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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  Jack of all trades or a master of none? - 2003 Acura CL
  By cecil30 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Before I bought this vehicle I was worried about the torque pull, its lack of refinement and its comparison to others in its class. After a test drive, I questioned it no more. The technical beauty of Acuras Limited slip differential took some getting used to, but it does behave much like a RWD sports car in its handling. The bottom line of this vehicle is that it successfully merges the best aspects of a FWD luxury sedan with the performance of a sports coupe. What a shame that this car is being d/cd. I hope that Acura doesnt shy away from this platform in the future.

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  CL-S - Great Value for the Price - 2003 Acura CL
  By mbackus - February 26 - 2:00 am

  The Acura CL-S would be best called a "sleeper." The exterior styling is a bit bland, but once you are in the drivers seat the Acura takes on a whole new flavor. This automobile is truly fun to drive. While it wont meet the true driving enthusiasts needs (except perhaps with the 6-speed manual) this car has plenty of luxury and power to go around. The level of options included make the Acura a great value. The interior is cozy and comfortable with all switchgear close to hand. The Acura has a good sized trunk and would be a good choice as a touring car for a single person or a couple.

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  Great car, especially for the money - 2005 Acura TL
  By Wayne - February 25 - 2:46 pm

  The previous two cars I owned were an Audi A4 Quattro, and a Volvo S80 T6, and also currently own a Mercedes ML 320. My 05 TL is comparable to the Audi A4 in performance, and much more comfortable. The TL is not as comfortable as the Volvo S80, but much better looking and better performance. I like the fact that the TL comes standard fully loaded with just about everything you could want, there are basically no options except for navigation system, and the price is exceptionally good for an entry level luxary car. Both exterior and interior design are excellent, interior is very functional, and rear seating is surprisingly ample. I think its the best car for the money available today.

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  A True Classic - 1994 Acura Integra
  By TimJD - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought my second GSR after my first one got totalled, which goes a long way in showing how much of a fan I am of these cars. These cars are the ULTIMATE college car. Fairly fast, go- cart handling, great gas mileage, reliable, and that warm fuzzy feeling it gives you when you rev the engine past 6000. For the time, this car was a technological marvel, a four cylinder that had equaled V6s in power in the present day, it still does not fail to impress, thank you for the memories Honda!

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  Ultimate Touring Coupe!!!!!!!!!! - 1993 Acura Legend
  By Johnacura - February 25 - 2:00 am

  93 LS Coupe Type II 6 spd is an awesome, well rounded vehicle, inside, out and under the hood. The 3.2 Type II V6 matched with a 6spd transmission gives me over 30mpg on the highway! They just dont make them like this anymore. Craftsmanship and detail is wonderful. Timeless design, leather is still in awesome shape with minimal fade on parts of the drivers seat, after 102,000 miles just routine maint.,master cylinder and door actuater for the passangers door for the lock were the only repairs Ive had to do. Big beautiful comfortable coupe that performs and handles like a sports car. Its a Touring coupe for others to emulate.

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  Used Acuras are the best! - 1999 Acura TL
  By Student - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Found a great deal on a used 99 acura TL. Looked at Camrys and Accords but the TL offered the most car for the money, and in some cases was even cheaper than lower model vechiles.

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  Great CL - 2003 Acura CL
  By JimmyCL - February 25 - 2:00 am

  This is the best 2 door coupe on the market. The handling of my CL S-Type couldnt be better. It hugs the road like a sports car. The exterior is clean and sleek and very appealing to the eye. When you hit the throttle you are pinned to the seat, but just driving easy through town is a real joy too. The exhaust system sounds great, you not only feel the powerful V-6 you hear it too. I have had the car for 10 months without any problems. Just like a Honda, the reliability is the best. The Bose sound system provides a great place to listen to your favorite CD while driving on the open road. My next car most likely will be another Acura, Cl or RL.. Jim

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  Great car to own - 2005 Acura TL
  By Dougcool - February 25 - 1:53 am

  I owned this car for a little over 7 months and I love it, but the only things is the ride is pretty stiff. If you like anythings thats smooth ride, then this is not the right vehicle to own. The performance and gas mileage is great. Im a pretty rough driver and I can get average 20-23 miles per gallon. The audio and navi is superb. I very recomended this car to everbody who can give up a little bit of stiffnes ride.

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  Wonderful Car - 1996 Acura Integra
  By dmsgsr - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I got my GSR with 12k miles on it. Ive just sold it for $12,000 with 70k miles! The car eats tires (because I drive it hard) but still had the original brakes! I replaced NOTHING in the car, including the battery! The only problems I had were the buzzing heat sheild on the exhaust and the rattling hatchback which the dealer fixed...

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  Acura CL Type S - 2001 Acura CL
  By rcmarsh - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, plenty of punch.