Acura research
Acura history: Honda's luxury brand from the 1986 Legend and Integra to today
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Acura is the luxury and performance division that American Honda created for the US market. It opened on March 27, 1986, with 60 dealers in 18 states and two cars, the Legend and the Integra, as the first Japanese luxury brand in America. The NSX, the MDX, Type S models and the all-electric ZDX followed.
Acura history timeline
Milestones link to a full history page with years and production numbers, key variants, what changed and what to check before you buy one.
1984
“Channel II” becomes Acura
In February 1984 American Honda announced plans for a new luxury and performance division for the US, working title “Channel II.” The name Acura was announced that September.[1]
1986
Acura opens with the Legend and Integra
The Acura Automobile Division began operating on March 27, 1986, with 60 dealers in 18 states, selling the Integra 3-door and 5-door and the Legend sedan. Acura sold 52,869 cars in its first year.[1],[2]
1987
Legend Coupe
The Legend Coupe joined for the 1987 model year with a 2.7-liter V6. Acura's chronology calls it the first Acura with an airbag.[1],[2]
1990
NSX goes on sale
The mid-engine NSX went on sale in August 1990 as a 1991 model. Acura says it was the first production car with an all-aluminum chassis and body; at $65,000 it was the most expensive Japanese car to that point.[1],[2]
1988–1993
Legend leads the luxury imports
Acura's timeline lists the Legend as the best-selling luxury import model in the US each year from 1988 to 1990 and as the best-selling luxury nameplate through 1993, six straight years.[1],[3]
1995–1996
Letter names: TL and RL
The TL replaced the Vigor and, in Acura's words, signaled its switch to alphanumeric model names. In February 1996 the 3.5 RL replaced the Legend as the flagship sedan.[1],[2],[3]
1997
CL, the first US-built luxury import
The CL coupe arrived for the 1997 model year. Acura calls it the first luxury import model designed, engineered and built in the United States.[2],[4],[5]
2000
MDX
Acura launched the US-designed MDX in January 2000, the first luxury SUV with standard third-row seating. Acura's chronology lists it from the 2001 model year.[1],[2],[4]
2001
Type S debuts on the 3.2CL
The 2001 3.2CL Type S was the first Type S sold in North America, with a 260-hp 3.2-liter V6. TL Type S (2002–2003), RSX Type S (2002–2006) and TL Type S (2007–2008) followed.[6]
2004
RL introduces SH-AWD
The second-generation RL went on sale in November 2004 with a 300-hp 3.5-liter V6 and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, which Acura lists as the first torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.[1],[4]
2006
RDX, Acura's first turbo
The RDX went on sale in August 2006 with Acura's first turbocharged engine, a 240-hp 2.3-liter four, and SH-AWD.[1],[2]
2013
RLX flagship
The 2014 RLX went on sale on March 15, 2013, with a 310-hp direct-injected V6 and Precision All-Wheel Steer. EPA lists the RLX through the 2020 model year.[5],[7]
2017–2022
Second-generation NSX
EPA lists the hybrid NSX for the 2017–2022 model years. Acura marked the final year of NSX production with the 600-hp 2022 NSX Type S.[5],[6]
2021
Type S returns
After a 13-year break, Type S came back with the 355-hp TLX Type S. The 2022 MDX Type S became the first Acura SUV with the badge.[6],[8]
2023
Integra returns
Acura announced the Integra's return on August 13, 2021, calling it one of the two models in its original 1986 lineup. EPA lists the new Integra from the 2023 model year.[5],[9]
2024
ZDX, the first all-electric Acura
Acura priced its first all-electric model, the 2024 ZDX, from $64,500 for the rear-drive ZDX A-Spec and $73,500 for the dual-motor ZDX Type S, before destination.[10]
2025
ADX gateway SUV
The 2025 ADX compact SUV, which shares its global architecture with the Integra, started at $35,000 before a $1,350 destination charge.[11]
Acura's US lineup by era
| Era | Cars | SUVs |
|---|---|---|
| 1986–1990 | Legend sedan, Legend Coupe (from 1987), Integra | None |
| 1991–1995 | Legend, Integra, NSX, Vigor (1992–1994), 2.5TL (1995) | None |
| 1996–2000 | 3.5RL, 2.5TL/3.2TL, 3.2TL (from 1999), 2.2CL/2.3CL/3.0CL (1997–1999), Integra, NSX | SLX (1996–1999) |
| 2001–2006 | 3.5RL/RL, 3.2TL/TL, 3.2CL (2001–2003), RSX (2002–2006), TSX (from 2004), NSX (to 2005), Integra (2001) | MDX |
| 2007–2014 | RL (to 2012), TL, TSX, TSX Sport Wagon (2011–2014), ILX (from 2013), RLX (from 2014) | MDX, RDX, ZDX (2010–2013) |
| 2015–2022 | TLX, ILX, RLX (to 2020), NSX (2017–2022) | MDX, RDX |
| 2023–2025 | Integra, TLX | MDX, RDX, ZDX (electric, 2024), ADX (2025) |
Acura's flagship sedans
| Model | US model years | Launch engine |
|---|---|---|
| Legend sedan (1st gen) | 1986–1990 | 2.5L V6, 151 hp |
| Legend sedan (2nd gen) | 1991–1995 | 3.2L V6, 202 hp |
| 3.5RL | 1996–2004 | 3.5L V6, 210 hp |
| RL | 2005–2012 | 3.5L V6, 300 hp, SH-AWD |
| RLX | 2014–2020 | 3.5L direct-injected V6, 310 hp; Sport Hybrid 377 hp |
Full detail and buying advice: Acura Legend, RL and RLX history history.
