12 Interesting Facts About Acura

Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Honda Motor Company, launched in 1986. It was the first Japanese luxury brand, established primarily to compete with luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. Acura is headquartered in Torrance, California and markets a range of luxury cars, from sedans to SUVs. Acura played a crucial role in changing perceptions of Japanese cars by focusing on performance, design, and innovation.

Acura is owned by Honda Motor Company, making it one of the company’s most important divisions. Honda’s global revenue in 2023 was around $142 billion, with Acura being a significant contributor to its luxury market segment. Acura’s place in the luxury vehicle market is strong, but it competes fiercely with other Japanese luxury brands like Lexus, as well as European giants such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.

Place Among Automakers

Acura has solidified its position as a premium luxury brand, with a reputation for blending Japanese reliability with performance and innovative technology. While it competes in the luxury market, Acura’s pricing and focus on performance give it a niche appeal. It’s particularly strong in the SUV and hybrid sports car markets.

Interesting Facts About Acura

1. First Japanese Luxury Brand: Acura was the first Japanese luxury car brand, debuting before other competitors like Lexus (Toyota) and Infiniti (Nissan). Acura introduced the concept of affordable luxury to the U.S. market.
2. Legendary NSX Supercar: Acura’s NSX (New Sports eXperimental) launched in 1990 and became a revolutionary sports car. It featured an all-aluminum body, a mid-engine layout, and handling fine-tuned by Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna. It was the first production car to use an all-aluminum monocoque.
3. Precision Crafted Performance: Acura’s slogan, “Precision Crafted Performance,” embodies the brand’s commitment to delivering both luxury and high-performance vehicles. This focus helped Acura carve out a niche in the competitive luxury segment.
4. First Car with Variable Valve Timing: Acura was the first brand to introduce Variable Valve Timing technology (VTEC) in its vehicles, significantly improving fuel efficiency and performance. This technology was later adopted across Honda’s lineup.
5. RDX: A Popular Compact SUV: The Acura RDX has been a standout in the compact luxury SUV market. Since its introduction, the RDX has combined performance, tech features, and luxury amenities at a more affordable price point, making it a strong competitor.
6. Accolades for Safety: Acura vehicles consistently receive top safety ratings from organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Acura’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE)™ body structure and AcuraWatch™ safety suite have contributed to its reputation for safety.
7. Precision All-Wheel Steer™: Acura introduced Precision All-Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS™), a revolutionary technology that allows each rear wheel to move independently, significantly improving handling and agility.
8. NSX as a Hybrid Supercar: The latest version of the Acura NSX (2016) features a hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 engine with three electric motors, making it one of the most advanced and powerful hybrid sports cars on the market.
9. Designed and Built in the U.S.: Most Acura vehicles, including the NSX, are designed and built in the United States, particularly in Ohio. This fact distinguishes Acura from many of its luxury competitors.
10. The Rise of MDX: Acura’s MDX, a three-row luxury SUV, is one of the best-selling luxury SUVs in the U.S. since its launch. The MDX has earned praise for its space, comfort, and technology features, as well as for its value compared to other luxury brands.
11. Transmission Recall: In 2004, Acura faced a significant issue with the automatic transmissions in some of its models, including the TL, CL, and MDX. Over 1.1 million vehicles were recalled due to concerns that the transmission could overheat and fail, which led to concerns over safety and brand reliability.
12. Airbag Recalls: Like many other automakers, Acura was involved in the Takata airbag recall, one of the largest and most significant recalls in automotive history. Several Acura models were recalled due to defective airbags that could potentially rupture, causing serious injuries or fatalities.