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:

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2011 Acura RDX
  By Bert - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Excellent service and thorough sales expertise and follow-up. Bob, (internet sales) at Clinton Acura, is an excellent sales person, who takes the time to explain all the features of the vehicle and provided full support throught he sales and after- sales process. The RDX is a great vehicle and performs well on the road. Great pick-up and handling for an SUV.

• 

  Roof Rattle - 2010 Acura TL
  By John - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Rattle in the area of forward roof or moon roof area. Had the car to the dealer 3 xs for the same problem. They had the car for 4 days working on the problem. They corrected it by spraying some type of form between outer and iner roof. The rattle is back again (2 months later) worse this time and more so when the sun shade is back and weather is cooler. Going back to the dealer again next week. The rattle and noise is so annoying that you dont enjoy the car. For the price of this car not real happy.

• 

  Acura RL Luxury with Technology - 2010 Acura RL
  By Alden - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased the Acura 2010 RL with the Technology Package. I am extremely pleased with this decision. In my opinion, it is a true luxury car with great agility, plenty of power, fun to drive, and many extras that exceed expectations. The wood and leather steering wheel, blue highlighted instrument panel, cool and heated ventilated seats, voice commands to control almost every interior function with the option of easily making manual choices, a very high tech navigation system, and very comfortable seats with a lot of leg, shoulder, and head room. For the money, it is the best luxury car on the market.

• 

  best crossover Ive owned - 2011 Acura RDX
  By h.mason - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd suv, Ive had a Morono and a Pathfinder. The power is great handling is carlike.I cant believe this 4 banger be so quite.Gas mileage is poor and high test are the only drawbacks.

• 

  2008 base TL - 2008 Acura TL
  By David - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I owned Acura TL 2008 new. Currently, it has 51300 miles and the check engine on. Brought to dealer (Open road acura on route 18 East Brunswick, NJ) they found codes:P0701 and P0704, cleared codes. After 24 h, the light is on again. I bought an OBD device checked with codes: P0300, P0301, P0304, P0306, P0701 and P0704. How could the dealer tech. missed these codes? The car have been at dealer since Nov. 10, 2010 and now Nov. 22, 2010. The car have not been fixed. Dealer told me they contacted Acura tech. but no solution. Acura tech couldnÂ’t solved their on creation?

• 

  Acura Stinks - 2002 Acura TL
  By Steve - November 21 - 2:00 am

  Be careful of the self dimming mirrors. Bought mine used from a family member with 60000 miles. The mirrors actually have an acid in them. They will leak acid all over your shift lever and the trim (real nice) and melt it. Tranny had the recall done and I am starting to notice problems with it now (currently 68000 original miles). Customer service has got to be the worst in the country. i have had better customer service at a local Sonic drive in. Will never buy another Honda product ever again. The Brakes stink also. The rotors warped and replaced with after market parts and is fone now. Did the work myself and was pretty easy.

• 

  The test of time - 1994 Acura Integra
  By Brian - November 20 - 2:00 am

  bought this car with 66K miles on it it was owned by a family member who took care of it. I have taken care of it and have driven it hard many many time i have strapped kayaks on top (three) and have trailered as many as 10...people laugh at me when i show up with this car laden with boats...but it has stood-up. This sets the bar for reliability for all other cars. With 147K miles on it, i have bought another car for replacement...but think i will hang on to it yet for the sheer fun of driving it. They just dont make them like this anymore

• 

  99 LS - 1999 Acura Integra
  By M2carlover - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1999. Its the best car Ive ever owned! Ive had it 11 years, it has 90,000 miles and knock on wood - keeps on running!

• 

  Best Sport Compact Car in its Class - 2003 Acura RSX
  By JayJayPG - November 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 03 Type S for over 6 years and will most likely be keeping this car for another 6+ years. It really is the best all around FWD sport compact car out there. I always get complements on its appearance due to the A-Spec package mine was installed with from the factory (body kit, rear wing, aluminum shift knob, sport suspension, 17" wheels). I have never had a major mechanical problem with this car and it still drives like it did 6 years/50,000 miles ago. The only issue I have ever had with my RSX- S is a squeaky/notchy clutch pedal (which is easily remedied by spraying white lithium grease on the master cylinder pushrod).

• 

  IM IN LOVE! - 2010 Acura TL
  By IM IN LOVE! - November 18 - 2:00 am

  Never ever been in love with a car before this one. Its just beautiful inside and out. Love its controversial looks, high tech interior and smooth, fast ride. I just love it.