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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  The Intelligent BMW - 2005 Acura TL
  By Mo - July 21 - 11:00 pm

  This is a truly awe-inspiring vehicle. It is a mobile testimony to the ability of mankind to refine the daily commute to a work of artestry. Prior to our purchase of the TL, we gave consideration to the G35, BMW 3-Series, and Lexus ES 330. The TLs larger size, long list of standard features, and reliability factor won out.

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  AMAZING CAR! - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Cadu - July 18 - 5:16 am

  The car is just amazing. The engine is awesome and there is no noise from the engine. I just traded my 2003 Audi A4 for the 2006 Acura TSX...and i dont regret at all. The car is Perfect!

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Acura RSX
  By Aunsue - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I have thoroughly enjoyed this car and everything about it. I have not had any mechanical problems, just standard maintence like oil changes and rotating and balancing the tires. I have found that it is easy to drive, and so has everyone else who has driven it. It is a great car.

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  Great Value - 2004 Acura MDX
  By mca_kirk - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Incomparable value; real competitors want $5-10 more; MANY standard features that are available only as options on competing vehicles.

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  UNBELIEVABLE - 2004 Acura TL
  By THEMEMPHISDOC - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I WAS LOOKING FOR A SPORTS CAR LIKE A VETTE, BUT I NEEDED THE REAR SEATS. I DROVE THE BMW 5, THE C AND E CLASS MERCEDES,AND THE INFINITY G35 BUT I WASNT IMPRESSED. I WENT TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP JUST FOR FUN TO LOOK AT THE NSX. THATS WHEN I SAW THE TL. ITS A PERFECT BALANCE OF SPORT, PERFORMANCE, AND LUXURY. IVE HAD IT FOR A MONTH NOW AND IM STILL LOOKING FOR REASONS TO GO SOMEWHERE JUST TO DRIVE.

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  Excellent - 2005 Acura TL
  By Eli Manresa - July 16 - 2:36 pm

  Very nice extirior style, good performance, lacks touge but pretty fast great braking and stopping

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  Acura MDX - 2004 Acura MDX
  By jyork - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Very satisfied with car. It meets my needs and knowing Acura quality I own with confidence. Good handling vehicle, pleasant to drive. Since I am 75 years old I enjoy the ride and the way it handles.

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  The New TL is a Great Car - 2004 Acura TL
  By BoSox in 04 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for six weeks and 2200 miles and am very impressed. Acceleration and handling are first- rate, making it the most fun car Ive owned. Styling is excellent. Interior look and feel are great, with very good front and rear seat room. Content and technology are class-leading. Build quality is excellent - no squeaks or rattles. Put it all together and the new TL is the best under $35k car available.

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  Very Happy - 2009 Acura TSX
  By SW - July 14 - 12:26 am

  I just purchased my TSX a few weeks ago and couldnt be happier. I test drove and compared the G35, Maxima, IS250. I did a ton of research and the longer Ive had the car the happier I am with the purchase. I got it loaded with most accessories... the others were much more expensive and lacked comparable features. If youre in the market for a small four-door sedan you wont go wrong with the TSX.

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  Best Car Ive ever owned - 2014 Acura RDX
  By Jim - July 13 - 4:55 am

  Maybe the best car Ive ever owned...Im 70!