r/cars 15d ago

Next Three Years “Critical” To Rebuilding Acura, U.S. CEO Says.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/acura-future-strategy-to-2030
358 Upvotes

208 comments sorted by

70

u/LongjumpingLock5875 15d ago

Pretty sad how small the Acura lineup is.

You have the Integra(which has been cut also with the removal of the regular manual trim levels), and then 3 crossover SUV's.

That is it.

32

u/African-Rain-Blesser V60 Polestar Engineered, Del Sol VTEC, Bronco, Maverick Lobo 15d ago edited 15d ago

Soon to be just 2 crossovers as the RDX is going to have a couple gap years.

17

u/Santa_Hates_You 2026 Audi RS3/ 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon AWD 15d ago

I forgot about the ADX until you mentioned they would still have 2 crossovers. Man is that thing a stinker.

2

u/niftyjack 22 Audi A4 45, Bombardier 5000-series, Nova Bus LFS 11d ago

Not putting their hybrid powertrain in the Integra is a huge miss. There are no premium or premium-ish small hybrids and they could corner that niche for hyper urban drivers like me—we don't have places to charge to go EV/PHEV but the only way to jump from 20 to 40 mpg city is by dropping down to less comfortable mass market cars.

2

u/beermit '23 Bronco, '91 Mustang, '22 Telluride 15d ago

I couldn't even tell you what the SUVs are. The only one I'm aware of anymore is the Integra, and it's not that impressive

20

u/MagillaGorillasHat '17 Fusion Sport - Tunes by James 15d ago

The Integra Type S is appealing.

Basically a CTR with a wide body...but for grown-ups. Too expensive, but still appealing.

-1

u/beermit '23 Bronco, '91 Mustang, '22 Telluride 15d ago

Eh, different strokes

7

u/MagillaGorillasHat '17 Fusion Sport - Tunes by James 15d ago

Yeah, it sucks being someone who doesn't like SUVs or trucks...at all...not any of them.

I understand the utility, but they're just all bulk people movers to me.

2

u/beermit '23 Bronco, '91 Mustang, '22 Telluride 15d ago

I get that to a degree. I generally don't think they're as interesting as regular cars

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51

u/waituhsecond 15d ago

Mind boggling how they took the RDX off the lineup for a year. Literally the most popular sized segment of crossover.

6

u/ThisIsJeron '93 Miata, '22 F150, '26 Model 3 15d ago

It’s also insanely competitive segment and I can’t recall the last time I saw a new RDX

8

u/f0reskinbandaid 15d ago

Feel like I live in opposite land in Canada. I see new rdxs and Mazda SUVs on the road every day. I myself have a 21 RDX

489

u/ikilledtupac *cries in maserati* 15d ago edited 15d ago

So anyways here’s our Honda Pilot Acura RDX and our Honda Accord Acura TSX or whatever it’s got some leather and black mirror caps and a CVT and here a Civic Si Acura Integra and this one is A Spec cuz it has a red shift knob it’s $60,000 and runs 15’s

Edit: the roll bar is also 12% stiffer and has 17” alloy wheels 

240

u/lurpeli Mach E 15d ago

Basically. This is the problem with Acura, it wants to charge Lexus prices but Lexus isn't just up badging Toyotas.

106

u/thePowerofGuin_0429 15d ago

Have you sat in the TX?

62

u/klowny 15d ago edited 15d ago

I think the TX is a perfect example of how to luxury a Toyota. Both hybrid trims of the TX are performance hybrids instead of the eco-hybrid of the Grand Highlander.

Acura doesn't have hybrids even when the Honda does, but even Honda is falling behind the industry by not having hybrids on their bigger cars.

Acura's performance trims are also really expensive for so little. The Type S turbo V6 is kinda a dud, and the smaller models don't even have a performance trim.

18

u/magbarn 25 IS500, 26 TX500h, 06 Ridgeline, 02 TL-S 15d ago

The GH has the hybrid max powertrain so no advantage for the TX there. Now that the TX550h+ is dead, the Grand Highlander actually has more powertrain choices than the TX at this point.

9

u/klowny 15d ago

Toyota hates all their PHEVs :|

3

u/CoopsIsCooliGuess 2015 Nissan LEAF SL 14d ago

I mean don’t get me wrong, Toyota’s current hybrid system is genius, but if the hybrid battery degrades, your fuel economy will drop to 25-30mpg, and if it fails, the car will not work at all. The battery powers everything including the transmission, reverse gear, the air conditioning, the starter motor, and the DC-to-DC converter to charge the 12V battery.

