Acura is a luxury car brand under Honda Motor Company, established in the United States in 1986. It was the first luxury brand established overseas by a Japanese automaker. Along with Lexus (founded in 1989) and Infiniti (also founded in 1989), Acura is recognized as one of the top three Japanese luxury brands. The brand name is derived from the Latin word "Accuracy," and its logo depicts a caliper, a tool for precise measurement, symbolizing meticulous craftsmanship and a philosophy of pursuing perfection. The brand slogan is "Precision Crafted Performance," redefining the luxury car concept with a "Sport Luxury" philosophy centered on personalization and forward‑thinking technology.
All Acura models are designed, developed, and manufactured in North America, with a rich product lineup led by models such as the TL, RL, and MDX. In September 2006, Acura officially entered the Chinese market, producing vehicles through a joint venture with GAC Honda. In April 2022, GAC Honda officially announced that Acura would exit the Chinese market starting in 2023, bringing its 16‑year development journey in China to an end.
Foundation and Golden Age in North America (1986-2006)
In 1986, Honda USA planned the Acura concept in the cafeteria of an old office building. Initially, this concept was not looked upon favorably by outsiders - at that time, Japanese automakers were famous for producing economy sedans, and no one had high hopes for the luxury car market. However, Acura achieved great success upon its launch in the North American market, quickly becoming one of the best-selling luxury car brands in North America. In 2004, Acura's total sales in North America exceeded 220,000 units, and annual sales remained stable in the range of 100,000 to 200,000 units thereafter.
Localization Attempts and Chinese Market (2006-2022)
In September 2006, Acura entered the Chinese market in import form with hot-selling models such as RL and TL. In 2016, GAC Acura's first domestic SUV, the CDX, went on sale, marking the official start of Acura's localization journey in China. Acura reached its peak sales volume in China in 2017, with annual sales of 16,300 units. However, this number was vastly different from Lexus's 132,900 units and Infiniti's 29,100 units during the same period. Acura brand had set a goal of 100,000 sales in 2020, but actual sales in 2020 were only 11,200 units, dropping further to 5,762 units in 2021.
Exit from Chinese Market (2022-2023)
In April 2022, GAC Honda announced that to focus operational resources on electrification transformation, production and sales of existing GAC Acura brand products would cease starting in 2023. In January 2023, the GAC Acura official website stopped access, and the Acura brand that had entered China 16 years ago officially exited the Chinese market. For existing car owners, after-sales service is undertaken by GAC Honda authorized dealers.
Acura's product line is centered around SUVs, currently selling main models in the US market, with some models already discontinued.
SUV Series
MDX: Acura's flagship three-row mid-to-large SUV, one of the best-selling three-row luxury SUVs in North America, with cumulative sales exceeding 1 million units. Equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Type S version comes with a 3.0T V6 engine, with maximum power of 360 hp and maximum torque of 480 N·m. Affected by Honda's electrification strategy adjustment, the launch time of the new generation MDX has been postponed to early 2031.
RDX: Acura's core compact luxury SUV, with cumulative sales of about 850,000 units since its release in 2007. In early 2026, Acura released preview images for the fourth-generation RDX, which will be equipped with the Acura dual-motor hybrid system for the first time. However, due to product adjustments, the RDX is currently in a temporarily discontinued state.
ADX: Acura's new entry-level compact SUV, launched in the US in January 2026, with a length of 4,720mm, equipped with a 1.5T VTEC turbocharged engine, standard AcuraWatch safety system and 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, starting price $35,000. ADX shares the platform with Integra, positioned as a young luxury SUV.
Sedan Series
Integra: Acura's five-door hatchback sport sedan, updated to the fifth generation. The 2026 model comes standard with a 9.0-inch touchscreen and wireless phone charging, equipped with a 200 hp turbocharged engine, offering 6-speed manual transmission and CVT options. Integra accounts for over 40% of the retail share of the premium compact car market, with the average age being the youngest in the category. Integra is produced at Honda's Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio, USA.
TLX: Acura's mid-size luxury sport sedan, officially discontinued in 2025, ending its production history of over 10 years. The discontinuation of TLX means Acura's sedan lineup was cut in half, with the brand's focus completely shifting to the SUV product line. Sales of the TLX before discontinuation were significantly sluggish, with monthly average sales of only about 300 units after ten years since launch, with sales plummeting 93%.
NEV Series
ZDX: Acura's first mass-produced pure electric SUV, manufactured on contract by the Springhill Factory in Tennessee based on the General Motors Ultium platform. In the first half of 2025, ZDX sales were 10,335 units, accounting for about 15% of Acura's total sales in the US. However, this model was officially discontinued in September 2025. Honda stated this move aims to make the product mix better align with customer needs and long-term strategic goals.
RSX: The first pure electric SUV independently developed based on Honda's new EV platform, replacing the ZDX contracted by General Motors, planned for mass production in the US in the second half of 2026. RSX will be equipped with ASIMO OS operating system, capable of learning driver preferences and driving behavior to achieve highly personalized experience. Standard dual-motor all-wheel drive with vehicle-to-load functionality. RSX will be produced at Honda's Ohio EV Hub factory and flexibly produced at the same factory as Integra.
The Acura brand has performed steadily in the North American market. In the first 11 months of 2025, cumulative Acura brand sales in the U.S. exceeded 121,000 units, up 1.9% year-on-year. In January 2025, Acura sold 8,691 units, a 0.6% year-on-year increase. In the first eight months of 2025, cumulative Acura sales reached 89,577 units, up 4.6% year-on-year. Honda USA set an annual sales target of 160,000 units for the Acura brand in 2025.
