Acura Awards & Recognition
Timeline
1986
Official launch of the Acura Division.
1987
Legend Coupe was named Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year. Integra was named one of Car and Driver's 10Best Cars. Acura ranked #1 in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index.* Road & Track named the Legend Sedan Best Sedan $17,500-$22,500 and Best High Performance Car $22,500-$27,500, as well as one of the 10 Best Cars in the World. Acura was the top-selling luxury import nameplate.
1988
Acura Legend was named the #1-best-selling luxury import model. Legend Coupe and Integra were named to Car and Driver's 10Best Cars list. Acura was ranked #1 for the second consecutive year in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index.*
1989
Acura Legend was named the #1-best-selling luxury import model. Legend Coupe was named one of Car and Driver's 10Best Cars for the second year in a row. Acura ranked #1 for the third consecutive year in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index.* Legend Coupe L was listed on Motor Trend's Top 10 Import Cars (Personal Luxury) list.
1990
Acura Legend was named the #1-best-selling luxury import model. Acura ranked #1 for the fourth consecutive year in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index.* Motor Trend named NSX to its Top 10 Performance Cars (Cost No Object) list. NSX was given the Automotive Industries Annual Engineering Award. NSX was awarded the Popular Mechanics 1991 Design & Engineering Award and the Best of What's New (Grand Award) from Popular Science.
1991
NSX was named Automobile of the Year and given the Design of the Year award from Automobile Magazine. Acura Legend was named the #1 best-selling luxury import model. Acura ranked #1 in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Performance Index.† Acura ranked #1 in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Index.**
1992
Acura Legend was named the #1-best-selling luxury import model and was named Best Model in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Performance Index,† a measure of customer satisfaction with a vehicle's performance after three years of ownership. Acura was named Best Overall Car Line in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Performance Index.†
1993
Acura Legend was ranked #1-best-selling luxury import model. Acura was named Best Overall Car Line 1989 in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Performance Index.†
1994
Integra was named to Car and Driver's 10Best Cars list. Integra GS-R was named Car of the Year by United Press International. Acura sold its millionth automobile. Acura was the top-selling luxury import nameplate for the eighth consecutive year.
1995
Integra was named to Car and Driver's 10Best Cars list. The CL-X concept car and NSX-T debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Integra LS Coupe won Car and Driver's sports coupe comparison. Acura launched its highly successful TL series.
1996
Acura launched RL, CL and SLX. NSX tied for top ranking as Best Car Model in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Index.** Acura RL became the first production vehicle to offer a satellite-linked navigation system. Acura was the top-selling luxury import nameplate for the 10th consecutive year.
1997
In the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, Acura finished ahead of luxury nameplate stalwarts like Jaguar, Lincoln, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche. Acura Integra, TL and RL were named among the top vehicles in respective segments.
1998
The TL-X concept car made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Acura RL became the first production vehicle with a passenger's side airbag with height and position sensors.
1999
The 3.2TL debuted. The 3.2 TL was rated as a Best Buy by Consumer Digest and by Consumer Guide. Integra was named top Sporty Car by J.D. Power and Associates in its 1999 Initial Quality Study 2. Integra GS-R was named to Sport Compact Car's Eight Great Rides list.
2000
A redesigned 3.2CL Coupe debuted in March as a 2001 model. The 3.2TL won the Top Car award in the $25,000-$30,000 category of the AAA annual competition for AAA Autograph and became the #1-best-selling luxury import nameplate. The 3.5RL was named in the "Car Book Best Bets" for 2000 in the large-car category of The Ultimate Car Book. Integra Coupe LS and GS were each named a Best Subcompact over $14,000 by IntelliChoice®.
2001
For the 2001 model year, Acura introduced its all-new MDX sport-utility vehicle. MDX offered the marketplace Acura's unique combination of performance and luxury in a sport-utility vehicle. Car and Driver called it "Best Luxury SUV" of the year. The MDX received the distinction of being named Motor Trend's 2001 Sport/Utility of the Year and was also recognized as the 2001 North American Truck of the Year.
2002
The 2002 model year marked the highly anticipated release of the all-new RSX, which replaced the venerable Integra. The RSX Type-S redefined the sports coupe segment with a 200-hp, i-VTEC® engine and close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. The RSX received a wide range of accolades from the press, including being named to Car and Driver's 10Best Cars list for 2002. Also in 2002, TL added the high-performance 260-hp Type-S model. In mid-model year, NSX received attractive new styling along with enhancements to its cutting-edge handling and world-class performance.
2003
Along with more aggressive styling and interior enhancements, the 260-hp, 2003 CL Type-S gained a new close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. MDX upgrades included a new 3.5-liter, SOHC, VTEC V-6 engine with 260 horsepower, a redesigned 5-speed automatic transmission, a new Drive-by-WireTM throttle system and standard Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA®). An Acura DVD Entertainment System and rearview camera were new MDX options.