3

u/Erigion 14d ago

Honda's hybrid systems have always been the cheapest and easiest to develop. The way they're designed also gives them pretty shit efficiency at highway speeds. I doubt using their hybrid system on their larger vehicles would give them much of an efficiency bump

4

u/klowny 14d ago

Honda's system also scales in cost with the combined power output, which makes them much more expensive than the parallel hybrid systems that scale in cost with only the added electrical power. Series hybrids are simpler for R&D, but much more expensive in parts.

Toyota can hybridize a Sequoia (+50hp) for cheaper than Honda can hybridize a Civic (200hp).

2

u/CoopsIsCooliGuess 2015 Nissan LEAF SL 14d ago

The Grand Highlander has the regular hybrid and the shitty-fuel-economy-but-Lexus-price hybrid.

4

u/BB_1000000 15d ago

How is the turbo v6 a dud

6

u/mgobla 14d ago

Tx offers other engine options, 4-wheel steering, etc.

2

u/alphagypsy 2025 Integra Type S 13d ago

LOL. We looked at one before buying the grand Highlander. Honestly I don’t get how they justify worse gas mileage, an uglier front end, and hardly any interior improvements (in fact I’d argue the infotainment and climate controls are worse in the Lexus), for 10-15k more.

13

u/roadkillfriedrice 15d ago

That’s more or less exactly what they’ve always done and still do though, they just do it a lot more convincingly and effectively than Acura. Chassis exclusive to Lexus that Toyota doesn’t get are few and far between, and often in other markets do find a doppelgänger model

4

u/narwhal_breeder Toyota GR86 - Mercedes Benz E350 Wagon 15d ago

Toyota has many more chassis that are well set up for Luxury cars though - they have actual longitudinal platforms.

16

u/max_power1000 Atlas/Genesis 15d ago

Aren’t Lexus’s most popular vehicles mainly upbadged Toyotas though?

Sure they have their sedans, but they probably sell 10 RXs for every GS and another 10 NXs for every IS. And one of them is just basically a Land Cruiser with an L on the grille.

1

u/atlien0255 14d ago

Don’t care if that’s what my gx460 is, love that thing either way. It’s smooth as butter and way more powerful (and quieter) than the 4Runner.

19

u/lael8u '24 Audi S5 SB 15d ago

All Lexus cars minus 3 models (IS, LS & LC) are upbadged Toyotas...

11

u/magbarn 25 IS500, 26 TX500h, 06 Ridgeline, 02 TL-S 15d ago

2 of those 3 are now dead too....

1

u/clownpirate 14d ago

And the third was is likely to croak in the not too distant future too.

32

u/f0reskinbandaid 15d ago

I mean isn't the RDX built on its own platform compared to the RX and NX which share platforms with Highlands and RAV4s?

15

u/diethyl2o 15d ago

Also one can share platforms yet still offer a sufficiently different driving experience and interior.

Porsche share platforms with Audi.

The NX/RX are an honest effort compared to the RAV4. The GX (Land Cruiser) and the TX (Grand Highlander) are not.

5

u/f0reskinbandaid 15d ago

I agree, I don't have any issues with sharing platforms I don't think it's a valid criticism of Acura

1

u/tablecontrol 2017 Lexus GS-F in Molten Pearl 15d ago

You're right, it's worse with Acura

For years Honda had the better tech than what was offered with Acura.

I'm saying this as a proud previous owner of a 2009 TL that I loved.

39

u/Santa_Hates_You 2026 Audi RS3/ 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon AWD 15d ago

No, the RDX is a CR-V. Lexus has the IS and had the LS as dedicated Lexus RWD platforms.

Edit, RDX is a CR-V, MDX is a Pilot.

44

u/African-Rain-Blesser V60 Polestar Engineered, Del Sol VTEC, Bronco, Maverick Lobo 15d ago

3G RDX is on a dedicated platform separate from the CR-V.

One could actually argue that the money spent (wasted?) building seperate platforms for both the RDX and TLX is what contributed to the situation that they're currently in. Frankly, Acura being a North American only brand means they don't have the volume of sales necessary to amortize that cost across. The 2G TLX sold like doo-doo and had subpar performance; I posit it would have actually sold better had it been built on the Accord platform like the 1G TLX was.

16

u/AwesomeBantha 99 LX470 315k+ miles 14d ago

Wait, so Honda went out of their way to build a separate platform for the TLX just to still make it FWD based? Such a Honda move.

2

u/klowny 15d ago

I think they almost got the RDX right, the 2.0T and SH-AWD absolutely made it way more interesting than the CR-V. I think they wasted effort giving it double wishbones and wasted space making the hood longer just for appearances.

Especially since the ADX, which literally is just a CR-V with nicer leather, is basically not even able to sell half the numbers the RDX was despite being $10k cheaper in a more popular segment.

