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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  i love my car - 2003 Acura RSX
  By pinchee - October 5 - 10:00 am

  this is the best car i have ever driven. fast, fun, my dream car.

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  mdx - 2003 Acura MDX
  By rccccc - October 5 - 10:00 am

  MDX is extremly fun to drive with a great engine. Safety is excellent for large family. Most other suvs dont offer the 7 seats. The integrated dvd is very sharp and fits the interior without looking like it was a add on. We got it for $1500 under MSRP without any haggleing. Dealership is the best in Atlanta. Break in MPG is a little low, but expect it to get better. Wish the seats were 100% leather, but expect the vinyl to last longer.

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  Nick - 2003 Acura MDX
  By ALTOBELLI - October 5 - 10:00 am

  If you think a Honda product was soilid the Acura MDX is even better. It feels as if you are driving a car not an suv. It is just the right size, not like the yacht sized suvs nor like the micro suvs. The ride hight is perfect, my wife has no problem getting in and out.

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  Great New Car - 2006 Acura TL
  By Mark Walker - October 5 - 12:53 am

  I bought my new Acura TL in late June of 06 and already have 3200 miles on it only after a few sweet months of driving. I love this car and the way it performs. This is the first new car I have ever bought without any problems. Drives like a dream and GREAT gas mileage...

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  Acura is the best over toyota anyday - 2003 Acura TL
  By Diane - September 28 - 10:00 am

  Acura was a better test drive than the toyota avalon. I had better service from the dealers and they answered any questions we had and did not just look ay us just a sale. Our best interest was #1 and the car was a better, smoother drive than the Toyota. Also the price you can not beat.Also the sterio system is top of the line. (bose system) Acura is #1 all the way around...

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  Its a beast on the road! - 2013 Acura TL
  By Crystal Hall - September 24 - 9:26 pm

  Its surprising to me that Acura no longer makes these beauties. Not only is it nice to look at, its even better to drive. Great comfort and even better performance. The TL hugs curves like nobodys business! All weather = no problem. Great in snow and rain! I would buy another if they still made them.

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  The Greatest SUV Ive Ever Owned - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Acura Lover - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Better than the X5 I used to own. Were planning to get a second one when my wifes Volvo X70 lease is up. The kids love the room and enjoy the option of having their own row with the seven passenger seating. The performance and handling on the MDX is like a fine performance car. The four wheel drive is seemless and the gas mileage blows my former X5 away. I had to wait for the MDX since its the most popular SUV in its class, but trust me, its so worth it. Dollar for dollar, you just cant beat it. It has features that come standard that the X5 just couldnt touch. If youre in NJ, definitely go to DCH Montclair Acura.

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  New Acura TL - 2004 Acura TL
  By JohnTD - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Interior is very dynamic brushed aluminum looks great with the ebony. The sound system is awesome (DVD- audio). We all need to run out and get DVD-audios. Seats are great - they give you the "in control" feeling.

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  The best I drove! - 2004 Acura TL
  By sandman - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Just took delivery of my new TL and have NEVER enjoyed a new car better. All facets of driving are great. Test drove Infinity G35 (coupe and sedan) and the TL is much more car for the money. The only negative is that the 6 speed manual with the TL has a bit too much torque of the front end with the drivetrain on the front axle. Much less road noise and comfort in the Acure. Just the best all-round fun car, for the money, on the market. Id put it up against the 3 series anytime...and save $thousands.

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  Great, Could Be Better - 2006 Acura TL
  By MarkE - September 21 - 2:50 am

  I purchased my TL in March and now have about 2,300 miles on it. I am still playing with all the toys this car has to offer and enjoy the acceleration and smooth power of the TL. The Navigation is easy to use and program, the sound system is clear and the 6 channel sound is very impressive. Good luck finding DVD Audio disks at your Best Buy. My only complaints have been a small rattle on the rear hatch that I only hear occasionally. The suspension is a little firm and you feel larger potholes. I am a big guy and I find the seats a little too firm, also. The interior design was the selling point of this car. It looks and operates like a true high-performance sports car.