Are you looking for a new or used Acura and do you want to learn what are the fastest Acuras around? If that is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic and we will learn everything when it comes to the fastest Acura models on the market right now.
- Who Makes Acura?
- History
- Drop In Popularity
- Acura Lineup
- Reliability
- Fastest Models
- Conclusion
- F.A.Q
Doing the proper research before you decide to spend a ton of money on a car is a smart thing to do. You just don’t want to get a car that you don’t like. And nowadays with the prices of cars breaking record prices every day, you just don’t want to risk it.
This is why you need to learn what suits your needs best before you decide to purchase a car. Especially if you want to get one of the fastest Acuras around. These cars tend to cost a lot of money and they better be worth it if you are asking me.
First, you will need to learn more about them and that is something that we are going to explain in this article where we will cover who makes Acura and a little bit about their history. We will also cover the reliability aspect of Acura as well as the Type S trim and their lineup.
Later on, we will cover the fastest Acuras around and learn all about these models that you can buy. So, if you want to learn more about this topic and see if this brand is good for you, follow along till the end because there will be a lot to cover.
Who Makes The Fastest Acuras
Now before we dive into the fastest Acuras, let’s first start from the basics and try to understand who makes this brand in general. I bet that there are a lot of people who are not into cars and want to learn more about the background of this make of cars. So, if you are one of them, the following two chapters are for you, if not, you can jump to the fastest Acuras chapter. Now let’s get into the topic and learn more about who makes Acura?
Well, the answer to this question is fairly simple, Honda makes Acura. But how come? Aren’t they independent brands? Well, actually, no. They are a sub-brand by Honda and they share a ton of components between them.
You can get an Acura at every Honda dealership. Even though Acura is a sub-brand, they are actually a luxury brand. But what does this mean?
This means that Acuras are more upscale models than your standard Honda. Their cars are a level above any Honda out there. And they are also a lot more expensive than your average Honda, so keep this in mind.
So, if you aim toward luxury, then this brand will be a perfect one for you. You will still get the Honda reliability but in a more luxurious package than the standard Honda. Not to mention that this make has a long history in the American market.
But more about the history we are going to explain in the following chapter where we will cover everything. Starting from the 80s till the present day and then we will discuss more about the fastest Acuras.
History Of The Fastest Acuras
Now before we dive into the fastest Acuras, let’s learn more about the history of Acura as a brand. We learned who makes these cars in the previous chapter but we didn’t cover their background and how this company was formed. So, let’s cover this briefly and learn more about this car brand and its history.
The Acura brand was formed in 1986 by Soichiro Honda. This was the time in history when each Japanese carmaker started to create a luxury sub-brand. Nissan created Infiniti, Toyota created Lexus, and Honda created Acura.
The name Acura is derived from the Latin word “Acu”, which stands for something that is done with precision. And the logo of the Acura brand is derived from calipers. This is a precision design tool that resembles Acura’s attention to detail and design.
Nevertheless, the Acura brand quickly created a big impact on the markets and became really popular. Especially in the tuner world that was booming at the time. Everybody was crazy about the Integra. In addition to the Integra, the NSX was another model that was highly praised by everybody.
And even nowadays these cars are worth a whole fortune to purchase on the US market. Especially the NSX models are collectible items that cost a ton of money to purchase. These cars were basically everything that a driver wanted. Great acceleration with the help of the VTEC system as well as perfect handling on the corners.
But in addition to the sports models, this brand also had a ton of luxury vehicles. Namely the Acura Legend, the TL, and RL models. But more on the models, we are going to cover a bit later before we dive into the fastest Acuras.
Drop In Popularity
Another topic that we would want to discuss before we cover the fastest Acuras is the fall in popularity when it comes to the Acura brand. As you probably know, Acura vehicles are not as popular as they used to be in the past. So, why is this the case? Let’s elaborate.
For this purpose, we will compare Acura and Honda with Lexus and Toyota. This is a good comparison since these brands basically overlap with each other. One of them is a success story and the other not so much.
If you look at the Lexus lineup and the Toyota lineup, you will notice a big difference. The models are completely different. Even though they are based on the same car, they are genuinely different vehicles.
And this is a success story because Lexus is a really good selling brand and nowadays it is a global brand. In only 30 years they have evolved into something really successful and profitable.
And now let’s compare them with Honda and Acura. Acura started well in the 90s and has created a name for itself. But as the early 2000s came by, the brand started to slowly lose its popularity. New Acura models were less sporty and fun to drive. This caused the Acura brand to lose some of its popularity in the market. But in recent years Acura is trying to regain the market share that it lost.
The Acura cars didn’t offer anything more than the standard Honda did. So, people would say, why buy an Acura when it can get a Honda for cheaper? They are practically the same, right?. And that’s what a lot of people did. But what are the fastest Acuras? More on that we will cover in a bit.