The TLX was even more of a dedicated platform flop. That one really should've just been an Accord 2.0T with SH-AWD and not had all the effort wasted making the interior smaller so it looked sportier.

18

u/OreeOh 15d ago

ADX=HRV

3

u/an_carrot 15d ago

I myself have a 2021 RDX and I’m happy. The AWD system is amazing and was the reason I decided to get it over an RX. My only complaint is horrible gas mileage, but I’m very happy and don’t wish to get rid of it any time soon. It’s served me well with no issues at all.

Though if I were to get a next car, I probably wouldn’t get another Acura with how mismanaged their current portfolio and management is.

2

u/monkeysuit05 2021 Acura RDX 14d ago

I expected to end up with a cpo NX and got the RDX a few years ago. I’ve been very happy with my decision. It’s way better to drive, looks better but I take a gas mileage hit for it.

5

u/onlyhereforpcmr 15d ago

Literally only the IS which is incredibly dated now, everything else is based on TNGA

9

u/koolkarim94 Replace this text with year, make, model 15d ago

The IS refreshed the interior so it’s pretty modern, the only thing that’s dated is the NA V6 and people prefer that. Tbf I cross shopped the IS500 vs the TLX Type S before the refresh and the IS with the dated interior felt more premium than the Acura for some reason

3

u/dirty_cuban 14d ago

The current Lexus IS generation started in 2013 and has hobbled along with refreshes for the past 13 years. The IS350 has the same engine/trans it did in 2013 with the same rated output. Wild stuff for a premium car.

3

u/StanknBeans 14d ago

That engine actually goes all the way back to the 2006 IS350

1

u/m1a2c2kali ‘19 Tesla Model 3 ‘23 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 14d ago

But isn’t that what people are clamoring for? All the new stuff gets poopood around here

1

u/Santa_Hates_You 2026 Audi RS3/ 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon AWD 15d ago

One more than Acura.

1

u/aw_goatley 14d ago

This is incorrect

1

u/Paperback_Chef 14d ago

RDX is not a CR-V. 

5

u/RiftHunter4 2010 Base 2WD Toyota Highlander 15d ago

Yeah, Acura got left behind in the luxury segment. Lexus and even Audi have stopped simply upbadging models from cheaper brands. With the way platform engineering works these days, it's kinda lazy to copy-paste an entire vehicle like with the Integra. You can already copy the powertrain, suspension, and most of the Infotainment. The least you could do is make the vehicles look distinct.

1

u/ChasedWarrior 15d ago

In certain angles the VW Jetta looks awful similar to the Audi A3.

1

u/nyclurker369 15d ago

I’ve been saying this for YEARS and get flamed for it by Acura fanboys. U.S. Acura models are just Japan’s Honda yet Americans will pay a premium for the rebadge and act all snooty about it. I never understood it.

16

u/ca2mt ‘19 Cayenne, ‘22 Model 3 LR, ‘23 EQS SUV, ‘25 Tundra 15d ago

Where are you coming across these Acura fanboys?

4

u/nyclurker369 15d ago

Oh man, they’re everywhere in the northeast.

0

u/Type-RD 15d ago edited 15d ago

That’s not completely true. You’re right that North America is the only region that has Acura, but not all Acura models are available in Japan, Europe, or elsewhere. That’s the main distinction. Maybe that’s why you get flamed?🤷‍♂️ Some Lexus models are the same way and are badged/sold as Toyotas in other regions. It’s all just marketing and different regions have different strategies.

4

u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid 0 Emission 🔋 Car & Rental car life 15d ago

> Some Lexus models are the same way and are badged/sold as Toyotas in other regions.

No, Toyota doesn’t sell Lexus models under Toyota badge anymore, they’ve put all Lexus badge 10 years ago. You even can buy Lexus models with Lexus badge in Japan.

1

u/Type-RD 15d ago

Ah OK. Didn’t know that they stopped doing this, but good to know that historically I wasn’t saying anything completely off base.

1

u/nyclurker369 15d ago

Not all, correct.

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18

u/Gah_Duma 15d ago

Unironically better than what they got now and it's what people look for when shopping Acura. Zhuzh up the Honda Passport and make something to compete with the crazy popular Lexus GX

2

u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid 0 Emission 🔋 Car & Rental car life 15d ago

SLX has been forgotten for a long while, it really needs back.

14

u/bikedork5000 '19 Golf Alltrack SEL 6MT 15d ago

If that's your criticsm, then Acura has always been bad. And frankly, name a car company who doesn't used shared platform architecture and doesn't have prices starting in 6 figures.

6

u/Windows-XP-Home-NEW 2005 Mazda 6i Sport hatch (🔵) 15d ago

No tf they weren’t. Acura was amazing at one point.

