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What Justifies An Acura Over Honda?

LexusLunatic submitted on 8/22/2007 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:51:41 PM

41 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: autoheadlines.blogspot.com

Tag Links: Acura, Honda

"Now this is a topic you guys can think about and debate about because seriously if you are getting the same type of interior and same comfort for thousands less then why even consider Acura? For the name? for the image? sure Acura is a well respected brand for making decent luxury cars that aren't too shabby on the reliability end of things.

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— LexusLunatic (View Profile)

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As a whole, I like the look of Acuras better. The interior uses nicer materials too.
— MF6453 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 1:15:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Believe it or not I agree fully.
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 2:14:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

I see no real difference between Honda/Acura or Toyota/Lexus or Nissan Infiniti. They are all just rebadged cars which honestly....should be illegal.
— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 2:07:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8

This is why I'd stick with BMW or M-B.
— auto_master (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 3:50:29 PM | | Votes: -4

Or Subaru. ;)
— TehShibbs (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 7:40:45 PM | | Votes: 1

I'm sick of fanboys... from EITHER side.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 11:04:26 PM | | Votes: 0

I have experienced no difference in the underpinning of rebadged cars. I mean, drive a ES350/Camry or TSX/Accord and the drive dynamics, powertrain and chassis behavior are not very much different. The higher end lexus and acura are better than their entry level cars but they are not fathoms better. You just have to pop the engine bonnet of any of these cars and you can see that they are essentially the same body structure design wise and powertrain.

Even the Honda and Toyota admit that most of their engineering design is derivative. I.E. Most hondas are a derivative of the accord and most toyotas are a derivative of a camry.

eg. corolla - we shrunk the camry using CAD
camry - camry
LS460 - we stretched the camry using CAD
— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 10:46:26 AM | | Votes: -1

It's kind of ironic that out of the Japanese 3, Honda was the first to release their luxury brand and yet they've consistently been outclassed and eclipsed by Toyota's and Nissan's luxury brands. I read a while ago that even Mitsubishi and Mazda considered luxury spin-offs of their own. Acura needs a big, luxurious, V8, RWD sedan to get started on their overhaul, and they better do it quick before Hyundai gets rolling...
— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 3:24:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

I would say you're partially correct Will...Toyota/Lexus yes, Nissan/Infiniti, not quite, although the last few years Infiniti has done a very nice job.
— cktoo (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 4:42:02 PM | | Votes: -2

I think the closest, that I can remember, Mitsu came to luxury was with the Diamante....I was a big fan of the 1997 Diamante.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 8:39:36 PM | | Votes: 1

Hyundai is no threatn Acura is what it is and it sells vechicles. So what if it has no V8 with gas prices how many will actually sell. Then they will have a bigger problem. RWD is a preferance next year all their vechicles will be AWD and will solve all issues.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 9:26:14 PM | | Votes: -1

I'll only speak to what I've owned (a TL). When I bought that in '04 I think there was a considerable difference between it and the Accord in every measure. This new Accord seems to have made a significant leap forward to where I think they'd be more comparable.

As for the price difference, you really have to consider the true cost of ownership. I think the price differential is actually much less than the sticker price would suggest when you consider what you get with the TL (only option being NAVI) vs. a loaded-up Accord. THEN at least, you were getting an appreciably better interior, very different driving characteristics, significantly more tech when it came to safety and performance (Bluetooth was fairly uncommon on vehicles when the '04 TL came out....as was DVD-Audio, the surround characteristics).

I think as of TODAY the equation is different, but that will change again with the '09 TL.

I really think the same arguments can be made for the entry level sedans at Lexus. Drive an ES back to back with a Camry.

But Lexus hopes you never drive an IS250AWD back to back with an G35X, because it pales by the comparison.

