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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  Nice car - 2016 Acura RDX
  By AN - April 14 - 6:26 pm

  Excellent all around. Steering a bit soft. Paddle shifter really smooth, and really helps in winter conditions

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  Very pleased-wonderful ride - 2002 Acura RL
  By S Davis - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my RL for a little over a week and logged many miles. It is very comfortable and responsive. I was actually able to do a little better than the 499 lease (495). They are only clearing inventories so there arent many colors to choose from on some lots. I dont think you would be disappointed with this purchase.

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  there are the good then the awesome - 2002 Acura NSX
  By bbdd - April 13 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome car!!!there are the good then the awesome

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  2005 Acura TL 6spd with Navi - 2005 Acura TL
  By Tomichi79 - April 12 - 10:46 am

  Fun to drive. Virtually no road noise. Very well designed and aesthetically pleasing. Flawless transmission. The dash is very modern, easy to read, and not too busy. This car has virtually EVERY feature you could possibly need - and more.

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  Xenon Headlights - 2001 Acura TL
  By npetey - April 12 - 2:00 am

  3 months ago, I would have told you that my Acura TL was the best, I absolutely loved it. Until recently. The newest thing in the New York area is stealing Acura TL 00-01 xenon headlights, possibly even 02. They fit into low rider honda civics, they are very expensive so stealing them is their 2nd option. Unfortunately Acura is not standing behind there products, they know about the problem butas of yet not finding a solution. I had my car back 4 wks and they stole them again. $1000 later in insurance deductables and $350 for an alarm...I am terminating my least early! When Acuras learns to stand behind their product, maybe I will think about buying another one...

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  Keeps on going - 2000 Acura Integra
  By Darren - April 11 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle for people under 510". Whenever I wear a baseball cap, the cap keeps hitting the sun visor. The radio is to far of a reach to change the channel comfortably. After a couple of years the antenna does not go up and down. My friend has a 1994 Integra which looks identical to mine and his antenna did the same thing. The integra is reliable, quick, fun in the turns but under powered @ 140 hp with an automatic.

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  great car - 1997 Acura CL
  By jbchickenhead - April 11 - 2:00 am

  the CL is an awesome car for the money. you get both the prestige of the acura label, and the dependability of a honda. ive had it for about 3 months now, and bought it with 58000 miles on it. it hasnt had one problem yet, and is a strong runner. it has a responsive original clutch, and is a smooth ride. it is a stylish luxury coupe, and overall, it is a great car!!

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  The best!! - 2004 Acura MDX
  By twilliama - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful SUV....I cant believe more people dont own an MDX. They are hands down the sharpest on the road. Drives like a sedan. Will keep this one!

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  my favorite drive - 2003 Acura TL
  By geekygirl - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I love my TL-S; just had it on a 800 mile road trip and it performed well, thumbs down on the MPG, but I didnt purchase it for MPG, either. Mine is black w/ gold trim and pinstripes,added shiny chrome whls. I enjoy driving it, also tested a new Maxima,,,didnt even rethink it....TL-S was for me!

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  just bought it - 2004 Acura TL
  By hugomarvin - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Spent the summer assessing the Audi A4, Lexus ES300, Infiniti G35 and Volvo S60. Decided to wait for the Acura TL, to be sure I would end up with a car that excited me(sportiness), and gave me a luxury feel. After driving the Acura, the decision was made. Cars I looked are all great vehicles; A4 is easily the most fun to drive, the Lexus is the most luxurious and possibly best built, G35 covered ground in both my critical criteria, but had a few too many quirky things, S60 fell short both on the sport and the luxury sides. Time will tell whether this was the correct decision.