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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  Legendary - 1994 Acura Legend
  By Legendary - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Timeless looks, good from any angle. A smooth ride combined with good noise dampening takes your mind off of whatever traffic conditions you are in. Add to that an 8 speaker Bose sound system with an excellant climate control system and you are in drivers bliss.

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  Do not BUY, all used are lemons - 2002 Acura CL
  By CL/TL Lemon - August 27 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has had three transmissions, warped brakes, malfunction navigation, interior rattles, and cheap leather.Quality is a serious problem, and Acura is not helpful.It still has problems and Acura has stopped talking to me.Atty Swann and 4000.00 later I parked the car.Dealership even dropped it off the lift last time.Car has been torn apart so many times the car feels stretched.They know they have a problem, NTHSA did an investigation and found the transmissions faulty, oh and Acura discontinued the line, CL and TL.Honda isnt what it used to be.My 2000 Ram Air gave me no problems, American cars have indeed come a long way.

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  Best Mid-Size Luxury SUV on the Market - 2001 Acura MDX
  By MDX Lover - August 27 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my MDX for just over two years now logging 39,000 miles. Before I purchased it, I looked at all the mid-size luxury SUVs available, including BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Lexus--I have not been disappointed in my selection. Its been a teriffic vehicle--comfortable, powerful, efficient, reliable, versatile and stylish (conservatively so). I have owned Acura/Honda vehicles for more than twenty years now and will continue to own them as long as they continue to offer the same performance and reliability.

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  I love my acura - 2001 Acura CL
  By Cinci - August 26 - 2:00 am

  It is fun to drive and looks good. I bought mine used and got a great deal! Im sticking with Acura for my next car.

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  A used TSX is better than a new TLX. - 2016 Acura TLX
  By E. J. Ross - August 25 - 12:19 pm

  I have owned Acura cars for over 20 years and this one is the worst. Getting in and out is terrible as the reach to close the door is too far. You can not see the front if the car so parking head-in is just guess work. The entertainment system is far too complicated and not easy to use. I never feel comfortable driving the car and wish I had obtained something else. I want my old TSX back.

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  Smooth Ride - 1998 Acura TL
  By M J M - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used and have never had a problem. The car is sleek and classy. Rides smooth and quietly. The interior is well designed and comfortable. I would recomend this vehicle over a Lexus any day. If you get one you will not be dissapointed.

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  Best lux. sedan for the dough!!! - 1997 Acura RL
  By A is for Acura - August 24 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Arura Product. (1st=91 Legend),(2nd=93 Legend), both of which I put over 175K miles on. I stepped up to a used (always buy used) 97 RL and am very proud of its ability and style. Wife wants to get a MB ML320, but after reading the reviews it is out of the question. I also looked at the Lexus LS400, but felt this matched it in features, but was much less in price. We currently have 85K on it and absolutely no problems, other than small repair to the ABS.

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  So far so good - 2003 Acura CL
  By DRD - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I own a red 2001 CL-S. I now have 44,000 miles on her and she has not missed a beat yet. So far the only maitenence performed was the replacement of brakes. This car has been sooooo reliable as I drive the NE corridor on business all the time (thats from Wash to Boston). If your looking for a beast of a performing car with the refinements of a luxury car this is the one (make sure to get the type-S model). Nothing beats looking into the rear view mirror to the a dusty Bimmer trying to keep pace with you. I must say though I am going to be test driving the new 2003 Infiniti G35 coupe.....right now it is the only car I would turn mt Cl-S in for.

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  Fun but with consistent issue - 2001 Acura TL
  By Dvdleav - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Love the car, consistent great dealer service (3 different dealers in 3 years b/c of job transfers). Only issue is a consistent trim flaw (seen on several other 00 and 01 too) The rear door trim peels/falls apart after about 8,000 miles. Actual service notice was sent by Acura to dealers. A real annoyance every 9 months to replace.

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  Awesome Car - 2003 Acura RSX
  By mailxsz - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Smooth And Quite! Worth the money.