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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  2005 ACURA REVIEW BY MIKE SCHWAB - 2005 Acura TL
  By michael schwab - March 17 - 5:26 pm

  GREAT VEHICLE WORKMANSHIP QUALITY INSIDE & AND OUTSIDE. ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING INTERIORS IN THE CAR INDUSTRY UNDER 60K. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM SETS THE STANDARD FOR ALL OTHERS TO BE JUDGED.

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  Awesome - 2002 Acura MDX
  By Flip MDX - March 15 - 6:33 am

  Strong acceleration, smooth ride, handles like a car, can really do above medium off roading, and only few have them

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  Best value for the price - 2005 Acura TSX
  By NJ_TSX - March 14 - 1:43 pm

  Having driven 1500 miles in less than a month since purchase, Ive enjoyed every minute of it. Buying experience was easy and without hassle. I particularly chose the TSX because of all the standard features at a fixed price. Driving experience is almost excellent, with a smooth engine combined with a buttery gearbox, but FWD dynamics and slightly harsh suspension. There could be some improvements (see below), but for the price, it cant be beat. Although it does not feel as solid as a VW, build quality if very high. Since its new, cannot fairly rate reliability. Fuel economy for the 4-cyl could be a bit higher. Overall, a solid sedan with important features at a low price.

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  Day 2 - 2004 Acura TL
  By Category Killer - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Day 2 of 04 TL ownership (traded 03 Type-S bought 3/02). Total value-play with this car. Bang for the buck second to none. When you study the lines of the car, its an elegantly carved wedge with gentle curves in the hood and deck lid to soften the edges. I like the styling of the 04 a lot. Options? We dont need no stinkin options. I drove the 6-speed as well and its a totally different car (a TOTAL blast to drive), and if it werent for the fact that I commute metro DC and that no one had the 6- speed w/o the summer only tires, Id have bought the TL6M. Torque steer not as apparent w/6M. Interior road noise - open the windows if you want some.

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  Upgrade from older TL worth it - 2005 Acura TL
  By Terry - March 9 - 5:03 pm

  Although the styling and ride took a while to brag about, owning the car for more than a month has definitely brought me around. The car is quick, quiet, handles like a go-cart, and has enough electronic goodies to please the biggest geeks. If you own a pre-2004 and are considering the 2005, you wont be disappointed.

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  Maybe not a German killer but one heck of a value - 2016 Acura ILX
  By jrasero - March 4 - 11:51 pm

  Just traded my 2016 RDX Base for the 2016 ILX Premium. Obviously I am loosing the utility and AWD of a RDX but gaining more features, slightly lower payment, better gas millage, and a car easier to park. Compared to the 1st gen the 2016 ILX is a huge improvement in every category. Looks while subjective are much better with a more pronounced front end and a less frump tail end. The amount of tech and features you get are way up from the 1st gen and the performance of the 2.4 direct injection 8 speed DCT is awesome. While the performance is much improved the car might be a tad racer boyish for some with its loud exhaust for those who prefer quiet luxury. The ILX isnt as luxurious and doesnt perform as well as the Lexus IS 200T, BMW 320i, Mercedes CLA250, Audi A3 but it costs thousands less (up to $10,000 less). I am leasing my ILX for 24 months but I negotiated my premium edition with a MSRP of $30k to $26,260. Furthermore the highest trim Tech with A-Spec only adds up to $35k, so is True* luxury really worth thousands of dollars? For me the ILX has just the right amount of luxury, tech, and value that I can ignore not having AWD, real wood accents, or a German branding. What I cant ignore is the back seats being a 1 piece fold down and not a 60/40 split and not having a pass through. Nor am I huge fan of the car requiring premium and the fact that AcuraLink only supports iOS! Also, while Acura would love to capture a young audience the base and base with AcuraWatch are pointless because the Civic Touring features and price beats those models. Acura you cant have you cake and eat it too, just sell the Premium and Tech Versions which still are reasonably priced at $30k-35k Msrp. The Premium with Blind Spot, cross traffic alert, real Milano leather, and the two tier screen system are worth every penny.

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  Tough Decisions!? Let Me Help! - 2006 Acura TL
  By Crocodile - March 4 - 1:20 am

  When I was searching for a new car, I was between a Maxima (biggest), Infiniti G35 (sportiest),Ford Fusion (cheapest) and the new TL. I did a lot of research online and as a result did a lot of "virtual kicking of the tires." My suggestion is, once you have narrowed down the field, go to the dealership and test drive the cars. When I went and looked at the Fusion, I noticed how underpowered and how poorly built it was. The Maxima is like a giant bathtub inside, with the center console miles away. The G35 coupe is fast but small, very small, with little storage. The best compromise was the TL, which had everything I wanted. Speed, looks, storage space, safety and great STANDARD features!

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  Perfect vehice - 2003 Acura MDX
  By flip - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I live In the Seirra Foothills, the MDX Is just right In terms Of comfort, safty and well It does have the best looks vs BMW Toyota etc. I had a 2001 Navi, (It was totaled)I own a 03 now. we were hit head on and walk away without any Injuries, so safe. In short.... an OUTSTANGING SUV period. Saved our life ???

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  Best in its class - 2005 Acura TSX
  By Best in its class - February 23 - 8:50 pm

  I am tired of reading all these reviews about how the tsx should have more horsepower and more features. Everyone always wants more. For the price, you cant find a better car in its class with as much standard features. If you want more horsepower, buy a TL. Stop complaining and enjoy your new tsx. This car is very lavish, and fun to drive. It gets pretty good gas mileage, and the standard sound system and XM are great. Overall very satisfied with the tsx. Would buy another one.

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  Rpleaced our Explorer - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Karicher - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Safe and fun to drive. Purchased due to reliability, safety ratings, traction and stability control systems. Plenty of interior room while not looking as big from outside.