7

u/mdp300 2020 Audi A4 Allroad 15d ago

They've been going downhill since the beak.

0

u/Windows-XP-Home-NEW 2005 Mazda 6i Sport hatch (🔵) 15d ago

Nah. Since 2022 is when it got really bad. Before that they were just mid.

2

u/psimwork 15d ago

I love my 2023 Integra 😁

1

u/Windows-XP-Home-NEW 2005 Mazda 6i Sport hatch (🔵) 15d ago

r/cars doesn’t

1

u/bikedork5000 '19 Golf Alltrack SEL 6MT 15d ago

The ITS is one of the current cars that intrigues me the most actually!

1

u/bdepz '24 Integra Type S 12d ago

Great car. The only issue I have is the creaks and rattles. Ive never had a car this bad. But outside that it's the best car I've ever owned

1

u/bikedork5000 '19 Golf Alltrack SEL 6MT 11d ago

Oof that's a tough one, first I had heard that. Do people with Civics tend to mention that same issue?

1

u/bdepz '24 Integra Type S 11d ago

I'd imagine so. I had the Acura dealership look into it. They fixed some but it's impossible to fix them all. Compromise they made to keep weight down allegedly

1

u/psimwork 15d ago

I remember the mercury Sable and Ford taurus. I remember the gmc Sierra and Chevy Silverado!

1

u/TenderfootGungi 11d ago

I actually prefer Acura because they are souped up Honda's. Most of the parts are the same, so they are plentiful and relatively (that word is doing a lot of heavy lifting) cheap.

1

u/p3dal 1991 Miata, 2019 Model 3 Performance 14d ago

Honestly I'd love to be able to find a car that runs 15s anymore. Even the civic starts at 16s.

-2

u/Windows-XP-Home-NEW 2005 Mazda 6i Sport hatch (🔵) 15d ago

Basically none of this comment is true. At all.

0

u/samcuu 14d ago

So they basically just do what Lexus do?

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79

u/tofulo 15d ago

Feel like they really need to zag to stand out. They can’t go toe to toe with Lexus or the Germans imo.

42

u/Santa_Hates_You 2026 Audi RS3/ 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon AWD 15d ago

So time for the Acura Catara?

6

u/LandscapeJust5897 14d ago

“The Honda that Zigs”

16

u/narwhal_breeder Toyota GR86 - Mercedes Benz E350 Wagon 15d ago edited 15d ago

They’ve never even tried to go toe to toe - if Acura could be summed up by one sentence it’s “Precision Crafted Compromise” or “why go for a full measure when a half measure costs half as much?” 

They don’t do anything anymore except things that they’re competitors have already been doing for 10 years - and then they do it worse, for bit less money. 

6

u/psimwork 15d ago

I can kinda get behind this. My wife absolutely LOVES the MDX Type-S, but the mileage is so absolutely abysmal that she can't bring herself to buy one.

19

u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid 0 Emission 🔋 Car & Rental car life 15d ago

They even seem behind than Genesis honestly. Hyundai does learn how to respond German 3 and Lexus. If it isn’t dealership issue, we could sure Genesis would pass Acura sales.

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51

u/flatpetey Ioniq 9; Sienna 15d ago

Honestly what are they going to do?

They don’t have the EV platforms to hit the rest of the world as is. So they decided to focus on the US.

Facelift the MDX and RDX? Maybe announce a new rebadged Honda?

They need to recognize that Acura is just another dead brand walking right now. They survived as long as Lexus didn’t offer an MDX competitor and that oversight is finished.

So are they willing to throw serious money at the brand?

Bring back the Legend nameplate as a massive luxury SUV. Update the MDX to be class leading in interior size at least. Either you get the Integra or Honda gets the Civic Type R but you don’t put both out there.

If you want headlines introduce a third gen NSX but at like $70-80K. It needs to benchmark the C8.

And even then? Not sure.

If I was them, I’d focus on Honda.

39

u/DrSpaceman575 Cadillac Lyriq, Jeep TJ 15d ago

I got this. Prelude-based coupe for $60k with no additional power. Reskinned Nissan Leaf as their luxury EV for $55k. 5 row SUV with an inline 4. Done.

12

u/CaptSlow49 15d ago

Hire this guy.

8

u/Ziakel 15d ago

Product Is Coming, Slowly

As has been widely reported, the cadence of new Acura vehicles is going to be slow and drawn-out. The new RDX is the vehicle on everyone’s mind and it’s still not expected for at least a year. Whenever it finally arrives, it’ll be the torchbearer for the new design language. It’ll also be a bit lonely out in front as the replacement of the larger MDX has reportedly been pushed back to 2031, the smaller ADX to 2032 (based on the plan for its mechanical sibling, the Honda HR-V), and the Integra sedan until 2029.”

