All Acura Cars: In 1986, Honda introduced its high-end Acura brand to the US market. As of 2016, the luxury automaker had sold 4.2 million cars there. In recent years, the company has regularly sold between 150,000 and 200,000 cars yearly, with more than half of those sales occurring in America.
Only North America is home to all Acura cars sales; comparable Honda models are offered in other areas under the Honda brand. Honda was the first Japanese automaker to launch a premium brand on its own; Nissan and Toyota both launched Lexus in 1989.
Although Honda was the first to launch a luxury brand of its own, it has been slow to produce an electric car under the Acura name. Last December, Acura shops started accepting deposits for the ZDX, the brand’s first electric vehicle. Let’s take a deeper look at five of Acura’s most opulent cars spanning nearly 40 years of manufacturing, as that high-performance crossover approaches.
Legend
The first-generation Legend set the bar for comfort, premium materials, and features in Japanese-made cars of the time, even if expectations for luxury have come a long way since its introduction. The first all Acura carsvehicle was the Legend, which debuted in March 1986. It was equipped with Honda’s first-ever V6 engine, a 2.5-liter, 151-horsepower SOHC engine with multi-port fuel injection. This was a significant advancement at a time when even other high-end vehicles relied on carburetors. With double wishbones up front and a four-wheel independent suspension, the Legend rode smoothly and switched gears using a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox.
Along with a powered 4-way driver’s seat and side mirror defoggers, the L trim level adds leather-trimmed seats, door panels, and the steering wheel. The Legend L’s engine was increased to 2.7 liters in 1988, and anti-lock brakes were included as an option.
The top-tier LS trim variant also came with a 10-way motorized driver’s seat. The driver’s side airbag became standard on all Legends the next year, and the rear suspension was changed to double wishbones. The center console had a complete facelift in 1991 after walnut trim was added in 1990. Although the Legend was discontinued after the 1995 model year and was replaced by the 3.5 RL, it paved the way for Acura’s success in the years that followed.
RL
Between 1996 to 2004, the 3.5 RL was produced, acting as a transitional vehicle between the Legend and Acura’s 21st-century vehicles. For the 2004 model year, the model name’s numerical element was removed, and the second-generation RL—which would be produced from 2004 to 2008—got some luxury and technology additions to go along with its new emblem. In addition to the normal five-speed automatic gearbox and leather seats, the interior included a six-disc CD changer and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. An eight-inch entertainment screen with a navigation system based on DVDs was also mounted on the dash.
Through the use of limited-slip differentials on both axles and a clever all-wheel drive system, the 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 290 horsepower and 256 foot-pounds of torque. Performance was unaffected by these upgrades either, as the 2008 RL achieved a respectable 6.7-second 0-60 time and a top speed of 160 mph.
Improved noise-canceling sound system and new, more adjustable chairs were features of the 2009 model year version that came after. An additional feature that was years ahead of its time was an active braking collision avoidance system.
MDX
Using the same Honda Global platform as the Accord and Odyssey, all Acura cars debuted the MDX in 2001. With its 3.5-liter V6 engine and automatic 4WD system that sensed traction loss, the MDX also offered a full-time 4WD mode that the driver could choose. Starting with the second generation of MDXs in 2007, all of them came equipped with a sunroof and leather seats as standard equipment. New safety features like collision avoidance systems and adaptive cruise control were also introduced to that generation. 2014 saw the release of the third generation, which had a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
For the 2022 model year, the MDX received yet another significant makeover, and the most recent iteration is the most opulent of the four. With a 12.3-inch infotainment and navigation system, a 12-inch digital dashboard, 16-way adjustable front seats, and a 16-speaker sound system, the new MDX is designed with luxury from the ground up. More than a million MDX have been sold since its launch, demonstrating its popularity.
TLX
all Acura cars being luxury carmakers are required to offer an entry-level vehicle, which is the TLX for all Acura cars. It debuted in 2015, taking the place of the recently discontinued TL. The TLX’s front-wheel drive, 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 280 horsepower when it was in base grade. There was also a Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) variant available. In 2018, the TLX received a complete makeover, which included updated styling, more extensive driver-assist features, and several sporty additions. One of the most notable changes was to the drivetrain options, with the base trim receiving a relatively sensible 2.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower, and the top-tier option receiving a 3.5-liter V6 monster producing 290 horsepower.
In 2021, all Acura cars gave the TLX another makeover, swapping out the base model’s 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine for a 272 horsepower one. Acura has added new capabilities to the AcuraWatch driver assistance system and multidirectional cameras to enhance the everyday journey. Along with aesthetic upgrades, the company added padded armrests, soft leather seats, and an onboard WiFi connection to the cabin.
ZDX
Not the first all Acura cars to sport the ZDX insignia—that honor was bestowed upon a gas-powered hatchback crossover between 2010 and 2013. The impending electric SUV is no exception. During its brief existence, the original ZDX only managed to sell 5,544 units despite luxury features and a crossover form factor that looked forward. The 2013 Acura ZDX was loaded with features; even the base model included a 435-watt sound system and heated and cooled front seats. On the relatively modest hatchback, lane departure and collision warning systems were also standard.
As said, the original ZDX was short-lived. But with the introduction of its first battery-electric car, all Acura cars hope to breathe new life into the marque. The new 2024 ZDX EV is currently accepting reservations; base pricing is $64,500, with performance models topping $70,000. Honda is currently working with General Motors to build the new electric ZDX as part of their continuous plan to manufacture entirely electric cars by 2040.
NSX
Acura’s foray into the supercar market with the NSX began in 1990, and the car has consistently lived up to the high-end reputation of the logo it bears on its bonnet. Through a collaboration with the Italian engineering firm Pininfarina, the original NSX was created.
It had a rather minimalist cockpit, a body style influenced by Formula 1, and a mid-mounted V6 engine producing 270 horsepower. Power-adjustable leather seats and a GPS navigation system were among the interior improvements brought forth by the initial update, which debuted in 2001 and included a stronger engine. After being discontinued in 2005, the NSX made a comeback in 2015 with a hybrid drivetrain that generated 573 horsepower overall and an even more opulent interior.
The NSX provided a pleasant ride and a respectable amount of cockpit amenities, especially when compared to supercar norms. The 2022 model came complete with integrated navigation, compatibility with Apple and Android, and even a few USB ports. It achieved an unprecedented 21 mpg in a supercar thanks to its hybrid powertrain. Performance-wise, it was equally impressive, with a top speed of 191 mph and a 0–60 time of less than 3 seconds. Regretfully, Honda discontinued making the NSX following the 2023 model year.