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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  A Pleasure to Drive - 1999 Acura CL
  By Brianx - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I was able to purchase my 1999 CL last year with remaining factory warranty and since it was Certified, I got an extra year, for a total of 3.3 years total waranty. Not that I have needed to use the warranty, it is just nice to have it, just in case. The car only had 4500 miles on it and was in excellent condition. I have been extremely impressed with the ride, handling, power, and pick-up with this car. It easily out performs my 1996 Maxima. The Maxima could not even come close to this car in MPG. And, I do not have to use Premium fuel with the CL, like I didwith the Maxima. This model is a bargain, especially if you can get one that is Certified.

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  Excellent Compromise Sedan - 2005 Acura TL
  By ron lebko - July 21 - 10:33 pm

  If you are too big for the Infiniti G35 cabin, yet want a performing sedan with high reliability, this is the car. Its not a rear driver, the auto selectshift isnt as good as std trans performance, but its a freeway cruiser for everyday tasks and fun to drive. Suspension is a bit too firm, and the automatic slows after 85 when punched to pass and the tires arent what they could have been if you got the Bridgestones, the seats are set a bit too low to get out of the car easily, and there are cabin area rattles sometimes. But nobody seems to have a better car on the market within 10 grand more with such roomy front cabin. And the electronics & sound are sweet.

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  Love My Vigor - 1993 Acura Vigor
  By Acura Fan in Ohio - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Acura/Honda product and as with the others I love my Acura Vigor. It is beautiful, dependable, quiet, powerful and built to last. It now has 187,000 miles on it and I am dreading trading it in on something newer. If anyone has opportunity to buy a low mileage Vigor, I say go for it!

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  Love My Acura - 1991 Acura Integra
  By al dente - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had very little trouble with this car. Beside brakes, mufflers, a timing belt and tires, I have spent money on only axle replacement (under $300) and a used part for the steering mechanism ($70). The car handles very well. All cars should be made as well.

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  Old Acura - 1990 Acura Integra
  By bitemebut - July 20 - 2:00 am

  you need to fill it up with oil & water a lot because it leaks, needs power steering fluid, horn doesent work.

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  Best New SUV Under $50K - 2007 Acura MDX
  By KC - July 19 - 8:36 pm

  As expected, Acuras attention to detail, outstanding quality and impeccable ergonomics live on. The overall interior quality is terrific. Love the handling prowess. Takes curves like a sports sedan - well, almost. Very good power once over 30 mph. Very smooth suspension compliance but so much that wallowing and pitch/rolls dominate; spot on blend of comfort and handling. Additionally, the navigation system is terrific and easy to use. The upgraded stereo system is awesome, and the rear view camera is great. Leather, sunroof and all the bells and whistles I could want. Comparably equipped X5 was $14K higher - no budging. Bottom line - best SUV available under $50K!

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  Drives itself - 2008 Acura MDX
  By martin Harris - July 19 - 8:04 pm

  Only weakness large blind spots

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  2003 w/ 260HP - Quality & Value - 2003 Acura MDX
  By stcamp - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Traded in Jeep Grand Cherokee for new MDX. One of the few cars dealerships are not giving away by discounting price or 0% financing which erodes resale value of car. Researched and test drove XC90, X5, Aviator, FX35, and though these cars had nicer interiors, the MDX resale value was better & depreciation was less! As a buyer, I had every dealership wanting my business, yet the Acura dealership made me feel "human" instead of feeling like I was lucky to be on their lot. With MDX increasing HP to 260, and avg. MPG around 20...the rest of the pack will have to keep up.

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  230,000 Miles - 1992 Acura Vigor
  By JD_from_GA - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought it as a lease turn in with 25,000 miles on it, and it ran GREAT for 205,000 more. My sister totaled it at 230,000+ miles and it was running like the day I bought it. I almost cried when the insurance wouldnt fix it. Im going to go right out and buy me another Acura. Only drawback was the small back seats and no cup holders.

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  whata car - 2003 Acura TL
  By TRS - July 18 - 2:16 pm

  The only thing keeping this car from going head to head with BMWs 330 is a six speed manual. This is a great car with clean lines and superb build quality. Im hooked, just give me the 6 speed next time.