Acura Lineup And The Fastest Acuras
Now before we dive into the fastest Acuras, let’s discuss more about the lineup that Acura offers nowadays. This will be especially beneficial for you if you are on the market for a new vehicle and want to see what is the offering. What is worth noting is that first, we are going to cover the sedans, then the SUVs, and lastly, the sports cars. So, let’s begin.
The smallest in the lineup is the ILX. The ILX is basically a rebadged Honda Civic but with a ton more luxury toys for you to play with. The starting price of this model is $27,300.
The second on our list of sedans is the Integra. The Integra is basically the same car as the ILX but this model is more sporty and also it comes as a 5-door liftback in comparison to the ILX sedan. So, in the practicality aspect, the Integra is the way to go. This model starts at $30,000.
The largest model in the sedan category that Acura offers is the TLX. The TLX is basically a rebadged Honda Accord but as with the other models, it is more luxurious and a better car in every aspect. This model starts at $38,000.
Now let’s move into the SUV territory. In this class, there are two options. The RDX and the MDX. RDX is the most popular option out there and this model is based on the Honda CR-V. The RDX starts at $40,600. The bigger model is the MDX which is based on the Honda Pilot. This model starts at $49,050.
And the last in the lineup is the NSX. The NSX is the top-of-the-line supercar that Acura offers and is easily one of the fastest Acuras out there. This model starts at $169,000.
Acura Reliability
Now before we discuss more the fastest Acuras, let’s cover another topic and that topic is the reliability aspect. Reliability is really important because after all, you need a reliable car and not a car that is a basket case.
Some of the car brands that are sold out there cannot be regarded as reliable and owning some of their models can be a true nightmare. But is that the case with the Acura models? Let’s elaborate more on this topic.
As we already explained, Acura is owned by Honda. Even though these brands are different, they share a lot of components among them. So, in both makes you will see the same engines and transmissions, and the same suspension components. Their cars are simply built on the same architecture.
So, whenever there is a problem on the Accord, this problem is also present on the TLX. Whenever there is a problem on the RDX, this problem is present on the CR-V. And so on, you get the idea.
Luckily, Honda vehicles are really reliable cars. Not as reliable as a Toyota perhaps, but still they gravitate towards the most reliable makes than towards the worse from the worst.
When it comes to the aspect of reliability, you shouldn’t be worried much if you purchase a new vehicle. But if you purchase a used car, then you need to investigate the common problems for that model.
You need to be aware of the issues of the model in order to make the right decision because there are recalls and common issues that can be expensive to fix. But what are the fastest Acuras? More on that we are going to cover in a bit.
What Is Type S
Another thing that we would want to cover before we dive into the fastest Acuras is the question of what is the Type S? You have probably come across the Type S and the A-Spec when it comes to Acura models, now let’s explain what they mean in general.
The Type-S is basically a marque of cars sold by Acura. These are high-performance models. Like in the case with Honda and their Type R, so is the case with the Type-S. Even though Acura has also used the Type S branding on the Acura Integra Type R. But in 2001 Acura shifted towards the Type-S in order to create a space between the Honda and Acura models.
The first Type-S model was the Acura TL in 2001. This model featured a heavily upgraded 3.2L V6 engine that had 35hp in comparison to the standard version. Also, other upgrades included bigger wheels, bucket seats as well as heavily modified suspension able to tackle the track.
Basically, Type-S is the high-performance division of Acura. They create really quick vehicles of the line and also very unique cars with upgraded styling in comparison to the standard Acura models. So, if you want something sporty, then one of these models will be perfect for you to buy.
During all these years since 2001, a lot of other Type-S models followed. Nowadays, there are three models that are offered under this badge. And in the following chapters, we are going to elaborate mode on them. These are also known as the fastest Acuras out there. If you want to learn more on which are these models, follow along.
Fastest Acuras
Now let’s get to the point in this article, and that is the fastest Acuras. Which are the fastest models from this brand that you can purchase new out from the showroom floor? Let’s find out in the next few chapters.
Acura MDX Type S
The first in our list of fastest Acuras is the MDX Type S. This is an SUV that is branded under the Type-S model. This in other words translates into a lot of speed. And frankly, the MDX is very quick for an SUV.
This model is a brand new 2022 model year car with sharp modern looks and an aggressive front end that screams performance. The MDX is based on the same platform which is shared with the Honda Pilot. This means that the MDX is a mid-size SUV. And this SUV is a 7-seater. And not only that it is really comfortable. It is also very powerful as well.
The Type S MDX includes a 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine that produces phenomenal power. 355Hp to be more precise. And also, this engine is quite torquey delivering 354lb-ft of torque in the process.
This powerful engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. And this powertrain is laid out over Acura’s torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. All these upgrades are able to propel the MDX Type S from 0-60 in only 5.5 seconds. And for a mid-size SUV, these are really respectable numbers.
