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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  This car is a beast! - 2010 Acura ZDX
  By Eichler34 - November 3 - 2:00 am

  First my disclaimer: Ive taken this car on 2 lengthy test-drives and because we are a family of 5 we decided on the MDX over this. That being said, this car made me want to force the issue and try to cram 3 people in the back. The over-the-top bold and modern design inside and out must be seen in person to appreciate. The car drives incredibly smooth and quiet even in sport mode. The speed and handling are top notch, it has the most comfortable car seats Ive ever used, and they are heated and cooled seats, and the cooled seats are what luxury is all about, they work really well. The blind spot warning system is a must and works to perfection.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2003 Acura TL
  By TimK - November 3 - 2:00 am

  I research my cars thoroughly before I buy. As an engineer I appreciate good design and the Acura is excellent. I buy on performance, reliability, and styling in that order. What attracted me most was that it was the best performing car in its class according to Consumer Reports and it has not disappointed. Great acceleration with top mileage of about 30 mpg on the highway. Like many others it has had a new transmission but Acura covered the entire cost including an Acura loaner from the dealer. Ive had lots of good comments about the deep blue metallic color. 130,000 miles and going strong. On my second set of brakes and third set of tires.

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  Fun to drive - 2011 Acura RDX
  By KP - November 3 - 2:00 am

  So far, so good! Moved up from CR-V. The Acura has been fabulous to drive, very quiet and smooth. Interior is much more practical than CR-V and easier to adjust various things, and the engine/pick-up goes w/o saying. Exterior seems nice, get lots of compliments. Looked at Q5 and X3, for the money I think I got the best deal. Only complaint is the gas mileage. Yes, it is turbo charged, but a combined mpg around 23 would be more reasonable for a 4cy. On 5 tanks I get b/w 18-25mpg with 60% highway/40% city driving and not engaing the turbo charger as hard/often. Most weeks are lower end of range 18-20mpg. OEM tires seem OK so far, wont know for sure until Winter hits.

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  bad experience with this car - 2010 Acura TL
  By phan - November 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car 2 months ago, I was so disappoint,after a month the engine soound so lound and 7 weeks later the oil lead from the engine .they have to replace the transmission.I would never buy this car again.this is my first acura.I been drived BMW for 12 year.I can not wait to get back to my 535 bmw.

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  Acura MDX 2011 - 2011 Acura MDX
  By kbgcpa - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Picked up 2011 Acura MDX on Saturday after trying to get a good deal on a 2010 but dealership made me a good offer. Had a Lexus RX 330 and then 350 for the last six years. Glad I switched needed more room but still wanted luxury. Drive is very powerful and I actual like the front grill which I could not stand at first. The buttons are very easy to get used to just use the tutorial online.

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  Love My 99 RL at 250K+ Miles! - 1999 Acura RL
  By samantha - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my RL for a little over three years. Currently, I have a little over 250k miles on it and have never had to replace anything major! Except for when my husband accidently put $20 worth of diesel in it and even then only had to have the fuel system cleaned out. I had an 04 Camry before I got the Acura and even though its 5 years older, I love the RL way more! I now have two toddlers the trunk is huge, but with a bulky double stroller theres not room for anything else. Im looking to buy a new car in about four months and am leaning toward the MDX. I have vowed to stay faithful to Acura, knowing that Ill have a reliable vehicle I can count on and will last me forever!

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  TSX - 2005 Acura TSX
  By bubba - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Have over 170,000. A few problems, power locks, rear suspension (tow out), but for the miles and fuel mileage a fantastic auto. Navigation is outstanding, interior is of best quality. May buy anothr but only after 300,000 on this one.

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  Fantastic vehicle, but a few quirks... - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Kat - November 2 - 2:00 am

  We love our Acura. However, after putting about 10,000 miles on it during a cross-country move, we have found a few disappointing features. The leather seats are showing more "wear & tear" than I would expect for a vehicle this age. The leather quality in my Subaru is far better! The leather has pulled up from the center console and is loose. The radio is a bit quirky, as it resets the radio stations randomly to the factory settings (and no, its not because of the Driver 1 & Driver 2 keys). The paint seems to chip VERY easily. A beautiful car altogether, though, and a smooth ride that easily pulled a large U-haul trailer through the Rocky Mountains!

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  MDX is awesome! - 2011 Acura MDX
  By Chae - November 2 - 2:00 am

  MDX is my third time car. I got impressed by the new technology of this car. I could feel this car gives me a very comfortable and fast reactiong driving time while I am in the car. I cant believe this is SUV. Especially when I make turnings on curved roads, this car gives me real safe turnings well-balanced, smooth, and fast. And the navigation technology is so wonderful that I am not afraid of visiting anywhere I have never been to. Also, the sound system of this car is very very cool! I feel like I am in a theater while I watch a DVD. My Kids love watching DVD in this car sooo much. No doubt!

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  Acura MDX 2001 - 2001 Acura MDX
  By leslie ingle - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used from a dealer with app 40k miles on it. Was great for a couple of years and then at 95k, I had to have the transmission replaced. Acura did replace because of recall and I only paid a $400 labor charge. Very disappointed that now at 145k miles I am hearing the same noise and know it is again the transmission. I will never by another Honda or Acura. I have owned Toyotas previously and never had any major problems. Going back to Toyota but in the meantime I feel stuck with this car. Cant sell it with a faulty transmission and do not want to pay for new one.