All that said, I drive an Audi, so yeah....tarted up Volkswagen you could say.
— finishline (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 3:53:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Acura would be elevated considerably if they would design one RWD modular platform for the TSX, TL, and RL and just adjust the wheelbase for each particular model. FWD is killing this line of cars. Sad to see since they have so much potential, with some of the best engines/engineers on the planet.
Just a frustrated automotive engineer of performance models writing! (I frequent this site often, it's one of the best)
— BMW995 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 3:57:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Acura is on the right track with the SH-AWD....RWD Japanese cars just aren't as in demand as German or American RWD cars are.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 8:43:17 PM | | Votes: 1

Well, what's strange is that they seem to be copying Audi, almost exactly. Some Acuras have very good interiors, they have SH-AWD on their high-end and SUV models and they have generally good driving dynamics. The differences: Audi has EXCELLENT driving dynamics, Acura has a lack of global popularity, as well as a lack of a cohesive design direction; Audi has true flagship vehicles and superb performance divisions, and there is no reason to buy an Acura over Lexus and Infiniti competition.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2007 12:38:12 AM | | Votes: 1

I really don't see much of a difference between Acura's and Hondas. The interiors are usually a tad nicer, but buying a fully Loaded Accord vs. An Acura TL doesn't provide much difference. The TSX is nice but a bit over priced for what it is. Infiniti is taking it in the right direction on not having the same car sold in the United States under Nissan, except for the QX56.

I don't feel people are taking Acura as a full blown luxury brand anymore as they don't have any 8 cylinder cars or RWD/AWD cars (minus the RDX, MDX for awd) and they're loosing ground fast to lexus and especially Infiniti.
— rok_altima (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 4:33:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

G is a Skyline everywhere else. Infiniti is only now getting hot their previous designs where horrible. Remember the previous generation M?
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 9:35:22 PM | | Votes: 0

RL is also AWD first Acura to debut with it and it was it strong selling point for the first year. I don't know what happen to sales after that because it's a good car in my book.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 9:37:44 PM | | Votes: -2

Infiniti is going to start in Europe and Asia, à la Lexus. And at least they're GETTING hot. Their cars are now very, very good. I can't say the same about Acura, which doesn't seem to have a clear direction.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 11:06:57 PM | | Votes: 2

Yes there is difference it’s not has big has Lexus/Toyota, one thing I can say is that the luxury car market is a game and everyone have the time to shine, if you look back in the early 90s it was all about Benz and mid 90s Lexus take the title and run away with it or just like infinity in the 90s people didn’t look at infinity has true luxury car and then 2000 came the step up they game now they on the rise trying to take the title from BMW for best luxury sport sedans, let just wait in see cause all the Acura about to redesign in 2008 I’m sure the learn the lesson and do the homework, I feel like Acura learn from they mistake and ready to explode in the 21 century
— luxuryboyzz (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 6:03:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Acura interior are so much nicer look at the RL interior layout and the MDX, more buttoms alot less plastic. The TL is on it's last leg but it's design layout is still more desirable to me than Honda's. Wait until Acura lineups are updated and then debate.
I own a 04 TL and my intrerior is leaps and bonds over the Accords of that generation. Plus with Acura you get better warranty, roadside assistant and every Honda option is standard on Acura, like bluetooth and XM.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 9:21:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I think the main reason for the slight differences is that Acura is only a North American brand. These same cars, excluding the TL, are sold as Hondas elsewhere. Our Acura TSX,for instance, is known as the Accord.

I think another factor is that Toyota (and Nissan to a lesser degree), has a much more expansive product lineup, making it easier for them to provide mostly separate platforms for each brand.
— MB124CE (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 11:30:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

There is precious little to justify an Acura over a Honda. Right now the new Accord looks to be all Honda/Acura most drivers would ever need. Acura's sportiest TL, the TL-S is the Acura to own. The RL is a joke as is the TSX, unless you go for the manual. Everything Acura builds is some variant of the Honda Accord chassis, that in itself makes Acura the sorriest "luxury" brand going. Infiniti is the most desirable of the Japanese luxury brands by far when it comes to the enthusiast. Lexus is the for the luxury buyer especially at the upper end = think LS. Acura does neither sport or luxury at the level of the other two. So again, what is their advantage? What is their claim to fame?
— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 5:24:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

F Infiniti I don't see there products doing nothing, WHY DON'T THEY SELL MORE THAN ACURA? I'll tell you why because they are Nissan's take your head from out of your ass and sit in a Infiniti and then a Acura and honestly tell me which one is better. Example last generation G to TL, shit even the RL interior is better than the M.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 6:50:43 PM | | Votes: -1

"...last generation G..."