And what is good with this model is that includes air suspension which is combined with some stiffer sporty struts as well as adaptive dampers.
In addition to this, there are also a lot of steering upgrades. This model includes 21-inch wheels with 4 piston calipers at the front and an improved steering rack to deliver better handling.
In the rear, this model includes a quad-tip exhaust that looks and sounds exceptional. And this SUV has a true presence on the road if you are asking me. The starting price for this fast Acuras model is $73,000.
Acura TLX Type S
Now let’s move on to the next car in our list of fastest Acuras which is the Acura TLX Type S. The TLX as you probably know is based on the Honda Accord. This is a luxury sedan in the mid-size category.
The TLX similarly to the MDX is a fairly new model, the first model year was 2021. So, we can say that it is really fresh. And this is a good thing since this model is really up to date. It includes a much modern look that looks really aggressive and basically temps you to buy this thing. And this model has a ton of power under the hood.
The TLX comes equipped with the same 3.0L V6 turbocharged engine that is included in the MDX. This engine produces 355hp and 354lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that delivers extremely smooth shifts.
In addition to this, the Type S model also comes with the Super Handling AWD system that sends 70% of the torque to the rear wheels. So, we can say that it is rear-wheel-drive biased. Something that is crucial when it comes to having a sports car.
All these upgrades help the TLX to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds. This model is a second quicker than the MDX that we covered previously. What is good is that for the 2023 model year there will be even the fastest Acuras on the market. This special edition will be called the PMC Edition, referring to the Honda Performance Manufacturing Center that is currently building the NSX. And this is the model that we are going to cover next.
Acura NSX Type S
And the last in our list of fastest Acuras is the Acura NSX Type S. This Acura in simple words is a true supercar. As we all know, the old NSX model has a lot of following and enjoyed great popularity. So, Honda decided to rejuvenate this nameplate under the Acura brand and created the new NSX and released it in 2017.
This model is designed strictly for performance. It is a two-seater and if you are for practicality, then this car isn’t for you. But if you are one of those people who enjoys performance, then this car will be perfect for you.
It derives the same philosophy as the Ford GT. A lot of power in a small form factor. The new NSX does not rely on a big displacement engine.
The engine included in the NSX is a 3.5L V6 turbocharged hybrid engine. The engine in this model produces about 573hp and 376lb-ft of torque. Which is enough to propel the NSX from 0 to 60 in only 2.9 seconds. Making this Acura the fastest one ever produced to this date.
We hope that soon Acura will upgrade this model and bring more power to the table. But only time will tell what is going to happen. Now let’s conclude this article about the fastest Acuras.
Fastest Acura Cars Ever Produced Facts:
- Acura has produced some sports cars that can compete with other brands in the market.
- The Acura Integra Type R, which was launched in 1997, was a sportier version of the brand’s entry-level sports car.
- The Acura RSX Type-S was introduced in 2002 and has a tighter suspension, larger brakes, and a high-revving 210-hp engine, making it a good track performer.
- The Acura RLX Hybrid was the brand’s flagship sedan that was canceled in 2020 and was powered by an NSX-derived hybrid powertrain.
- The 2010 Acura TL was equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 engine, a Super-Handling AWD system, and an option for a six-speed manual transmission.
- The 2017 Acura NSX is the latest generation of the automaker’s supercar and has a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a tri-motor AWD setup.
- The Acura Integra Type R, Acura RSX Type-S, Acura RLX Hybrid, Acura TL, and Acura NSX are the top five fastest cars that the Honda luxury arm has ever produced.
- The Acura Integra Type R can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 6.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 140 mph.
- The Acura TL can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and up to a top speed of 150 mph.
- The Acura NSX can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and has a top speed of 191 mph, making it the fastest Acura on this list.
Conclusion To Fastest Acuras
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the fastest Acuras. First, we learned who makes this brand and also we covered its history of this brand. We learned why their cars are slowly falling out of favor and what is Acura trying to do to make them more appealing.
Then we learned more about Type S and found out what this stands for and also we covered our list of the fastest Acuras out there.
F.A.Q To Fastest Acuras
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
What Is Type S
Type S is a performance division by Acura. Before 2001, performance cars under the Acura badge were marketed as Type R which was shared with Honda. But after 2001, the Type S nameplate was created for the Acura models.
How Fast Is The Acura NSX
The NSX can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds and the top speed of this model is rated at 191 mph. Making it one of the fastest models out there sold right now.
What Is The Fastest Acura
The fastest Acura is the new generation of the NSX. This model has a top speed of 191 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds.
How Much Horsepower Does A Acura NSX Have
The NSX comes equipped with a 3.5L turbocharged hybrid engine that is outputting 573hp. This horsepower is enough to accelerate this model from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of over 191 mph.
How Much Is An Acura NSX
According to the official website of Acura, the starting price of this model is $169,500. This is the MSRP price before options. After options, the cost can go up pretty significantly.