New models have provided a significant boost to Acura sales. Combined monthly sales of the Integra and ADX reached a new high in November 2025, with 4,781 units sold in total. Driven by over $20,000 in vehicle purchase incentives, Acura ZDX electric vehicle sales increased significantly, surpassing 9,000 units by May 2025.
In the Chinese market, Acura has been fully discontinued since 2023. Analysts attribute the brand's exit to insufficient brand strength (low awareness and weak influence), insufficient product strength (a thin product lineup), and insufficient investment (lack of effective localization).
Acura's technical system primarily relies on Honda's R&D achievements but has developed its own unique competitiveness in several key areas.
SH-AWD Super All-Wheel Drive System: This all-wheel drive system is Acura's most representative core technology. SH-AWD (Super Handling-All Wheel Drive) can distribute power between the front and rear axles in a ratio ranging from 70:30 to 30:70, and can adjust torque output to each of the two rear wheels from 0% to 100%, significantly enhancing handling precision.
4th Generation SH-AWD Evolution: The latest generation features an electro-hydraulic control system that replaces traditional electromagnetic control, offering a simpler and more efficient structure. This system has been adopted in models such as the RDX and MDX.
2.0T Direct Injection VTEC Turbocharged Engine: Delivering a maximum power of 285 hp and a maximum torque of 380 N·m, achieved within the 3,000 to 4,000 rpm range, this engine provides responsive performance. It is equipped in the Acura RDX and other models.
Dual-Motor Hybrid System: Developed based on Honda's e:HEV technology, this system is planned to debut on the fourth-generation RDX model. It combines strong power with smooth response, injecting a new electrification dimension into the brand's sport luxury identity.
ASIMO OS Operating System: Set to debut on the pure electric RSX model, this system originates from Honda's robotics technology, ASIMO. It can learn driver preferences and behavior to deliver a personalized experience, while integrating autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance functions, with continuous upgrades via OTA.
AcuraWatch Safety System: A standard active safety and driver assistance system across the entire lineup, including adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, and other features.
In the second half of 2026, the mass‑production version of the pure electric RSX—independently developed based on Honda's new EV platform—will be launched in the U.S. It will be equipped with the ASIMO OS operating system, dual‑motor all‑wheel drive, and vehicle‑to‑load functionality. This marks Acura's transition from contract manufacturing on the General Motors platform to Honda's independently developed electric drive platform.
Affected by the failure of Honda's electrification strategy adjustments, multiple electric vehicle projects were canceled, including the early planning phase of the Acura RSX project, resulting in significant asset impairments from upfront R&D expenses. During the same period, Honda incurred a loss of 2.5 trillion yen (approximately 108.7 billion RMB) due to the contraction of its electrification front. ZDX production was already discontinued in September 2025. Acura has also adjusted its subsequent product planning: the TLX and ZDX have been discontinued, the RDX is temporarily discontinued, and the next‑generation MDX has been postponed to early 2031. Going forward, the brand will focus on multiple technology paths, including hybrids and pure electric vehicles, while deepening the adoption of hybrid technology.
Acura models are designed, developed, and produced in North America, with headquarters located in Minato City, Tokyo, Japan, and Torrance, California, USA. All vehicles are manufactured at North American factories within the Honda system.
U.S.: The Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio employs a flexible production strategy, simultaneously producing internal combustion engine, hybrid, and pure electric vehicles on the same assembly line, integrating production capacity for models such as the Integra and RSX. The Anna Engine Plant in Ohio also undertakes engine repair and production tasks. U.S. production capacity is primarily dedicated to meeting North American market demand.
Global Market: Acura is currently sold only in the United States, Canada, and a small number of global right‑hand drive markets (mainly targeting the Middle East). Since its withdrawal in 2023, no new cars have been sold in China.
After‑sales Network: In regions where the brand has exited (such as China), after‑sales service is primarily provided through the original joint venture partner, GAC Honda, and its dealer channels.
Acura's future strategic focus is on electrification and product line renewal in the North American market. The first mass‑produced vehicle based on Honda's pure electric platform, the RSX, is planned to launch in North America in the second half of 2026, marking an important milestone in the brand's transition to an independent pure electric platform. The new pure electric SUV RSX will expand Acura's electric vehicle lineup in 2026.
The fourth‑generation RDX, equipped with a dual‑motor hybrid system, will be launched to enhance the brand's core SUV product line. The introduction of the dual‑motor hybrid system will accelerate the overall electrification of Acura's SUV matrix. The Integra, MDX, and other models will continue to be sold within their current lifecycles. The next‑generation MDX has been postponed to early 2031.
While maintaining normal sales in traditional markets such as the Middle East, Acura will concentrate its resources on product updates and replacements in North America, striving to maintain its market share. Over the long term, Acura will pursue both pure electric and hybrid technology paths, with a focus on electrification transformation in its home North American market. However, Honda's significant pullback in its electrification strategy and substantial financial losses introduce considerable uncertainty into the pace at which Acura can push forward its next‑generation electric products.
© 2024 Bitauto.com. All Rights Reserved.
Bitauto (www.yiche.com and www.bitauto.com) is one of the most visited automotive websites in China. We provide detailed info on Chinese car brands available in your area. Please note that the information provided on this website is based on publicly available data and is for reference only. It may not be fully updated or accurate at all times.
