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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  Tremendous Used Car Value - 2001 Acura TL
  By trcca - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought used off-lease with 46k miles, and love the car (w/nav). For the price you get so many features, rock- solid performance, interior "luxury," and a fun ride. Also got the GPS which, despite being 3 years behind the tech curve, still works like a charm (and is updatable whenever Acura releases the new DVD). Even with 46 k miles this car handles like a dream, the interior is still crisp and working perfectly, and everything just keeps humming. Highly recommended (I was between this and the ES 300, which has a much more luxurious interior, but far fewer features, floatier ride, and higher price).

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  My Best Vehicle Yet - 2002 Acura RSX
  By Ron D - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I moved up from a 2 Dr. Honda Civic EX and will never look back again!!! The comfortable seats, quiet ride, and quick response is absolutely incredible. When I purchased this car( shortly after I got a BIG promotion), I was looking for something that had great gas mileage, good safety features, and the "Executive" look. Boy did I get what I wanted and more. Try driving fifteen (15) hours in most vehicles and you probably wouldnt want to see it again for a while...not with this car!!! If you have not guessed by now, I like this vehicle!!! By the way, at a cruise controlled 75 MPH on the highway, I have averaged almost 400 miles on a full tank of gas.

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  Great value - 2000 Acura TL
  By Little Rock - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is a dependable, comfortable, good looking car. The only work done on the car was replacing the windshield washer hoses and wipers, because they left a smeary film on the windshield after using windshield washer fluid. Engine is smooth, and the speed shift feature is fun when driving on the weekends. Nice to have an automatic transmission during the week and running around town. Leather seats have held up well. 36,000 miles on the car, and will keep it for several more years. Interior road noise is not bad, but could be improved at highway speeds.

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  Great Car - 2009 Acura TSX
  By billy - January 21 - 3:40 am

  Just bought one for my wife. At 64" 200 lbs I fit in it fine. Was considering the TL for the extra room but the wife fell in love with the TSX. I wish I would have bought an Acura a long time ago. So far stop and go city 27 mpg and 33 on highway with the dummy meter. Would def buy again.

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  Fine, fine car - 1998 Acura CL
  By Coz - January 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car right out of college, my first new car - and it has been a truly great car to own. Cant really gripe about anything too much. I think I may drive this one into the ground - will make a great 2nd car when I finally decide to get something new.

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  Smooth - 2001 Acura TL
  By syeaton - January 20 - 2:00 am

  The Acura TL is an excellent blend of characteristics I was looking for. GOod handling, acceleration, quiet ride, good fuel economy, and performance. Its stylish and ye not pushy.

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  06 TL with Navigation - Outstanding - 2006 Acura TL
  By Del - January 19 - 6:50 pm

  I have had the 06 TL four weeks. Lots of improvements from my 02 3.2 TL. Love the exterior design and the interior, seats are excellent. Great pickup. The Navigation system is OUTSTANDING. Wish I had it on my 02. You got to really work on the verbal communications with the navigation system. Looked at the Toyota Avalon, Lexus ES- 330, Infinite GX-35, BMW-3, and the TL was the clear winner. Quality is excellent at this price point. The wife loves the car, too. I like the trip computer and the ease in changing the key fob settings. Much improved over the 02. The TL performance and driving experience is outstanding. Great automobile.

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  REALTOR praises his MDX - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Marcel - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Tremendous quality! Former Jeep Grand Cherokee owner. I will never go back. Great traction, superb handling, no noises, best gps out there. Value packed with style.

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  Happy Consumer - 1999 Acura RL
  By dback - January 18 - 2:00 am

  The ride is exceptional, the styling great. After 4 years the exterior paint job still is in great condition. The interior is still clean. This is a great car for the money. Everyone that says its great fails to mention its front wheel drive. Great feature over other cars in its class. I had planned to buy another one but I am having to much fum with this one to give it up.

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  2004 Acura TL - 2004 Acura TL
  By esahcmij - January 18 - 2:00 am

  So far, 835 miles of pure bliss. As a long time Honda fan (3 Civics, 1 Accord, 2 Odysseys, 1 Legend Coupe), I say this new TL is their premier product. Ride is great compromise between luxury and sports car. Quiet and smooth with great road feel. Fabulously fused accellerator and transmission. Way better than the ES330 and the I35. Awsome sound system. Big back seat... plenty of headroom.