In the 1980s, the Japanese government imposed limits on the export of automobiles to the United States. Due to these limitations, it was more advantageous to export expensive cars. As a result, Honda established its own premium brand, Acura, the first Japanese luxury automobile manufacturer, in 1986.
In This Article...
The American Honda, is Acura?
The luxury and performance arm of the Japanese automaker Honda[2] is called Acura, and it is based mostly in North America.
[3] The company began marketing luxury and performance cars on March 27, 1986, in the United States and Canada. It was first made available in Mexico in 2004,[4] China in 2006 (lasting until 2022),[5] Russia in 2014,[6] Kuwait in 2015,[4] and Hong Kong in 1991 (running until 2009). It was also offered for sale in Ukraine (until 2018). [7] Honda’s intention to launch Acura in the Japanese domestic market (JDM) in 2008 was postponed for financial reasons[8] and later abandoned as a result of the 2007–2008 financial crisis. [9]
The first luxury division started by a Japanese carmaker was Acura.
[10] In addition to the already existing Honda Verno and Honda Primo, the JDM Honda dealership sales channel known as Honda Clio, which offered premium cars, was launched at the same time as Acura. Acura was among the top-selling luxury brands in the US during its first few years of operation, outpacing well-known names like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. [10] Despite declining sales in the mid- to late 1990s, the brand had a resurgence in the early 2000s as a result of radical redesigns and the introduction of new models. [10] [11]
Late in the 1980s, Toyota and Nissan, two other Japanese automakers, were inspired by the Legend’s popularity to develop their own luxury brands, Lexus and Infiniti, respectively. When Honda’s mid-engine exotic sports vehicle, the NSX, was debuted to the North American market in 1990, it provided a dependable and useful alternative to expensive exotic sports cars from Europe. The Type II engine and six-speed manual transmission were originally employed by Acura in the 1993 Legend coup. Acura created a Type R variant of its little Integra in the late 1990s. It had a high-output VTEC engine, a stiffer and lower suspension, and a lower curb weight.
Early in the new millennium, Acura unveiled many new models, including the MDX, the company’s first entirely original SUV, and the RSX and TSX, which respectively replaced the Integra hatchback and sedan. During that decade, the RSX, CL, and TL Type-S models were added to the brand’s range. The torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system SH-AWD was first included in Acura’s 2005 RL flagship model. The first Honda turbocharged engine to be used in North America was installed in the crossover SUV RDX in 2007. The second version of the NSX was introduced in 2016, and it has a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a twin-turbocharged mid-engine.
Why are Honda and Acura similar?
The claim that Honda and Acura are owned by the same firm has some basis in reality. Although it has its unique advantages, Acura is actually a division of Honda. While Honda’s past demonstrates a company that offers a wide variety of everyday automobiles, Acura was used to enter the luxury car market.
Is Acura a brand in decline?
The good news is that despite some people’s perceptions that Acura’s products had become stale, the company was never seriously in danger of going out of business. Although it was more of a sales downturn, things may improve in the upcoming years.
As the corporation demonstrates that it still cares about what the public thinks, the introduction of the new Acura TLX in 2021 does hold some promise. The Type S trim level will be available for the next model, demonstrating Acura’s continued ability to produce performance-oriented vehicles. Does this indicate that the company is turning a new leaf and returning to its “performance luxury roots? Time will only tell.
Honda engines are they used in Acuras?
Today, Acura develops engines, chassis, and technology in addition to producing exceptionally plush and comfortable vehicles and crossovers. And because Honda and Acura are so closely related, both brands utilise the majority of these technologies. For instance, the Acura MDX and the Honda Pilot both use the same base and engine (as well as the nine-speed transmission on the Pilot Touring). The Honda Odyssey, Accord, and Ridgeline also use the 3.5-liter Earth Dream V6 as it is a mainstay of the Acura lineup. The same is true for both brands’ entertainment systems; Honda goods benefit from having a premium feel, and Acura may concentrate on other interior features of their cars because mass production allows for cost savings.
Honda and Acura may not appear to have much in common to the ordinary consumer, but if you dig a little further, you’ll discover how closely related these two businesses are. Both brands share many parts, dealerships are typically close by (and frequently controlled by the same organizations), and switching between brands may occasionally qualify you for fidelity rebates.
Therefore, if you often drive a Honda and are interested in seeing what luxury looks like in a Honda, stop by and we’ll show you.
Acura: Is it as dependable as Lexus?
Overall, both Acura and Lexus (as well as Honda and Toyota, respectively) have great histories for car safety and long-term dependability, although consumer reviews and analysis by automotive experts place Lexus slightly ahead of Acura.