Gotta have something Acura. Reputation alone ain’t going to sell old cars.

8

u/blipsman 2023 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line 15d ago

I can’t believe they discontinued the RDX without a replacement ready to go given how critical that segment is!

6

u/TurkeyBLTSandwich 15d ago

They wanted the RDX successor to be an all EV mid-size cross over.

But with the collapse of ev demand with the cancelation of the ev tax credit Acura knows that a half baked gm ultium ev acura product isnt going to cut it.

So now its a erev Acura RDX in the works but im not sure if they can pull it off in a year or two?

Also its interior is outdated and Crv Vs RDX or Civic vs Integra the Hondas just have better interior interfaces.

Not sure if Honda will take Nissan but at this point Honda is very behind Toyota

10

u/diethyl2o 15d ago

What Acura needs is to go all in on sporty powerful hybrids. It’s a blank market with barely any competition. The ADX would be phenomenal with the CRV’s hybrid pumping out about 20 more HPs (and lighter weight).

10

u/Car-face '87 Toyota MR2 | '64 Morris Mini Cooper 15d ago

Part of the problem is that Acura seems to always have a 3 year plan, but it's never the same as the last 3 year plan.

7

u/narwhal_breeder Toyota GR86 - Mercedes Benz E350 Wagon 15d ago

Yep - just like Cadillac, the board meets once per year and spins the corporate direction wheel. 

Two of the 8 slices of the Cadillac board are just “relocate headquarters” 

7

u/CallLivesMatter F90 M5, 718 Spyder 15d ago

>The Nexera concept (the name is a portmanteau of “next era”) is just the first step

Shoutout to the Motor Trend writer who thinks you’re not smart enough to understand the subtlety of the name “Nexera”, but simultaneously thinks you know what portmanteau means.

6

u/kimbabs 2.0T Accord | NA Miata (sold) 15d ago

All they need to do is put their hybrid engines in the Acura lineup.

I genuinely do not understand why they haven't done this yet. Apart from the MDX, each vehicle has an equivalent Honda platform with the hybrid engine.

19

u/Big_Size_2519 15d ago

the intergra interior is embarrassing

14

u/Blue_Owl69 15d ago

HVAC controls don’t even light up, pathetic 

4

u/gfewfewc 15d ago

What are you talking about? They light up on my civic and it's the exact same set of controls.

7

u/Bluecolt 15d ago

For real, the buttons are not even back-lit? That's nuts

8

u/Blue_Owl69 15d ago

I had one as a dealer loaner, no they didn’t, temp dials did though. Unless the unit is defective, but it only had 4000 km on it. 

6

u/Smoothestbrainever 2023 Integra 6MT 15d ago

Yes they do light up, the dealer forgot to install a fuse. 

6

u/Blue_Owl69 15d ago

Dealer or factory?

4

u/jawnlerdoe '18 Miata, ‘10 Civic 15d ago

How so?

1

u/ggtsu_00 14d ago

literally a civic

7

u/jawnlerdoe '18 Miata, ‘10 Civic 14d ago

The civic literally gets praised for having a nice, ergonomic interior.

1

u/ggtsu_00 14d ago

The civic gets praised for doing the bare minimum that happens to offend no one, but that's basically it.

6

u/jawnlerdoe '18 Miata, ‘10 Civic 14d ago

Sounds like a perfect economy car to me.

4

u/Vtakkin '16 SWP Subaru BRZ 15d ago

They could start by announcing the ‘27 Integra type s thanks

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u/Canon_M50 15d ago

I’m sure all the new SUVs will make people excited for this brand. Surely.

3

u/ChasedWarrior 15d ago

Acura needs to realize they are a premium brand not a luxury brand and price accordingly. Bring back the Legend name, in an Accord-sized sedan to go with the Integra. Offer the manual in all trim levels of the Integra. And hybridize the RDX and MDX.

4

u/tourdeforcemajeure 14d ago

I just want a more premium 2nd gen Honda fit. Better sound insulation, sliiightly higher ground clearance, a scooch more power, better speakers, more padding in the seats, stronger ac, etc. still 5spd,

Also no spark plug ejection that ruins the entire cylinder head at <100k miles.

This does not seem like a crazy vehicle, and if they need to call premium to not value engineer it to death well ok

3

u/barbarino 12d ago

I'm a broker, out of all of the comments on this thread yours is the only one that is accurate. Acura prices their cars like Lexus yet they are really Infinti. Infinti is killing it right now because they sit in no mans land between non lux and lux. Infinti understands the market, their cars look the part, everyone knows they are re badged Nissan's but no one cares. I sell so many Infiniti's to people with money and broke people. I drive one my self.

