vehicle is outstanding. Everyday I drive it, I find new conveniences. Ive owned several SUVs including the BMW, Lexus LX470, and Dodge Durango. This one takes the cake. It is larger on the inside that it looks, and the car is smooth with no problems. I am frugal in my praise, which has led two friends to also purchase the vehicle. Great for families and excellent in the Chicago snow.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Apple - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, plenty of pep, real eye turner, Voice command somewhat bla, do better not using it, nav map somewaht time dated. 2nd one Ive owned & will probally do it again!

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  2004 Acura MDX - 2004 Acura MDX
  By iquilt6 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Best SUV I test-drove. Competition was the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander and the MDX beat them both hands down. It has a smooth, comfortable ride, very car-like due to the chassis. I wanted a third-row because I sometimes haul grandchildren, and I wanted that third- row to be comfortable. The Highlanders third row seat seemed like an afterthought, and not a very good one at that. The Pilot would have been a good choice, but Honda would not put a tan interior in a white exterior -- VERY shortsighted in my opinion. I am thrilled with the MDX -- it just keeps getting better.

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  What a Car! - 2004 Acura TL
  By Bob822 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I traded a big, newer Pontiac Bonneville SSEi for the new TL and couldnt be happier. The TL has a more sporting ride (harder) but is superior in every way. Fast, pure quality and super high technology for a lot less than BMW, MBZ, Audi, etc. I considered the Nissan Maxima, but the interior was too cheap and plasticky looking. Besides, the TL gets rave reviews from most car mags. I like sport driving but dont drive like a maniac like some car mags assume everyone does, so complaints about front wheel drive and torque steer is not an issue for me.

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  Sticking with Honda - 2004 Acura TL
  By timc - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I am happpy that Acura redesigned the TL w/a 6 speed.Previously had a 2001 TL after a 1997 Maxima. Many years ago had a 85 Accord. After stepping up to an upper car marque with Acura, Infiniti was my only other choice. Just as it was in 2001 as it was now, when it came down to Nissan/Infiniti vs. Honda/ Acura, the motorcycle company wins hands down. I really wanted to like the last and new geneartion Maxima, and I really liked the G35. I also knew I could get some steep dscounts on the brand. But, Acuras interior was worlds better. Also, its engine is more refined and better on gas

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  Fantastic car for this price range - 2004 Acura TL
  By CryoWiz - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought it for $95 over invoice just a few days before Christmas. The car is great, both exterior and interior, powerful, very agile and responsive steering. Loved the sound quality (although NOT THE SOUND SYSTEM itself, see improvements section). Lots of fun to drive, large trunk and fits my 63" frame just fine. Call me childish but Im in love with the blue-and-white backlit instrument displays, they make you feel youre flying a plane or a spaceship, especially at night. Very satisfied, although have some items Id like to have corrected (see below)

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  A True Luxury Sports Car - 2004 Acura TL
  By Moss - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive; handles well; quick and responsive at higher speeds; great sound system.

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  Sweet TL! - 2004 Acura TL
  By ursula - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I was close to going with a ho-hum Volvo...thanks to my husband, we checked out the TL. I was blown away by the DVD audio and very comfortable lumbar support on the drivers side seat....he was blown away by the manual AND auto drive shift. We both fell in love with the light show on the dash. The car is fun, sleek and fast - love it! Drive it! Youll never want to get out of it...hopefully your dealer will let you take for a test drive without a minder...:).....

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  Better in every way - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Jason - October 7 - 8:13 am

  I came from a 2004 TSX that I loved, and this car is better in every way. There are so many new features this year. This car is faster, drives better, has more technology, has a more quiet cabin, feels more refined, has more creature comforts, and looks better than previous models. The only thing I may not love are the new wheels, but theyre growing on me. Everything in this car is well integrated and easy to use compared to other cars, kind of like a Mac to a PC. The total package is greater than the sum of its parts. The TSX is a gem that combines all the right moves at the right price, and for 2006, Acura has found a way to improve what was for me an already perfect car.

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  I like it! - 2004 Acura TL
  By buddy0173 - October 1 - 10:00 am

  Very pleased so far w/ performance & handling. Rides smoothly & is comfortable. Highly recommended. All the durability & dependability of a Honda in an upscale sedan. Pleasure to drive.