Do Acuras get sold in Japan?
Only in North America do Acura’s engineering and production operations predominate. The RLX, now known as the Honda Legend, is the only model offered for sale in Japan.
What model of car is Honda’s pinnacle?
Depending on your level of familiarity with the auto industry, you may not be aware that Honda’s luxury brand is Acura. In comparison to Honda, Acura provides a far more condensed lineup of three sedans, two SUVs, and one supercar. You’re not entirely out of luck if you prefer to stick with a more conventional Honda automobile. The top-tier Touring trim is offered on the majority of Honda models and is likely to please.
Is Honda’s luxury line Acura?
Drivers from Hartford frequently ask us, “Does Honda make Acura? Yes, it is the answer. The main business, Honda, introduced Acura in 1986. Honda’s premium line was initially marketed in the United States under the name Channel II. Today, the Acura brand enjoys the same level of global recognition as Honda.
Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Fiat, and Maserati
Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Fiat, Maserati, as well as the more consumer-oriented brands of Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, are all part of the vast American and Italian conglomerate known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche
Along with the global brands of SEAT and Skoda and, naturally, the more famous Volkswagen brand, the German multinational Volkswagen Group encompasses the brands Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche.
Buick and Cadillac
The Chevrolet and GMC brands, along with the premium car names Buick and Cadillac, are all part of the General Motors Company’s (GMC) vehicle division.
Genesis
Genesis is the premium branch of the South Korean multinational Hyundai Motor Group, which also owns a minority stake in Kia Motors and is home to the Hyundai vehicle brand.
Infiniti
The luxury arm of the Franco-Japanese Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is called Infiniti. This group also includes the Nissan and Mitsubishi car brands, as is clear from the name.
Lexus
The luxury-focused brand of the Japanese Toyota Motor Corporation is called Lexus. Toyota also holds stock in the Subaru Corporation and also owned the defunct Scion brand.
Mercedes-Benz
The most well-known brand of the German multinational Daimler AG is Mercedes-Benz. Daimler’s other divisions include the (now-retired) Smart automobile brand and Daimler trucks and buses.
Volvo
The Volvo brand is currently owned by the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Despite the fact that the Volvo corporate headquarters are in Gothenburg, Sweden, this business is Chinese and is based in the Zhejiang province.
Does Honda outperform Toyota?
Toyota has more automobiles, better costs, and higher reliability in the categories we looked at, making it the superior brand. When deciding between Honda and Toyota, Honda isn’t a slouch either thanks to its comparable dependability ratings, reasonable costs, and even higher safety ratings.
Is Toyota superior to Acura?
Toyota provides both more expensive and more advanced automobiles. Because of this, depending on the vehicle’s price range, some of its vehicles may have few amenities and/or lack contemporary advances. Acura is a luxury brand, thus even the base trim levels could be well-equipped with high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology. This encompasses technological, protective, and functional characteristics.
Visiting Pohanka Acura and inspecting the models in person is the greatest approach to contrast Toyota and Acura models. Visit us whenever is most convenient to look over our selection with a friendly salesperson.
What does the Acura you drive say about you?
Driving an Acura, Audi, or Volvo announces to the world that you are doing well and aspire to be the boss one day. These are respectable, high-end vehicles that are not quite at the top of the luxury vehicle market but are nonetheless classy enough to show your neighbors that you received a respectable bonus the previous quarter. These are the vehicles that those who supervise others and are one level beneath the boss at work drive. The kind of vehicles that, while we all respect them when we see them, don’t pique our interest. However, cruising in a brand-new Volvo V60 or Audi A5 announces your arrival to the world.
Acura or Lexus: which is the more opulent automobile?
The best-known qualities of Lexus, a branch of Toyota’s luxury brand, are quality and dependability. The entire lineup is regarded as being more opulent than Acura. In addition to greater overall performance, several sports models like the LC and RC-F also provide smoother looks, dynamic rides, and steering feel.
Acura is a high-end division of Honda known for its enhanced productivity, safety features, and comfortable driving characteristics. Acura has built a strong reputation for offering high-quality vehicles at competitive prices. Models like the TLX and ILX make the most of the included hardware.
How long are Acuras good for?
An Acura should survive at least 16 years, between 250,000 and 300,000 miles. The luxury division of Honda is renowned for dependability. Acura placed second overall—not only among luxury car brands—in RepairPal’s most recent assessment on vehicle dependability.
Does Acura maintain its value?
While certain Acura vehicles do retain their value well, many do not. A 2017 Acura should retain 75% of its original value on average. One car that holds its value well is the Acura TLX. Because drivers want to purchase them, it has a devoted customer base, which helps TLXs maintain their value over time.