what is an Acura?

Answer 1

Acura is a brand name used by the Japanese car manufacturer Honda in the US, Canada and Hong Kong since March 1986 to market luxury automobiles and near-luxury vehicles. The brand was introduced to Mexico in 2004 and to the Chinese market in 2006. It is also planned to extend Acura to the Japanese domestic market in 2008. With the Acura brand, Honda is credited with being the first to tap into a market for luxury Japanese cars outside Japan. Before Acura, automobiles exported from Japan were primarily economical in design and largely targeted at low-cost consumers.

Answer 2

Where to start, where to start...

Acura = Expensive Honda, but that's where it ends. To some, Acuras are rebranded Hondas, some are true, but little is known that Acura is actually more American than a Japanese brand as there are models which are researched and developed by Acura itself and not a rebranded Honda, I will explain it later on, but let's start a trip down memory lane.

Honda decided in 1986 that America is ripe land to sew the seeds of high content high margin product such as a luxury car. So in a bold move like any gold digger that came to the wild west in the old time, they open a small numbers of dealership across the states using the monicker of Acura, a luxury brand.

Spearheading this move is 2 of the highest grade sedan Honda had back then, which is the Legend and the Integra. The Legend was an enlarged Accord with a more upscaled interior, and the Integra, well, they are medium size sedan with fresher look than the Civic. Both models are imported directly from Japan, Honda rebranded both cars to Acura. Acura was established as a brand which sells luxurious cars but with an attitude, as their cars are able to perform not just run of the mill comfort couch on 4 wheels. The Integra multiplies this notion by a whole lot, not only does it feature exhilarating performance, but also practicality and drivability, something that isn't offered back then.

However, all is not fine when the big boss at Honda started to worry that the Integra and Legend name is starting to take over the Acura brand recognition. People only knew Integra and Legend, not Acura, and because both cars are rebranded Honda. the bosses feared that it will dilute the Acura brand. In a another bold move, Acura changed the name of Legend and Integra to RL and RSX. This moved was criticized heavily by the media, but to me, this is expected as if they don't do it, there will be confusion in the long run of mixing Honda and Acura products.

The mid 1990s is an interesting time for Acura as it started to widen its portfolio. Acura Vigor is introduced as a "bridge" product to fill the gap between Integra and Legend, content and price wise. The car is not Japanese brand because it was developed by Honda Europe, that's why it has kind of "weird" engine, an inline-5, not the usual inline-4 or V-6 which all Honda and Acura used before. The Legend coupe was waved from the portfolio but it was replaced by the CL which was designed in America. The Vigor which flopped was replaced by the TL which was also designed in America.

The new millennium also marked a massive change inside the Acura body. After a slew of made in America, they went back to Honda HQ to ravage around and found new Legend and Accord Euro R concept. The new Legend was incorporated directly to Acura product line as the new RL, and the Accord Euro R concept was incorporated as the TSX. The RL and the new Legend shares everything, so it's the same product minus a few gadgets, but the TSX is very different than the Accord Euro R. The TSX uses 2400cc engine with 200bhp, whereas the Euro R uses 2000cc engine with 210bhp. This seems much, but the TSX has more torque and can be used as a daily driver without too much hassle.

Aside from both the TSX and RL, Acura still strive with made in America move, which resulted in the RDX and MDX. The RDX was even born from the streets of America. Its project leader tested the turbo engine that is going to be used on the RDX on the streets of America.

This made in America notion actually is not a simple one, Acura did it because Honda did it. Element, Pilot, Odyssey, Accord coupe, Civic coupe, and Ridgeline are all pure made by American for America. Off course the project leaders have to send a report to the Japanese HQ, but the design process are purely American Honda Motor own doing.

Some might bash Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti platform sharing as re badging term, but that is oh so far from true. Acura RDX and Honda new CR-V uses the same platform. However, one uses high torque turbo engine with SH-AWD, and one uses mild engine with a simple 4WD system. First of all, the RDX chassis needs reinforcement to handle the torque jump, the car's underside also needs a major structural change as the SH-AWD is bigger than the simpler Honda 4WD system.

Rebadging has been a stigma for quite a long time, and this might be the case which Lexus is having in Japan. Lexus brand is not welcomed by a whole lot because well, they just rebadge a Toyota into a Lexus and boost the price up. This is why Honda is going to introduce Acura mark in Japan sometimes later when it already has complete lineup of cars which are not a rebadge. So today, the TSX and RL in my opinion is the thorn which prohibits Acura to be launched in Japan, because when both cars are redesigned in 2008-2009, Acura will go back home to Japan, coincidence? Perhaps, perhaps not.

So what is an Acura?

It's part of Honda brand specifically designed for the luxury market and it is now completing its product cycle to remove all rebadge Honda cars.

Answer 3

An Acura is an over rated Honda.

Answer 4

"Acura has been setting new standards in automotive design and engineering for two decades with a steadfast commitment to bold innovation, precision manufacturing, and exhilarating performance. This continually advancing approach results in refined and luxurious vehicles that utilize the cutting-edge of technology. Acura’s reputation for thrilling performance, unsurpassed comfort, innovative safety features, and exceptional reliability stems from a dedication to the most exacting criteria for quality in the industry. Every aspect of the design and manufacturing process reflects a quest for uncompromising quality and a devotion to pushing the envelope.

Blazing a path of innovation and achievement, Acura boasts technological breakthroughs such as Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™), Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) structural design, offering the utmost in driver and passenger protection. And the extreme care Acura gives to the making of each automobile also extends out into the community and the environment, highlighting our aspiration to redefine the state of the art."

Answer 5

As a few other people have said, they are the higher end Hondas. Usually rebranded Acura for the North American market. In Japan, New Zealand, Australia etc they are still branded as Honda.

Answer 6

Acura's are the high end Honda's. They offer premium features not available on a Honda.

The newest model is the brand new RDX which is the crossover vehicle between car and SUV.

You can learn more at www.acura.com

Answer 7

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Answer 8

A car company. Made by Honda.

Acura is Hondas Luxury Line. Just like lexus is toyotas luxury line.

Answer 9

an acura is the luxury version of honda... the same with toyota,lexus is the luxury company

HERE: www.acura.com

Answer 10

An upscale Honda