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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  Great car - 2003 Acura TL
  By 2003 TL-S - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The TL is the best bargin in the near luxury segment - period. For around $31,000 you get performance, luxury, and style - all standard. No other car even comes close. The power (especially Type S) is instant, the car is definitely fun to drive, and there are numerous features to pamper the driver and passenger. My only complaint is the ongoing transmission issue with 2000 - early 2003 TLs. Acura only extended the warranty on the transmissions, which have been known to fail at 70 mph, rather than issue a recall and just fix them. Other than that, you cant go wrong with a TL.

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  mdx is my 4th acura--great car - 2005 Acura MDX
  By lztucker - March 23 - 1:53 pm

  grandkids love the entertainment center. we love the navigation system. only complaint is back tail door-- not real easy to shut with one hand.. wish there was an automatic closer

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  Acura MDX 2004 - 2003 Acura MDX
  By JHCleveland - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot of research before buying this car. After studying many other mid-sized SUVs I decided on this model. It has more than met my expectations. It is a pleasure to drive and I have had no problems with it at all. Admittedly, I have only owned the car since December, but it was bought after an accident I had. I was very fearful of driving. I got over my fears in this car more rapidly than I had in the past because I felt so secure in the car. I was told that I might have minor repairs needed in the beginning, however, nothing has failed to work properly. This is the only car I have had that I would absolutely buy again!!

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  2017 MDX - 2017 Acura MDX
  By al labrusciano - March 22 - 7:24 pm

  Super car at a great price the advanced package as every thing you could ask for in a SUV heater and cooled leather seats.Super ride and power, plus a a lot of other features that are just too many to list

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  Transmission problems - 2016 Acura MDX
  By MDXINTX - March 22 - 4:59 pm

  After 1000 miles the new 9 speed transmission cant figure out what gear to use at low speed (< 40 MPH). The ride is jerky or the car surges. The dealership is aware of the problem, but solution not available. Also the memory seat/steering doesnt always return to the set drivers position and the navigation system worked correctly 1 out of 4 attempts. Knowing what I know now, I would not get this car.

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  Outstanding vehicle - 2003 Acura MDX
  By TML - March 22 - 2:00 am

  We also own a BMW X5, Lexus RX300, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lexus LX470. The MDX is the best vehicle of all. Very quiet, smooth and comfortable. Exactly the right size. The car just does everything well.

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  My Type-S is PERFECT! - 2002 Acura RSX
  By Type-S girl - March 21 - 9:06 am

  The RSX Type-S is the most well-balenced car Ive ever owned. The handling is very stable, especially when pushed hard, and the control that the driver feels through the wheels and pedals is phenomenal! And the engine! Ah . . . Acura has stolen my heart this time! What a beauty - smooth and economical when youre not pretending to be Mario Andretti, and the beautiful sounds in the high revs to make you feel like you are when you want to. Just lovely!!!

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  Excellant buy at used - 2001 Acura RL
  By mecyl - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Excellant built and solid vehicle. Very reliable car with minimal maintenance. Worth every penny if you buy a used vehicle

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  Why this car - 2004 Acura RL
  By abettinger2 - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1994 Legend and for 160,000 miles only one unscheduled maintenance for a stuck brake caliper at 140,000. I chose the car for the comfort of the seats, the firm ride (no wallowing and surfing) and the quality and durability. There is more than enough power for everyday driving

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  pasadena racer - 1990 Acura Integra
  By matt perry - March 20 - 2:00 am

  ok i have had this car for a little over 2 years, and i love it. so far the only major problem has been replacing my rear brakes [rotors and pads] but thats hardly acuras fault, more mine for not replacing them sooner. but other then that a few problems have been with my transmition in the cold, and the inside fabric is pulling off of the doors. but still the power of the car is there, its quick and can kick the cra...stuff outta a civic, lol, i still stand by my lil blue baby, hope she lasts another 150k hoping...