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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  Love it - 1993 Acura Vigor
  By mlsly4 - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Honda and I absolutely LOVE IT. The power is great, stereo system sound is great and the way it handles is unbelievable.

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  Nothing comes close for the price - 2002 Acura RL
  By Satire - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my fifth Honda product (just gave up a 99 TL, had a 97 CL, 93 Accord Coupe & a 1985 Accord hatchback). Couldnt make up my mind between the RL, TL Type-S or wait for months for an MDX. Looked at several others. Got mine (w/o navi) for $35,500. The smoothness & the handling is surprisingly better than expected. Price & value won out. But am disappointed in a few things (see below). I must bring this up now as its the most amazingly stupid thing Ive ever seen......just what the heck is this push the close button twice on the sunroof thing all about?!?!? Love the one touch open but not the hold, release & hold again to get it fully closed. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

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  2004 Acura MDX Fast & Fun - 2004 Acura MDX
  By bigJoe - July 6 - 2:00 am

  The Acura with Mitsu tires drives like a dream. The unit is quiet, starts and accelerates very quickly and smoothly. I liked the fact that its the only SUV with the governments ultra clean engine certification. The other thing I like about acura is theres only a few options.. most eveything is standard. Dual exhaust looks sharp I got the optional side boards for an added touch. excellent paint and fit and a standard sunroof are a plus. Front wheel drive with auto 4 wheel makes it sure footed in slipery weather.

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  Bad Start - 2004 Acura MDX
  By snobny - July 6 - 2:00 am

  After buying my car on Saturday night, Monday afternoon I was going home from work when my car wouldnt start. I ended up haveing it towed to the nearest Acura dealership. This is my second MDX and never had a problem with my first one. I ended up haveing a new navigation system, a whole new computer and ect. put in my car after 300 miles. Acura did take care of me by giving me a car to drive in the mean time, but it just wasnt the same. Now, everythings okay just got off to a bad start.

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  one week old 2004 TL - 2004 Acura TL
  By markian - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I was driving a 2002 Lexus ES300. I had no plans on getting rid of this car until I test drove the 2004TL. This is the most amazing car that I have ever driven. The power and handling are incredible. The surround sound systems using the DVd-A blows away the Mark Levinson in my ES300. I have been driving for 29 years and this is everything that I have looked for in a car. I could never find the optimal car at an optimar price for myself. This time I have. Acura you have really done it and I am really impressed.

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  Acura 04 TL 5AT - 2004 Acura TL
  By gregory28 - July 6 - 2:00 am

  The car handles very well; it has good road feel and corners turns "sports car like". It is very attractive inside and out. The interior has some luxury refinements that cars costing much more have only had in the past. At 33k it is a terrific value. The reliabilty of Acuras are among the best in the world. The BMW 5 series was the bench mark apparently and it doesnt fall very short on the handling capabilities and luxury these German cars afford. This car is priced $10+k less and is expected to not spend much time getting service like its German counterpart.

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  New Owner Loving it - 2004 Acura TL
  By Garbs92629 - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Car is all that I imagined and more. I am a previous TL owner and the only thing lacking from the older model was a more Euro Style. I think they achieved it. Plus the interior is much better looking and the seats are incredible.

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  188 MDX - 2002 Acura MDX
  By megabuck2 - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Had a chance for a long drive from the SF area to L.A and comfort and driveability was excellent. Engine was strong in passing as well as climbing the "Grapevine". The seats were comfortable during the 6+ hours of driving. HVAC was set and forgotten and kept the cabin nice a cool, navigation system helped to find my hotel. Bose system, I enjoyed it immensely during the trip. However, it seems the radio was weak in getting and holding onto radio signals. The road noise was kept to minimum but the wind noise was annoying. It was not "LOUD" but loud enough force me to turn the volume up on the stereo to enjoy Eric Clapton.

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  acura 3.2 tl type-s - 2003 Acura TL
  By Dennis Cutrer - July 5 - 10:00 am

  This automobile is alot of bang for the buck. I considered the BMW 330i, but theyre a little pricey. The Acura 3.2tl type-s has everything to offer at a very reasonable price. I recommend this car for the family that appreciates perfomrance and comfort all rolled into one vehicle.

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  Great car - 2005 Acura TSX
  By cliff - July 5 - 4:03 am

  I love the car. I traded in a sports car for it and thought I would miss it. I was wrong. I travel a lot and the navigation system is well worth the money. The audio system rocks! Handles great on the freeway. The interior is very comfortable.