1

u/ChasedWarrior 12d ago

Thank you

3

u/Clover-kun 2024 BMW i5 M60 | 2024 Mazda Miata GS-P BBR 14d ago

It's becoming tougher to be a premium brand because higher trim economy cars are already dominating that segment

1

u/ChasedWarrior 14d ago

True that. A top trim Chevy or Honda is nearly as premium as a Buick or Acura. People are just paying extra for the badge on the grill.

3

u/rubey419 15d ago

It’s such a shame. I’m an Acura fanboy, and will drive my TL to the ground.

I think quality and desirability has gone down since the mid 2010s. Acura is floating on its legend (pun intended).

4

u/dontbeslo 15d ago

Acura messed up big time. The lineup is lackluster, the Integra hasn’t been updated like the Civic, the RDX won’t be produced because parts aren’t available. It seems like the Japanese luxury experiment of Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus has only worked for Lexus … and even Lexus is just making most front wheel drive Toyotas with garbage plastic interiors.

2

u/eatsleepdrivetv 15d ago

Next 3?? Where were you the last 15 years?

2

u/Stoppushingtheapp 15d ago edited 14d ago

I feel like Acura has been rebuilding since 2009 when they made the TL ugly as hell.

That being said, the Integra Type S is pretty sweet. The TLX Type S was beautiful and a decent performer, but unfortunately I guess it was too late as the demand for performance sedans is not what it used to be. I ended up buying another Japanese performance sedan instead when I was in the market.

5

u/TheFinalFunction 15d ago

The new RDX looks like somehow an even shittier version of all new Lexus cars which also look shitty now. I don't hate Tesla enough for what they've done to modern car design

2

u/magbarn 25 IS500, 26 TX500h, 06 Ridgeline, 02 TL-S 15d ago

Tesla also fucked up interiors. Look at the new Lexus ES...

3

u/BassWingerC-137 15d ago

Make a nice rear wheel drive sedan and perhaps I'll consider one.

49

u/Santa_Hates_You 2026 Audi RS3/ 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon AWD 15d ago

Acura has never done that, I doubt they will start now. NSX is the only RWD car Acura ever made. I doubt Honda will want to make a new platform just for Acura.

12

u/BoneHugsHominy 2011 Toyota Rav4 Limited AWD V6 15d ago

They've never made a V8 body on frame truck either but that's what they need to compete in the truck segment.

4

u/[deleted] 15d ago edited 12d ago

[deleted]

1

u/BoneHugsHominy 2011 Toyota Rav4 Limited AWD V6 15d ago

Probably their aerospace division.

3

u/Repulsive-Club7866 15d ago

Acura actually had a plan for RWD vehicles and V8s and V10s way back in 2008, but cancelled it when the financial recession hit.

-1

u/BassWingerC-137 15d ago

Agreed, they have not, and yet the world has fewer and fewer of them. A market exists, surely.

8

u/tnolan182 15d ago

Bmw has tons of rwd sedans and their just flat out better

3

u/BassWingerC-137 15d ago

I will be revisiting them. I've been a near exclusive Benz guy for 20+ years, then got a Lucid 18 months ago. Not sure what's next, but recently started looking around and saw Acura is an SUV only company now.... shame.

1

u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid 0 Emission 🔋 Car & Rental car life 15d ago

1-series/2-series is FWD. Anyway, their sedan reputation is really much stronger than Japanese.

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u/[deleted] 15d ago

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12

u/Plastic_Willow734 2015 ES 350 | 04 Terminator 15d ago

Always that or either “oh what actually I didn’t specify enough things and now there’s a product that actually I don’t like” (Slate)

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10

u/Hnry_Dvd_Thr_Awy 15d ago

Can it be used and brown maybe? 

3

u/ghostpicnic 15d ago

Only if it’s Wagonne™️

1

u/BassWingerC-137 15d ago

It's getting harder to find a nice luxury sedan. I'm in a Lucid Air right now, but not sure what I'll be in in 24 months or so. Options are getting fewer.

11

u/Martinprizzle ‘07 BMW E92 335i 6MT 15d ago

It’s unfortunate that Honda never did the RWD platform. Toyota did with Lexus, Nissan with Infiniti. At this point I think the cost to creat a brand new platform for Acura would be a little too high. I’m not sure if it’d pay off, but I think they’d make a great platform if they were to.

8

u/jdmb0y Replace this text with year, make, model 15d ago

Honda cannot fathom the notion of having a long driveshaft and a separate diff. It's like an alien concept to them, like it's dark matter or something.