Type S models
| Model | Years | Engine and output |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2CL Type S | 2001–2003 | 3.2L V6, 260 hp, 232 lb-ft |
| 3.2TL Type S | 2002–2003 | 3.2L V6, 260 hp, 232 lb-ft |
| RSX Type S | 2002–2006 | 2.0L four, 200 hp (210 hp from 2005) |
| TL Type S | 2007–2008 | 3.5L V6, 286 hp, 257 lb-ft |
| TLX Type S | 2021– | 3.0L turbo V6, 355 hp, 354 lb-ft |
Every Acura model history
Flagship sedans
- Acura Legend, RL and RLX history history (1986–2020)
Coupes
- Acura CL history history (1997–2003)
How to check a Acura's factory build
Standardized 17-character VINs began with model year 1981[14]. For a 1981-or-later Acura, CarWhere can check a VIN for licensed factory build data and, when it exists, list the equipment the vehicle was built with in plain English: see the Acura build sheet by VIN. Coverage varies by VIN and model year. Earlier vehicles are identified by their original serial number, vehicle data plate and engine stampings instead.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Acura cars?
Honda. Acura is the luxury and performance division that American Honda Motor Co. announced in 1984 and launched in the US on March 27, 1986. Honda's US president described Acura in 2018 as the performance division of Honda.
When did Acura start?
Acura began operating on March 27, 1986, with 60 dealers in 18 states. Acura describes itself as the first Japanese luxury brand in the United States.
What were the first Acura models?
The Legend sedan and the Integra, offered as a 3-door and a 5-door. The Legend Coupe followed for the 1987 model year.
Why did Acura change to letter names like TL and RL?
Acura's own history says the TL, which replaced the Vigor, signaled its conversion to alphanumeric model names. The 3.5 RL replaced the Legend in February 1996 and the CL coupe followed.
What was the first Acura Type S?
In North America, the 2001 3.2CL Type S, with a 260-hp 3.2-liter V6. Acura says the idea began with the 1997 NSX Type S in Japan.
What is Acura's first electric car?
The 2024 Acura ZDX, Acura's first all-electric model, priced from $64,500 before destination. A ZDX Type S with a dual-motor powertrain started at $73,500.
More Acura research
Sources
Production figures, dates and ratings come from Acura and Honda press, product and heritage materials, official race results and reputable automotive press wherever available. References marked secondary are encyclopedic or enthusiast sources used only where a primary figure was not available. Market medians are CarWhere's own analysis of live US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers.
- Acura Timeline (November 7, 2012; updated October 2014) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- Acura Chronology (March 29, 2011) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- 20th Acura Anniversary: Acura History (January 7, 2006) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- Acura Firsts (November 7, 2012) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- Acura model listings by model year, 1986–2026 (Find a Car) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
- Acura Type S Timeline and Milestones (April 11, 2023) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- Acura Announces Launch Plan and Pricing for 2014 RLX Flagship Sedan (January 15, 2013) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- Return of Type S and All-new V6 Turbo Underscore Renewed Commitment to Performance (January 15, 2018) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- A Legend Returns: New Acura Integra Coming for a New Generation (August 13, 2021) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- 2024 Acura ZDX & ZDX Type S Deliver Electrified Performance Starting at $64,500 (January 19, 2024) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- First-Ever Acura ADX Creates New Gateway to Acura Brand Starting at $35,000 (February 14, 2025) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- Acura Model Chronology (November 2014) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- 2020 Acura RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid Go On Sale (July 31, 2019) — American Honda Motor Co. (Acura News)
- 49 CFR Part 565 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) requirements — eCFR (U.S. Government)
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. or Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. Acura and the model names are trademarks of their owners.