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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  Love this car - 2004 Acura TL
  By NCacuradriver - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed each day I have driven my TL! Great response, comfortable, great handling,and XM radio--just the best! I only wish it took regular gas since gas prices are so high now. Great fun to drive--especially after many years as a van or a SUV driver.

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  A Sassy Sportscar - 2007 Acura TL
  By Desiree W. - October 22 - 1:13 pm

  I recently traded my 06 Cadillac CTS in for the new 07 Acura TL Type S. I bought the Moroccan Red car with the upgraded 18" chrome acura wheels. I LOVE this color car with the chrome wheels. So, if youre unimpressed with the gray Type-S wheels you should check them out. The car handles well, has more get-up-and-go than my 04 GTO, and has optimal styling to boot. The back up camera is totally great for parking. The only negative I report is that it doesnt have the smoothest ride with the low profile tires. That is a mere negative compared to everything that it has to offer.

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  A pleasure to drive...Anytime... - 2002 Acura RSX
  By Asko - October 22 - 10:00 am

  Top notch, perfectly executed in every department. Extremely pleased with purchase, will recommend to every one.

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  has it all - 2004 Acura TL
  By riffl - October 19 - 10:00 am

  This is my first non-BMW in the last 15 years. Most Bang for the Buck of any car I have driven. I do wish it was rear wheel drive but I have gotton use to it. It comes with all of the bells and whistles that BMW charges extra for. I love it

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  Win Win - 2004 Acura TL
  By nuella - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Look no further for reliability, the buck stops here. I strayed briefly from my Honda/Acura loves for an Audi, never again. If you want reliability constantly not just part of the time this car will never let you down.

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  COULD BE BETTER - 2004 Acura TSX
  By Phantomenace - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Crashed my RSX, so I used my insurance money to buy this car. This car is much more comfortable to drive, but does not feel as sporty. Also, my average MPG observed is lower than the rated MPG. I cross shopped with the G35, A4, and the IS300. The thing that tipped the scale was the nav. Unlike the others, the TSXs screen is huge and it is also touchscreen. This car feels identical to the Accord, consider cross shopping with that car as well.

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  2004 TL - 2004 Acura TL
  By VC Slim - October 12 - 2:00 am

  After almost a year and 10k miles my 04 TL 5MT Navi hasnt missed a beat. Ive been back to the dealership 3 times for a sunroof rattle (fixed), oil change ($30) and transmission recall. Im a 20 year Honda owner and this by far is the best car Ive ever driven.

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  Cant stop smiling - 2003 Acura RSX
  By JAV - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun. When the iVTEC kicks in, the power and sound are wonderful. It is so much fun to run through the gears that I actually dont mind stopping at traffic lights. I have found a new route home from work that incorporates the most curves. My wife and two teenage boys love it too.

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  Love the SUV - 2003 Acura MDX
  By David M. Weber - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive never driven a Suv such as this that has the ride and handling of a luxury automobile. The changes made from 2002 to 2003 shows how concerned Acura is with regard to reacting to the concerns of its clients.

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  CarFan - 2006 Acura TL
  By TruCarFan - October 6 - 4:56 pm

  The Acura TL has got to be one of the premiere vehicles to drive for under $35,000. The interior is comfortable and excellently designed. The gauges, radio, and navigation are easy to read and use. I get outstanding gas mileage (from 26-33 mpg highway). The handling is crisp and the acceleration is perfect. The AC takes a while to get the car cool.