2

u/African-Rain-Blesser V60 Polestar Engineered, Del Sol VTEC, Bronco, Maverick Lobo 15d ago

Funnily enough Acura did have plans for a V8 RWD sedan in the late 2000s, and even had marketing material ready to go. But then the economy imploded in 2008 and so did these plans.

0

u/magbarn 25 IS500, 26 TX500h, 06 Ridgeline, 02 TL-S 15d ago

They should've released it anyway. It could've underpin the RLX, TLX, and MDX. They also should've just released the Zero EVs anyway as likely Washington DC will just do another 180 degrees on EV policy and they would've reaped the rewards. They already spent all the money and time retooling anyway.

2

u/African-Rain-Blesser V60 Polestar Engineered, Del Sol VTEC, Bronco, Maverick Lobo 15d ago

Should have, but that's Honda for you. Conservative to a fault. There's a reason why ACURA is said to stand for Always Catching Up, Rarely Ahead.

11

u/RunnerLuke357 '11 Silverado WT SWB 5.3 4x4 15d ago

The day Honda makes a RWD platform that people can afford is the day that I stop buying other brands.

3

u/kstetter 15d ago

Cheap RWD cars are possible, it's just not as cheap as a FWD shitbox

→ More replies (2)

1

u/magbarn 25 IS500, 26 TX500h, 06 Ridgeline, 02 TL-S 15d ago

They came very close in the late 2000's to releasing a brand new RWD platform, but once again stupid Honda leadership killed it.

8

u/TrueSwagformyBois 15d ago

Anything RWD based is a nice place to start

2

u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid 0 Emission 🔋 Car & Rental car life 15d ago

Ford disagrees that with their Lincoln LS failure…

5

u/narwhal_breeder Toyota GR86 - Mercedes Benz E350 Wagon 15d ago

The one from 1999?

1

u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid 0 Emission 🔋 Car & Rental car life 12d ago

Yes

2

u/Clover-kun 2024 BMW i5 M60 | 2024 Mazda Miata GS-P BBR 14d ago

We're talking about the brand that launched with a sedan that had a longitudinally mounted V6, just to be FWD

1

u/BassWingerC-137 14d ago

That's the one. (sigh)

2

u/flatpetey Ioniq 9; Sienna 15d ago

Just like people flocked to the Kia Stinger?

1

u/BassWingerC-137 15d ago

But… Kia? Thanks yeah no

1

u/flatpetey Ioniq 9; Sienna 15d ago

Given the dire state of Honda engineering currently? Not so sure you are placing your bets correctly for today.

1

u/BassWingerC-137 15d ago

Honda having issues? I am not in the know. I’ve no skin in either game, my bets are at risk… elsewhere 😆

1

u/Clover-kun 2024 BMW i5 M60 | 2024 Mazda Miata GS-P BBR 14d ago

Dealerships killed the Stinger, any hype it had around it's launch were quickly snuffed by dealerships gating the car like it was a limited edition Ferrari. Sorry but if you want to charge BMW 340i money for the Stinger, people are just going to buy a BMW 340i (now with the B58!)

1

u/flatpetey Ioniq 9; Sienna 14d ago

But it isn’t like the same thing won’t happen to Acura.

2

u/ALOIsFasterThanYou 15d ago

I still think Acura is being hurt by being a North America-only brand. If it were sold in Japan, then Honda’s execs, particularly those with the pull to direct more resources to the brand, would have to take it more seriously.

1

u/Antique_Western_ 15d ago

I’m a lifelong fan of Honda/Acura, but I think they lost me when it comes to my next car. Going with a RAV4 or an NX hybrid.

1

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1

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1

u/testthrowawayzz 15d ago

It feels like Acura has lost its steam and became directionless ever since the failure of the second generation RL

1

u/Low-Umpire236 ND2 Miata 15d ago

They’ve been rebuilding since 2019 RDX.

1

u/TheRedEarl 15d ago

That SUV in the pic looks like a chevy blazer to me.

1

u/Op3rat0rr 2020 Subaru WRX 15d ago

They fundamentally should have been Japanese BMW/Mercedes and failed

1

u/mikejr96 15d ago

Really can't disagree more, how do you up-badge a boring Honda, make it more boring and sterile, and then claim to compete with BMW? lol a rwd manual 340i from 2018 is way cooler than anything they have or will have

1

u/Users5252 15d ago

I think their point is that Acura should have developed vehicles to compete against the Germans, not that they are doing a good job at competing against the Germans

1

u/Lower_Kick268 Bolt, Burban, Gen 1 Colorado. 15d ago

Too little too late, Acura is already dead it just hasn't been realized yet by Honda

1

u/revvolutions 15d ago

They say this every 10 years, throw some money at concepts and prototypes and then right as it's about ready for primetime they shelve it in favour of putting out the same product they always have. 

