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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  Amazing Car - 2010 Acura TL
  By Patrick - November 22 - 5:10 am

  Just spent the last 3 weeks researching cars, looking at cars, test driving etc. I stumbled on this one at a carshow and immediately was sold. Great exterior looks, great interior, plenty of room in both front and back (63" Driver). Quiet inside and very smooth drive. Black exterior with Ebony leather inside has lots of people walking by and taking a look.

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  I love my MDX - 2004 Acura MDX
  By shannon williams - November 22 - 2:00 am

  The MDX is an excellent SUV. The rear view camera is great for me when parking and the Navigation system is so easy to understand and use. The MDX gives you a comfortable ride, with seating capacity of seven adults, thanks to third row seat. The sound system is very enjoyable. My only regret now is that I did not get the DVD Entertainment System.

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  WOW MOM WOW - 2004 Acura TL
  By salut - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I searched long and hard for this car... One year, going through the Germans, the Japanese, and the Swedes... My top four were: TL, 93aero, 330i, and G35... Infinity hated the seats. Beemer 3k more and that red light under the rear view (ugh). Saab was also 2k more before any options. Acura winner best bang for the buck... Great car...

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  Great car at grea pric - 2004 Acura TL
  By hobster - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I have never had this much fun owning a new car. Performance is incredible. Sound system is incredible, ready for DVD-A discs. 5.1 sound is incredible in the car. Bluetooth cell phone technology is so cool. Interior layout is top notch and all materials are incredible. Drove 3-series, G35, and LS and I know I bought the best car (and is the lowest price!)

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  Good SUV design Possibly a bad year - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Max - November 20 - 2:37 pm

  At around 75000, my transmission went out and Ive pampered this car since purchase. Luckily still under warranty at the time. Acura says this is highly unusual, though judging from other comments here not exactly so. Have had to replace air vent controls as they keep popping off. I asked Acura as often as this was happening, was this a manufacturer/materials defect or just a poor design (2-piece clip-on). I suspect both. I would expect more from Acura particularly in parts design. All in all a great SUV in general. MPG is about average for SUVs.

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  Youthful yet Practical - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Mark - November 20 - 12:40 pm

  I couldnt see myself in a 4 door family car since I am only 22 but this car is awesome. The 6 speed is the smoothest tranny Ive ever driven and the high class style leaves nothing more to be desired. Outstanding ride, navi is a must, great handling, and of course great looks. Tint the windows and no one will ever call it a family car.

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  What a Hot Car - 2001 Acura CL
  By wsdyer - November 20 - 10:00 am

  The head and legroom is enough for me however for a person larger or taller than me 61 290# the ergonomics are for smaller people. That said - everything else is wonderful. The ride is as smooth as glass and the power transfer from the motion of my foot to "gettin on down the road is immediate. The tiptronics is fun to play with and the vtec engine is every bit of the 260 horsepower at 5500rpm. Excellent response, brakes are abs and stop you faster than I was ready for. The cost was higher than I wanted to pay but the curb appeal is magnetic. Ive only had her for a week so I dont have any long term data. But so far shes a blessing!!!!

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  Most car for the money - 2016 Acura RDX
  By James Jatczynski - November 18 - 2:23 pm

  The RDX probably isnt the best vehicle in the small luxury SUV category in any particular attribute, but it does score near the top in most attributes, and its that, combined with a price $10,000 or more lower than similarly equipped competition, that makes it a great buy as well as a very enjoyable vehicle. Weve found it very comfortable on a long road trip and around town. We also feel that the understated styling will endure over time without looking odd or dated.

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  Loved it... - 2008 Acura MDX
  By Satisfied - November 18 - 2:15 pm

  3 yr lease just expired...Id buy again. I absolutely loved this car. I prefer Honda or Toyota, Acura is my favorite. By the time I had equipped comparable vehicles (BMW, Lexus, actually), there was no comparison in price. Dont get me wrong, BMW and Lexus were fantastic, but about $8K more when comparably equipped. Leasing fit me...I drive 12,000/yr. Gas mileage was just as advertised...sometimes a mile or two better. The ONLY thing I didnt like was the giant shield design on the front...which is now apparently on all Acura vehicles.

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  3rd Acura - 2009 Acura TL
  By Ed - November 17 - 9:07 pm

  I previously drove a Nissan Maxima for 6 years, until I switched to Acura in 2003. Since then I have never looked back. The comfort and performance in the 2009 TL is incredible. I spend a lot of time in my car meeting with my customers so handling and comfort are very important. Having upgraded from the 2006 TL the difference is incredible. Acura has created the perfect balance between comfort and performance and thrown in all the bells and whistles.