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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  Great Car to Drive - 2003 Acura TL
  By Osaze - July 22 - 2:00 am

  The TL S type is really a sports car that has been somewhat tweaked to perform as a luxury seadan. But wait, there are reservations. This car provides tremendous road feel through its torque sensitive steering and rather stiff suspension. The one reservations is that you really feel those road bumps come right into the cabin as you drive. However, the suspension keeps you always connected to the road and the front of the car tracks every road surface undulation at its subtlest. Great car for the sport enthusiast, but stay away those who feel that this car will smooth out every bump in the road like a Lexus.

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  The Intelligent BMW - 2005 Acura TL
  By Mo - July 21 - 11:00 pm

  This is a truly awe-inspiring vehicle. It is a mobile testimony to the ability of mankind to refine the daily commute to a work of artestry. Prior to our purchase of the TL, we gave consideration to the G35, BMW 3-Series, and Lexus ES 330. The TLs larger size, long list of standard features, and reliability factor won out.

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  Great lease deal - 2016 Acura TLX
  By Yoav Cohen - July 21 - 5:39 am

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  AMAZING CAR! - 2006 Acura TSX
  By Cadu - July 18 - 5:16 am

  The car is just amazing. The engine is awesome and there is no noise from the engine. I just traded my 2003 Audi A4 for the 2006 Acura TSX...and i dont regret at all. The car is Perfect!

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Acura RSX
  By Aunsue - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I have thoroughly enjoyed this car and everything about it. I have not had any mechanical problems, just standard maintence like oil changes and rotating and balancing the tires. I have found that it is easy to drive, and so has everyone else who has driven it. It is a great car.

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  Great Value - 2004 Acura MDX
  By mca_kirk - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Incomparable value; real competitors want $5-10 more; MANY standard features that are available only as options on competing vehicles.

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  Not What I Expected - 2003 Acura TL
  By Dean206 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Convinced to trade new, 1.5 month old, gorgeous 03 Maxima SE on new 03 Acura TL. Each day since purchase, (6 months ago) Ive regretted purchasing the 03 TL. Maxima was much faster, thrill to drive; loved engine, exterior, interior (everything). Honestly dont care for the Acura at all (engine, interior, exterior). Acura rides rough, and is sluggish relative to Maxima. Sometimes bump head (only 60" tall) when getting in (even with seat at lowest point). Loved the last Acura Legend, but 03 TL falls short. No complaints about reliability, but I plan to get a 2003 Maxima this year (dont like look of 2004 Maxima).

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  UNBELIEVABLE - 2004 Acura TL
  By THEMEMPHISDOC - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I WAS LOOKING FOR A SPORTS CAR LIKE A VETTE, BUT I NEEDED THE REAR SEATS. I DROVE THE BMW 5, THE C AND E CLASS MERCEDES,AND THE INFINITY G35 BUT I WASNT IMPRESSED. I WENT TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP JUST FOR FUN TO LOOK AT THE NSX. THATS WHEN I SAW THE TL. ITS A PERFECT BALANCE OF SPORT, PERFORMANCE, AND LUXURY. IVE HAD IT FOR A MONTH NOW AND IM STILL LOOKING FOR REASONS TO GO SOMEWHERE JUST TO DRIVE.

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  Excellent - 2005 Acura TL
  By Eli Manresa - July 16 - 2:36 pm

  Very nice extirior style, good performance, lacks touge but pretty fast great braking and stopping

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  Acura MDX - 2004 Acura MDX
  By jyork - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Very satisfied with car. It meets my needs and knowing Acura quality I own with confidence. Good handling vehicle, pleasant to drive. Since I am 75 years old I enjoy the ride and the way it handles.