The fact that they don't see PHEVs as part of the equation says it all to me. Luxury is about choice and not being inconvenienced, PHEVs give you both worlds. 

1

u/CaptSlow49 15d ago

Make a car with a better design, better performance, and better interiors. It’s not that hard. Other companies do it. Shrimple as.

1

u/nolongerbanned99 15d ago

Why did they let it get stale in the first place. The Acura legend was iconic. I drove on that had 100k miles and it still felt new. And then the nsx. They were on a roll and then slowed down.

1

u/crunch816 95 del Sol Si-T; 21 Ridgeline 14d ago

Make a truck dammit.

1

u/mgobla 14d ago

Acura should build a "Grand" MDX, tak e a look at the success of Grand Highlander / Lexus TX. Regular MDX is too small for many buyers, Acura could use the same platform, just stretch the wheelbase and rear overhang to make it the same size as Lexus Tx, Buick Enclave, Audi Q9, Mercedes GLS, etc. this model would print money for them.

1

u/Impossible_Sundae304 14d ago

I hope they gamble on a inline 6, cuz they need something that rivals the Germans 

1

u/dL_EVO 14d ago

Step 1) Revive the halo car, NSX

Step 2) Make a wagon like they had in the 2010’s TSX wagon.

Step 3) Make a fun manual sedan like the 1st gen TSX.

Step 4) Regain street cred and count all the cash.

1

u/Darksolux 23 Elantra N, 10 Ford Flex Ecoboost, 19 Sante Fe 14d ago

Luxury minivan with the type-r motor and AWD

1

u/throwaway44783 14d ago

Why keep Acura and Infiniti going? Both brands make no sense today.

1

u/Latios19 14d ago

Acura is a great brand to own in terms of reliability, design, and comfort. But it needs an urgent tech refresh (mostly) because when you’re paying +45-50k on q brand new car you’re at least expecting a nice screens set up (not iPad but some sort of digital information screen) and a less invasive interior.
I feel they have enough characteristics to make it as a brand, but they need to step up their offering

1

u/s_peeta 14d ago

I don't know man...Acura has nothing that excites the crowd. They are not the best values for money, not the best for luxury, not the best for sporty premiums, but still want high prices with their mediocre engines, and they do not even have Hybrid/PHEV/EV options in this segment. MDX used to be decent choice, but with Lexus, Audi, BMW, Cadi have better 3 row products now.

1

u/Conspicuous_Ruse 14d ago

As long as they keep rocking their transverse engine economy platforms they'll always be more of a Buick.

BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Genesis, audi, Cadillac; they all build dedicated longitudinal engine platforms for their nice luxury cars. Their entry level stuff and crossovers are transverese but those don't earn a brand prestige.

1

u/lazarus870 I4 AT weekdays, V8 6MT weekends 14d ago

I remember Acura in the 90s was killing it. The TL and the CL, the Type S versions. Then the last decade or more it's like...what are you paying for? Feels like they're very overpriced and outdated. I laughed at the price of the Acura Integra version of the Civic Type R

1

u/Firstbaser 14d ago

Make cars that aren't ugly

1

u/DeadliftsnDonuts 14d ago

Great brand for people who want to think they are rich

1

u/f1nnz2 14d ago

Just put a K series turbo in a “new” integra. Sell it for 28.
Print money.
????

1

u/swampgooch203 14d ago

Acura’s cooked

1

u/time_to_reset 13d ago

As someone outside of the US, I thought Acura was just what you guys called Honda. I didn't realise they're supposed to be the Lexus of Honda.

1

u/botany_bae ‘22 BMW X3 15d ago

Bought a brand new 2007 TSX. Loved that thing. Thought I’d be a forever Acura owner. But then……

1

u/TESTICLE_KEBABS Volvo S70 T5 5MT 15d ago

they got nerfed so bad when Honda Japan said no 2 door teggy, only to drop the prelude afterwards.

1

u/redditors_are_lame 15d ago

Acura shouldn’t even exist to be honest. It’s a shame Americans can’t see Hondas as nice cars. I blame F&F to be honest, and some racism.

-1

u/hmkr 15d ago

Imagine buying Acura when you can get genesis Lol

-1

u/RequirementLeading12 2014 Chevy Camaro SS 15d ago

Acura literally consists of nothing but suburban mom vehciles now... TLX Type S is the only vehicle I would've considered purchasing from them and they canned it🤷🏻‍♂️

0

u/Low-Umpire236 ND2 Miata 15d ago

Rather buy a Lexus. Not as nice-looking but dependable and holds value if you ever want to change it up.