
By 1986, the Honda name was already legendary in America. The Accord was well on its way to establishing its dominance among American passenger cars, but Honda wasn't done yet. To really cement its foothold in the American auto industry, they wanted to create something extraordinary for drivers: the first Acura.
A Legend Started It All
Acura's first two releases were the Integra and Legend models. Legend was a coupe, and the Integra tackled the compact class. Both were fondly received in North America and accompanied the opening of 60 new Acura dealerships across the United States. You'd rarely find an Acura dealership empty in those days. People thought highly of the brand from the beginning.
In the 90s, Acura crafted the NSX, a V6 sports car that gave the brand a more glamorous reputation. While there were bumps along the way as this very young luxury car division found its way, things looked bright for the 2000s. They released an MDX model and a TL. By 2005, the Acura RL was released and became an instant favorite of critics.
Acura also has an inspiring partnership with American Motorsports. They've crafted works of art like the Acura RSX and ARX-02a. While most Americans won't recognize these as household names, they are important to people invested in motorsports. Acura models aren't just luxurious. They're also a part of the fast-paced world of motorsports and continue to gain respect for their mechanical designs. You can often catch a specialized Acura design competing in some of the fiercest motorsports competitions around the world.
Honda's decision to create a luxury vehicle division has paid off big for them and car lovers worldwide. Acura continues to release models today, and they never disappoint. Some popular modern Acura designs include the Acura TLX, RDX, and MDX, each of which is outfitted with the kind of luxury we've come to expect from the brand. They exemplify what a luxury vehicle should be: glamorous and primed for high-performance moments.
Learn More About Acura's History
Acura's history is even more complex than you've seen here. They've had many triumphs and unique models that are fun to learn about. If you'd like to explore Acura's history further, please contact our dealership.