Acura

If you’re a big fan of Honda but you’re in the market for a more premium, high-end vehicle, then the Japanese automaker’s performance and luxury division, Acura, could be your next best bet. Acura’s cars stormed the US market 1986 but the thunder and lightning of their intrigue slowly waned with the rise of the premium marques of other mainstream automakers such as Toyota and Nissan, with Lexus and Infiniti, respectively. Like most premium vehicles, Acuras present meticulously balanced performance and ride qualities, plenty of inclusive features, and a sense of exclusivity. America is brimming with exclusive brands nowadays and even Acura’s best cars may not match up to the many offerings out there. What does have them stand out, however, is their Honda-derived quality and reliability and their high-value appeal as some of the most affordable offers in the classification.

Types of Acura Body Styles

There aren’t many different types of Acura body styles, but those that there are, cater specifically to the appeal of the luxury segment, with the last on this list being discontinued:

• Sedan
• SUV
• Coupe
• Wagon

The Acura Lineup

The Acura lineup is relatively sparse in comparison to those of more mainstream automakers. The entire range is comprised of only six fundamentally different nameplates:

• ILX: The ILX is a subcompact sedan and the entry point to the manufacturer’s lineup. This Acura, as a low-cost option, sports a stylish but straightforward exterior aesthetic but also a rather cheap in-cabin impression. The 2.4-liter inline-four engine that powers the front wheels of the sedan feels a little underpowered especially at low speeds. This isn’t a driver’s car, however, but a leisure cruiser that’s packed with creature comforts.
• TLX: This midsizer offers passengers added comfort and more in-cabin room. There’s an all-new version of the TLX proffered for the 2021 model year featuring a better selection of engines, a fresh architecture, and a more contemporary interior. A 2.0-liter turbo-four VTEC unit supplies base trims while the Type S variant is equipped with a 3.0L turbocharged V6. An FWD system is standard across the board while the automaker’s signature SH-AWD setup is optional.
• RLX: As the badge's only full-size offering, the RLX completes the trifecta of Acura sedan models. Under its hood is a 3.5-liter V6 mill tethered to a ten-speed auto gearbox and FWD. It’s half a decade old coming into 2020 and unfortunately, it just doesn’t hold up against its key rivals as a bland, uninspiring, and outdated performer that still carries a pretty high cost.
• RDX: With a $37k starting price, this Acura is the most inexpensive pick from the SUV selection. It’s a handsome and value-packed family cruiser, sporting a modern exterior design and all the necessities of an ideal daily runabout. Its turbo-four mill proves rather punchy around town, too, and the ute handles impressively altogether. It is, however, rather thirsty for such a diminutive powertrain when you compare it to others in the segment.
• MDX: There are two types of MDX SUVs proffered from the badge, a gasoline-fed one, and a Sport Hybrid. It’s the best-selling utility from the marque’s range, boasting a robust powertrain, an array of passenger-centered specs and conveniences, and three, comfy rows of seating. There are a handful of trims on offer, too.
• NSX: Rated as the sixth-best supercar and the third-best two-seater coupe by CarBuzz, the NSX delivers high-end, perfected performance for the driving enthusiast. Roaring at the helm is a 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 hybridized motor with 573 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an automated transmission and sends outputs to all four wheels.

Price of Acura Models

What to Consider Before Buying

In CarBuzz’s buyer’s guide and shopping tools section, there are reviews on every new and used vehicle that’s for sale in the USA. So be sure to browse through the Acura reviews and check out the BuzzScore ratings accorded to each of Acura’s latest models. We readily list each nameplate’s core competitors, provide information on prices, specs, and more, and layout pictures, too, all so that easy comparisons can be made. Before purchasing your new Acura, we also recommend first taking a few out for a test drive to get a complete sense of what you’re actually searching for.

FAQs About New Acura Cars and Models