Summary
- Acura has disrupted the luxury car segment with high-performance, meticulously engineered, and attainable cars, challenging the narrative that luxury should be out of reach.
- Acura has a legacy of performance-focused engineering and innovative design, introducing groundbreaking technology like the NSX and pioneering features like Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).
- Acura has a proven track record of reliability, ranking higher than other luxury brands and boasting high resale value. It offers premium features as standard, making it an affordable luxury option in comparison to competitors.
The past paves the way for the future. This statement best describes Acura’s journey. Acura started with precision and innovation as the guiding principles. Some quarters claim that the Acura name translates to the Latin word “Acu,” meaning “done with precision.” Whether this is accurate or not, Acura has done nothing but disrupt the automotive industry with high-performance, meticulously engineered, luxurious yet affordable cars, changing the narrative that luxurious cars should be out of reach for most folks. Honda took an interesting and bold move of coming up with Acura, its luxury division, which has been nothing short of rewarding.
With today’s ever-evolving and uncertain world of technology, the goal is to find a car brand that has a track record of innovation and a knack for exploring the edges. Acura took Honda’s simplicity and reliability, redefined the strengths, and went on to turn the luxury car segment upside down, threatening the already established European automakers and paving the way for Lexus, and Infiniti. The introduction of the Acura Legend and Integra, in 1986, led to a fanatic following, till today. The Legend, based on the Honda Legend, topped the J.D. Power ranking in 1992.
Being a brand of firsts, it introduced the first all-aluminum and hybrid-everyday supercar, the NSX. The NSX stamped Acura’s authority with a successful stint of over a decade. While it is clear that the future of automotive is electric, Acura has hinted at going all-electric with the launch of the Acura ZDX, set to arrive in 2024. It offers a glimpse into the future of the manufacturer’s, creative styling and class-leading technology. Here’s why Acura should be at the top of your bucket list when you plan to buy your next car.
Precision Performance
Acura has had a legacy of performance-focused engineering and innovative design. From the Integra, Legend, to the NSX, once dubbed the best sports car, Acura always seems to incorporate advanced technology and safety features as standard, while other luxury automakers offer them as expensive extras.
The NSX introduced V-TEC to America along with a completely new build approach, an aluminum semi-monocoque design. It intricately balanced performance and daily driving. Acura shattered the assumptions that supercars were supposed to be pricey and not meant for everyday driving. Automakers across the board had to go back to the drawing board, and thanks to Acura, those effects are visible today.
The second-generation NSX was released in 2016 after years of teasers and concept releases. Typical of Acura, the new NSX was the first performance sports car to feature hybrid technology. Aside from the now popular VTEC technology, a trendy catchphrase among car enthusiasts online, Acura introduced pioneering automotive technology such as:
- Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD)
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE)
- All-aluminum monocoque chassis
These ground-breaking innovations and technology were geared toward optimizing performance and fuel efficiency. The Acura TLX Type S, on the other hand, comes standard with adaptive dampeners, ensuring a smooth ride. This is an option that is offered as an extra by fellow competitors. Despite having a competitive price tag in the sports sedan segment, the TLX offers more while giving gold-standard models such as the BMW 3 Series a run for its money. With precision performance at the forefront, will an Acura serve you right?
Dependable Excellence: Acura’s Proven Reliability
Combining Honda’s simple and reliable designs with innovative and premium materials and design, Acura has made a considerable impact on the automotive space. The approach has worked and Acura at one time became a bestseller in the cutthroat luxury car niche, challenging the status quo of the likes of BMW and Mercedes. The success has further been enhanced by a proven track record of reliability. Acura has not only ranked higher than other luxury cars but also higher than the average car.
Consumer Reports ranks Acura higher than its fierce competitors including Cadillac, Mercedes, Lincoln, Tesla, and Genesis. In the 2023 rankings, the brand ranked among the top ten most reliable automotive brands.
Another key metric for determining the reliability of a car brand is resale value. A high resale value is a sign of a car that will be pleasant to own. Acura is ranked among the top three luxury brands, alongside Tesla and Lexus. The Acura Integra Type R a 90s sports car legend increases in value, though it is understandable as it is a collector’s item. Now that you have seen the recognition and reputation, the Acura model line gets for reliability, there are plenty of models to choose from. From the latest Acura TLX, NSX, and Integra to the brand’s most compact SUV, the RDX. How affordable are they?
Affordable Luxury
As determined, Acura offers plenty of premium features as standard, while other luxury brands provide them as pricey extras. The soon-to-be collector’s car, the 2022 NSX Type S is a classic package of value for money. Though not as posh as a Porsche 918 or a McLaren P1, it offers what most would be looking for in a supercar.
If you cannot afford a LaFerrari, the 2022 NSX produces 600 horsepower and 492 pound-feet of torque coupled with lightweight wheels and electric motors, enough to not disappoint at the track. If you decide to use it as a daily driver, the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), and the standard adaptive suspension will ensure a comfortable and easy-to-drive experience.
With an MSRP of $169,500, the NSX offers value for money owing to the build quality and standard features. will also spend less on gas thanks to it being a hybrid.
Performance Specifications of the 2022 NSX Type S
2022 NSX Type S |
|
Horsepower |
600 HP |
Torque |
492 LB-FT |
Transmission |
9-Speed DCT |
Driveline |
Sport Hybrid SH-AWD |
Fuel Economy (CMB) |
21 MPG |
Top Speed |
Under 3.0 seconds |
(Performance specs sourced from Acura)
The build quality, standard features, and pricing model of the 2022 NSX can be seen in other cars from Acura. It is no secret, Acura offers affordable luxury and the peace of mind that comes with reliability.
Innovation Pioneer: Expecting Nothing Less from Acura’s Legacy
Acura’s future is incredibly promising, especially with the recent teaser of the Precision EV Concept. Historically, the automaker has a knack for innovating new technologies way ahead of the competition. The concept is a sneak peek into Acura’s new era of electrification.
It features eye-catching theatrical lighting, a cockpit inspired by F1 racecars, transparent screens, gracing the infotainment and instrument clusters, retractable pedals, and yoke, and Acura’s heritage athletic styling. Though no power figures are out yet, the concept is based on the Ultium platform by GM. The design underpins the brand’s precision-crafted philosophy.
The first all-electric SUV, the Acura ZDX slated for 2024, is set to cause a stir in the EV segment. One to not compromise on performance, the ZDX Type S will have an estimated 500 horsepower, according to Acura, more powerful than any electric SUV around. The exterior design is futuristic. The interior is driver-oriented, complete with a host of technology and driver aids.
The roadmap is set, and Acura is a brand to keep on your radar. Additionally, older Acura models are still able to compete with newer vehicles from other carmakers owing to Acura’s trend-setting designs and styling, precision-crafted performance, and class-leading premium technology.
Sources: Acura, Consumer Reports, and J.D. Power
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