2004
The upgraded 2004 RL became the first production vehicle to offer satellite radio as standard equipment. Introduced in April of 2003, the 2004 TSX represented an entirely new model line for Acura. Positioned between the RSX and TL, the TSX was an advanced sports sedan, featuring the latest technology and innovation, including a 200-hp, 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine with a close-ratio 6-speed manual or a 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission. The double-wishbone front suspension, 17" alloy wheels and driver-oriented cockpit were designed to reward the true enthusiast, while the long list of standard features, including leather-trimmed seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and side curtain airbags, satisfied the luxury seekers. An available Acura Navigation SystemTM with voice recognition is the only option. Also arriving in 2004, the completely redesigned TL set a new standard for state-of-the-art technology and dynamic performance. High-tech comfort and convenience features include a programmable keyless remote entry, Bluetooth®-synchronized hands-free mobile phone operation and a DVD-A surround-sound audio system with XM® Satellite Radio. Impressive performance and engineering features included a 270-hp V-6 engine with an available 6-speed manual transmission, Brembo® front brakes and a limited-slip differential. Given one of the highest distinctions from Car and Driver magazine, the TSX was named one of the 10Best Cars in 2004.
2005
The redesigned, revamped, 300-horsepower RL brought the concept of the luxury performance sedan to life, reinforcing Acura's reputation as a premium brand that offers drivers the most for their money. With the debut of Super Handling All-Wheel DriveTM (SH-AWDTM), the world's first all-wheel-drive platform (a torque distribution system that improves both wet- and dry-weather handling), Acura attached a renewed importance to performance in the RL model line. With other impressive features such as the AcuraLinkTM satellite communication system with real-time traffic updates provided via XM NavTrafficTM, a keyless access system with various driver-recognition features and an Active Front Lighting System (AFS), the RL demanded that attention be paid to its impressive new standard features. Additionally, the 2.0-liter, 160-horsepower i-VTEC engine-powered RSX (along with the 210-horsepower RSX Type-S) brought new focal points to the Acura model line, lifting the RSX into a new stratosphere of performance as a meticulously crafted, comfortable sports coupe. The TSX was also praised by Car and Driver in 2005, given the 10Best Award for Best Sports Sedan.
2006
The RL Technology Package was introduced, maintaining Acura's focus on industry-leading safety and convenience features with the introduction of a Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM), adaptive cruise control (ACC) and Michelin® PAX® System run-flat tires. This for a car that already received the 10Best Award for Best Luxury Sedan from Car and Driver in 2005. The TSX took home the Best Sports Sedan 2006 award from Car and Driver yet one more time.
2007
The all-new RDX is introduced, with young urban singles and families in mind. As the first turbocharged Acura, this is a vehicle prepared to vie for its place as the definition of a new and emerging vehicle class: the entry premium SUV. Equipped with its revolutionary i-VTEC engine and versatile Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, the RDX offers an extensive array of comfort, convenience and safety features. In 2007, the MDX undergoes a full model change. In addition to a more attractive aggressive appearance, the 2007 MDX offers new and innovative technical features, including an Active Damper System that instantaneously adjusts the suspension to suit various road and driving conditions.
The addition of the TL-Type S for 2007 offers buyers all of the luxury, safety and technology advances they have come to expect from this popular sedan with a flair that will have an even greater appeal to enthusiasts. This is reflected in its lower cladding, dark chrome-accented headlight bezels, revised grille, European influenced honeycomb racing-designed wheels, rear spoiler and, of course, Type-S badging. A more powerful 3.5-liter, 286-horsepower engine produces 257 lbs.-ft. of torque that is transferred to the drive wheels via a 6-speed transmission, which is controlled by convenient and race-inspired paddle shifters. Suspension upgrades and Brembo brakes contribute to a decided performance feel. The TL Type-S has a unique interior with attractive, supportive seats that offer an available two-tone seating scheme, red ambient lighting, and stainless steel pedals. TL Type-S offers Active Noise Cancellation® to retain a quiet cabin environment.
* Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI)-a measure of customer satisfaction with dealer service and initial product quality.
† Vehicle Performance Index-a survey of customer opinions regarding product performance after three years of ownership.
** Vehicle Dependability Index-a survey of customer opinions regarding the durability of vehicles after four to five years of ownership.
©2006 Acura. Acura, MDX, TL, TSX, Type-S, RSX, RDX, RL, NSX, the stylized "A" logo, Acura Care, AcuraLink, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition, Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), HandsFreeLink, Maintenance Minder, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), Total Luxury Care (TLC), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), i-VTEC and VTEC are trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.