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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  You Get Your Moneys Worth w/this Car!!! - 1996 Acura Integra
  By DTMus - December 21 - 8:54 pm

  Bought this new. After 180K I can tell you that this car was made INCREDIBLY well!!! The stories you hear about Acura r true. Other than having to replace the radiator, Ive done nothing vs. an occasional tune up and the usual (change clutch at 140K, timing belt, brakes, etc.). Engine and transmission have worked flawlessly since day one and still very responsive and peppy. Only "gripe" is that parts of the paint have started to bubble up and show its age, but heck, it IS 15 yrs old. If youre looking for a well-made car that will STILL serve you well- then look no further.

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  GSR V-TECH - 1998 Acura Integra
  By ACURA!!!!!! - December 19 - 11:23 pm

  I absolutely love my Acura!!! This has to be the best car Ive owned! The driving is outstanding. Such a smooth, quiet ride and is so much fun to drive. Never had any problems and dont think I will for a very long time.

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  A perfect 10 - 2010 Acura TSX
  By nonlinear - December 18 - 10:03 pm

  Could be one of the best bangs for your buck for this year and possibly forever! Acura has finally figured out what just about every driver wants in a luxury sedan. The car offers a little bit of everything to just about anyone who has ever wanted a car with that perfect combination of options. The TL is also a great car as well as the RDX and MDX. But the TSX combines style with logic and poof there you have it, the perfect 10.

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  Acura TL - 2006 Acura TL
  By paynesters - December 18 - 10:10 am

  Before buying this car, I test drove the G35, CTS, ES, 330i, and Mercedes C. All of these vehicles are very much on their game, but the TL edged them out for me. 258 horses and 233 pounds feet torque, the only option is whether or not you want the TL with Nav, and what type transmission you desire. Price wise with all the same options, the competition could not compete. This car handles like a dream, and man is it quiet. I wish the information screen was placed in the Nav screen, and the now famous key fob was an option. I will tell you, if you are in the market for a Luxury Sedan without breaking the bank, the TL is more than worth a look!

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  Started out Infiniti ended up Acura - 2010 Acura TL
  By Fran Sullivan - December 17 - 9:16 pm

  Test drove the base and SH-AWD Acura TL. The SH-AWD, right out of the gate was just smiles. The base driving experience was not the same. Competent but no fun. My teenage expert agrees the acura has a better feel and the tech stuff really is impressive. I bought a white TL with Umber leather. The wife claims it is a mans car (I can live with that). I am getting 23 MPG with a light foot. Fun driving results in 18 MPG. Get the tech package. Honda does that right.

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  Amazing - 2001 Acura CL
  By Sebastian - December 17 - 5:26 pm

  I have 254,681 miles on my CL and it runs like a dream! I bought it used in 2004 and it had just around 100,000 miles on it then. Im not sure what the guy before me did to it in respect to repairs and such but I have not had one problem with the engine since I have had it. I replaced a bearing once and have had some trouble with the electrical... my volume turns up when I turn it down sometimes haha, but its still an amazing car. The stereo is sick! I love the car.

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  07 MDX / Tech pkg. - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Don - December 17 - 3:25 pm

  I bought a new MDX in 02 and was very happy with it. The few things I didnt like were resolved in the 07 redesign. For a sport ute Im happy with the ride quality, reduced road noise, seat comfort, power and handling. At 38 K miles the AC quit but was repaired under warranty. The 1st of 4 Acuras to ever go in the shop for a repair. I dont like the vertical spoke at the bottom of the steering wheel where my hands want to rest on long drives. I think its a bargain relative to the price of the BMW or Porsche.

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  Really enjoy car thus far - 2010 Acura TL
  By Brian - December 17 - 3:05 pm

  Ive driven my 6-speed manual for over a month now. Love the performance. So much fun to drive. Engine sounds sweet. Im tall (6-5") and no problem with head or leg room. Have had some comfort issues with the headrest still trying to adjust everything. Otherwise the seats "hug" you, which is great. The AWD handles fantastically corners like its on rails. Like the tech system for the most part still learning it. Traffic and weather are nice features. The exterior design is fine despite what the editors say. Like the HID headlights. Gas mileage overall is lower 20s but what do you expect with a 305hp engine - 35mpg? Yeah right. Really like the car and enjoy it immensely.

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  Fantastic car - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Matt - December 17 - 10:39 am

  I absolutely love this car. I have only had it 4 months, but I could not be happier. It drives like a dream, much sportier IMO than the TL and is just as comfortable. I love the exterior and interior styling. I drove both the TL and TSX and picked the TSX as it was more familiar to me coming from an Integra and was a bit cheaper with better gas mileage. I made the right choice for me. I do wish the gas mileage was a bit better around town. Kinda low for a 4cyl.

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  Loved this car... - 2000 Acura Integra
  By Matt - December 17 - 10:35 am

  I owned two Integras, first a 1995 that I wrecked in college in 1998, then this 2000 that I just totaled a few months ago (not my fault). The car is about perfect for what it is: a sporty car that is supposed to be fun to drive, provide good performance for the price (and tremendous upgradability), and an entry-level "luxury car". It was a blast to drive on short commutes on windy roads and got incredible gas mileage (up near 40 on highway trips), however, it would get very uncomfortable on long drives, at least as I approached 30. :)