Acura: The Japanese Luxury Brand Behind Honda

Discover who actually manufactures Acura and why it has earned a place in the premium segment without losing its sporty DNA.

Acura is the luxury and high-performance division of Honda Motor Company. Launched in 1986 in North America, it became the first Japanese luxury brand, three years before Lexus and Infiniti. Its creation was a strategic move: to compete in the premium segment without the perception limitations of the Honda name, offering precision engineering and advanced technology while maintaining the reliability that defines its Japanese parent company.

From vision to innovation

Honda didn’t want to sell a “luxury Honda”; it created Acura as a technological laboratory, where engineers could experiment with turbo engines, advanced SH-AWD all-wheel-drive, and premium materials. Iconic examples such as the Acura NSX, developed with Ayrton Senna, cemented its high-performance reputation and proved the brand could compete with Ferrari and other European supercars.

Premium, but driver-focused

Acura doesn’t aim for ostentatious luxury but rather balances sportiness with cutting-edge technology. Its motto, “Precision Crafted Performance,” reflects a focus on precise driving, responsive engines, and innovative systems like SH-AWD. Current models, including the MDX and RDX, along with the high-performance Type S variants, showcase aggressive design and a clear focus on the driver experience.

Models available in Mexico and key specifications

Among Acura’s most prominent models in Mexico are:

• Integra: Compact sports sedan with 1.5L Turbo engine (197 hp) or 2.0L Turbo Type S (315 hp).
• TLX: Mid-size sedan with 2.0L Turbo (261 hp) or V6 3.0L Turbo Type S (350 hp) with SH-AWD.
• RDX: Luxury compact SUV, 2.0L Turbo, 261 hp, equipped with SH-AWD.
• MDX: Mid-size three-row luxury SUV with V6 3.5L or 3.0L Turbo Type S engines, up to 350 hp, perfect for families without compromising performance.

Estimated prices and brand positioning

Estimated 2025 prices in Mexico range from $869,900 MXN for the Integra A-Spec to $1,819,900 MXN for the MDX Type S. Acura positions itself as a premium brand offering innovation, advanced technology, and high performance, demonstrating that Honda can excel both in mass-market reliability and in the luxury high-performance segment.