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:

• 

  On the road again........ - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Fabvsix - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Having come from an Acura CL Type S, I thought I was in a CL on steroids ! I can only speak on behalf of the 03s which I understand got alot of improvements ! Steering at higher speeds is superb. Acceleration is silky smooth, this vehicle has PLENTY of get up and go ! Braking is fine too ! The seats are as comfortable as the CLs ! I think the CL has the most comfortable seats in the Acura line up ! Yes that includes those NSX seats......As far as build quality, Acura needs to "beef it up", as they have dropped. Upon delivery, I had numerious fixes needed. Of course Acura took care of all. Since all is dandy. I would highly recommend this vehicle !

• 

  Shake, rattle and roll - 2005 Acura TL
  By go_mdx - October 14 - 8:40 pm

  Ive had this car for nearly a year now. The car performs very well and the interior noise level has been a pleasant surprise. Gas mileage has been "ok". Overall, however, Ive had a fair number of disappointments. First day I got the car, the hood would not shut properly. Worst of all, the car shakes when I go above 55mph when the tires are cold. Rear leather seat had to be replaced at 3000 miles due to excessive wear marks. Due to all of these quality issues, I ended up keeping my much older Nissan Maxima. Hopefully, Acura will iron out these kinks in the next few years.

• 

  Great car - great value - 2004 Acura TL
  By slzmd - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Having just turned in my 2001 3.2 TL, I can say that Acura has outdone themselves with the new TL. More luxury, more power, better handling... and all at an outstanding price. The DVD Audio stereo is awesome and the included XM Satellite Radio means youll never have a problem finding a station. The build quality has been outstanding except for a little rattle. Despite criticism of the tires, I have had no problems. The car seems to stick to the road like glue regardless of the weather. A very enjoyable car!

• 

  30000 Miles and Still Love It - 2004 Acura TL
  By Energy Man - October 14 - 4:20 am

  Great car. BS Tires are a pain when cold were replaced at 6900 mi getting Michelin shortly. MPG has been right on EPA 21 city, 29 road, 25 overall. Car is driven hard but smoothly. Handles great, Nav saved me, will buy again. Finish is fabulous but it is easy to damage front air dams and scuff wheels. Needs a larger trunk. Seats are great once adjusted correctly. Audio fabulous, rather have iPod input than tape, love XM. Rattles minor (cause BS tires flatspot overnight). Dealer replaced seat memory, aligned fender seams, installed cooling jet in tranny. Even with BS tires the car handles like its on rails but pressures must be correct. Brakes are great. Still best buy, would buy again.

• 

  Luv that Acura!! - 1998 Acura TL
  By Mabobwa Charles - October 14 - 2:00 am

  This has been, without a doubt, the BEST car I have ever owned! No problems, just routine maintenance. I would get it the car now, and drive to the west coast without reservation! All Acuras are good cars, but this one takes the cake!

• 

  acura legend 2 dr coupe ls - 1992 Acura Legend
  By digital d - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Have had my Legend half a year and like it very much. Reliability has been a problem, but I did not get the car in the best condition. Many people who have rode in it have commented on how much they like and cant believe that is it from 1992, and quite a few wish they had it. The performance is great and it is lots of fun to drive. The Legend is also one of the best looking cars available - even after 11 years.

• 

  2002 Acura MDX Touring - 2002 Acura MDX
  By Carol F - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned-a joy to drive. Everything seems well thought out. Stability was important to me, because my last SUV (not an Acura) was so unstable I nearly lost control of it on the freeway when I had to make a quick correction. The MDX is steady as a rock. After driving it for a year, I am as delighted with it now as when I bought it. It has been problem free.

• 

  Cant beat it for value - 2007 Acura TL
  By Nicolo - October 13 - 11:56 pm

  My silver 2007 called to me from the showroom floor. I was tempted by the Aura, but the lack of HID headlights and obvi was a deal breaker for me. Wonderful paint quality, interior and exterior design, and the new wheels make a great difference. This is my 4th Acura, 2 TLs an 2 MDXs and new models always correct issues I may have had with previous ones. Also, Ive averaged 27 mpg in mixed driving over the first 2400 miles. But ride is stiffer than I expected, much stiffer than the Accord. Try it before you buy it, especially where roads suffer winter damage. And I also have the fuel light problem, although mine comes on after 13 gallons are gone from the 17 gallon tank - most annoying.

• 

  erics opinion - 1995 Acura Integra
  By eric paplia - October 13 - 2:00 am

  i have had my car for only about a month and i already love it. it is my favorite vehicle i have owned. it gets good gas milage and it is very reliable.

• 

  Noisy - 1999 Acura RL
  By Cwill - October 13 - 2:00 am

  After 3 years of driving this car I will be delighted to try something else. I have owned several Acuras and this is the first disappointment. For a car of this quality, the road noise has been a problem that has defied new tires and multiple trips to the dealer. My daughters TL is much quieter. The GPS system is fairly rudimentary and the mileage is <20 mpg highway.