Acura models

Acura launched in 1986 as Honda's luxury brand, and it holds a notable place in history: it was the first premium brand created by a Japanese carmaker, beating Lexus and Infiniti to market by three years. The idea was to sell more upscale, better-equipped cars than Honda's mainstream lineup, especially in North America.

Acura's early cars made a real impact. The Legend sedan and especially the original NSX supercar showed that a Japanese brand could build genuinely desirable performance and luxury cars, the NSX in particular forcing established exotics to take everyday usability seriously.

Over time Acura's identity blurred, leaning on rebadged Hondas and a less distinct image than its German or even Lexus rivals. Its recent focus has been on sharper performance, the revived NSX and Type S models, and a clearer sporting character. For buyers, Acura offers Honda's renowned reliability and value in a more upscale, sportier package, a sensible near-luxury choice rather than a status symbol, aimed at people who prize substance over badge prestige.