You thought we wouldn't catch that?

The CURRENT G, which is on sale now and has been since last year, is a huge improvement. My friend is looking at leases, and has checked out the A6, G35 and TL. Even the A6 is on the upper crust with leasing, because like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, they don't have aggressive deals on their midsized sedans. So, he looked at the G35 more seriously, and TL sort of just "because." He claimed that the G35's interior put the Acura's to shame. Then there's the better driving dynamics, performance, style...
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2007 12:42:16 AM | | Votes: 1

The thing is that people cannot define the direction Acura is going into. Infiniti is going towards the luxury/sport/performance with unique design. lexus is going towards the ultra luxury/soft/and understated design. Acura dables in all areas and takes some ideas here and some there and none of their line up seems consistant.
— rok_altima (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 8:56:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Acura copies no one that is why they have a hard time. Everytime they debut it's original. Again take the TL when it came out in 04 it had technology in it that only Lexus and Infiniti could dream of a list of first in the industry.I'm not going to get into that because you people are smart enough to know what those technologies were.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 6:54:45 PM | | Votes: -1

The TL and TSX look alike; they have a strong family resemblance and Acura could've gone with that direction. I like the way the TSX looks, but TL bores me.

However, the RL looks completely different and quite frankly is the most bland car to look at in its class- even behind the Volvo S80. Then there's the MDX, and although it's my favorite Acura and the only one worth buying, it still looks nothing like the others. The RDX looks more like it, but they don't look anything like the sedans.

So which one is it? I don't want them to all look the same, but at least have a clear direction, Acura! And the interiors- all so different! Strangely enough, the RDX, RL and MDX all have similar interior designs, but the TL does not and the TSX's is yet another variation. What gives?
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2007 12:45:51 AM | | Votes: 1

Well overhere they are all Honda's so....
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 12:36:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

HID headlights, that's about it. Although the new Accord is making a good argument for getting a TSX/TL instead.
Although if I had the cash (and temporarily went insane) to get an NSX, I'd rebadge it a Honda.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 9:16:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

mikeydred20 - It is so obviously you don't have a clue about cars in general. You also seem to lack basic reading comprehension skills. Did you not read the part about the enthusiasts picking Infiniti over Acura? What part of that didn't you get? Acuras are nothing but fancy Accords, every single one of them from TSX to TL To RL. Who cares about the RL's cheapo Walmart boom-box looking interior? The car sucks. Sales, sales, sales...maybe you should follow your own advice and actually drive an Infiniti. Then again I'm expecting an intelligent response from you, not possible.
— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2007 2:20:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

You won't get a response from me at 2am that's for sure. Infiniti is not a better brand than Acura point blank. F what the magazines say and s4 your friend was on crack to say the G interior is better than the TL because a cheap interior is what it was knocked for. Meanwhile the TL was labeled the perfect blend of sport and refinement. If they are so super why is the GTR being developed as a Nissan. They will crash and burn in Europe.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2007 8:12:39 PM | | Votes: 0

Acura is for value. Accords are fantastic cars and Acura cars do not seperate themeselves enough from Hondas. Add average dealers and the cheapest luxury cars you can buy, well, why is Acura around?
— titsmagee (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2007 2:51:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Currently every Acura tops out more than every Infiniti in its class so tell me whose cheap? To all the haters they started this shit and if sales is what its ultimately about, I will say they are winning and they have a reputation for safety and quality. "Best Bang For Your Buck" Nissan couldn't dare load there cars with the standard features that an Acura offers.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2007 8:18:15 PM | | Votes: 0

i love both honda and acura they are both great car lines. yes a lot of the same feature but hey what car doesnt have something another car has....
— bwee (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2007 5:23:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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What Justifies An Acura Over Honda?

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