Acura began its history in 1986 as the luxury division of the Honda Motor Company. It was the first luxury brand to go to market, beating both Lexus and Infiniti. The purpose of the Acura brand was to sell luxury versions of Honda vehicles outside Japan, in order to appeal to a broader, growing market at the time. Honda was able to go on selling commuter cars, while Acura catered to those with heavier pocketbooks.

Acura’s lineup started with the Integra and the Legend. Both cars were much simpler back then, but they boasted a little more luxury and power than their Honda counterparts. Nowadays, it can be hard for buyers to decide between brands since Honda models are now equipped with many of the same features that Acuras have. For the unaware, here is what makes these two brands so different, so they can make a wise choice when car shopping in the future.

Are Acuras Just Fancy Hondas?

Although Acuras may have historically been known as “Hondas with leather seats,” that’s no longer the case. First, every model in Honda’s current lineup is available with leather seats. But more importantly, Acura has built its own ethos of “Precision Crafted Performance” over the years, which separates it from its corporate sibling.

Acuras Lean More Toward Luxurious Performance

Taking a look at Acura’s current lineup, it’s clear that the brand has leaned more toward the performance-luxury side of the spectrum. For example, the Acura Integra, TLX, MDX , and RDX come with turbocharged engines, Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), and adjustable suspensions to cater to the driver’s needs on any surface they drive on. Additionally, each model is available with premium sound systems, upscale interior materials, and sportier seats with large bolsters and multi-way power adjustability.

Honda models have different drive modes and all-wheel-drive configurations as well, but models like the Honda Ridgeline, Pilot, and Passport are geared more toward comfort for everyday driving and road trips. They are more utilitarian than luxurious, despite their available leather seats.

Acuras Are Still Technically Hondas With Leather

That’s not to say that Acuras aren’t good for long drives, they are. But cloth seats are not available on any current Acura model, even the entry-level Integra. Whereas the Honda Civic and HR-V still come standard with cloth seats. Additionally, Acura models carry a large premium over their Honda counterparts. The Acura Integra starts at $31,800 and can go up to over $50,000 for the Integra Type S. While the Honda Civic starts at $24,250 and goes up to around $44,000 for the Civic Type R.

Related

Are Acura’s Actually Nicer Than Honda’s? Are They Too Similar?

We all know that Honda and Acura are two peas in a pod. Much like Toyota manufactures Lexus, Honda does the same for Acura. But to what extent? Of course, it’s not to say that these are identical post-production, but Acura shares many similarities with Honda and vice versa. Is Acura truly a nicer, fancier model? Is it worth the higher MSRP?

Acuras Are Mostly Sold In North America

Another difference between the two Japanese brands is that Acura is mostly focused on the North American market. Its vehicles are sold both in the United States and Canada, but they are also available in other countries like Kuwait, Mexico, and Panama. Additionally, Honda’s headquarters are located in Tokyo, Japan, while Acura’s headquarters is located in Torrance, Calif. Acura vehicles are also produced in factories located in Ohio, which includes the discontinued NSX supercar.

Add TopSpeed to your Google News feed.

There are four factories located in Ohio:

• Marysville
• East Liberty
• Anna
• Russells Point

These factories build all the current and past Acura models including:

• NSX
• Integra
• ILX
• TLX
• RDX
• MDX

These factories take care of everything from the engine, transmission, and all-wheel-drive systems, in addition to painting and assembly.

Honda Has Become a Little Racier Than Acura

Over the years, Acura has released many sporty models, starting with the Acura NSX in 1991. The automaker then went on to release other sporty models like the Integra Type R in the late 1990s, which led to the genesis of the “Type S” moniker in the early 2000s. Any model that wore the Type S badge, which included the RSX, TL, and CL at that time, was outfitted with sportier suspensions, manual transmissions, and more powerful engines.

Honda, on the other hand, produced its own sporty models, but they weren’t as special. The Honda Civic Si made its debut in 1986, and it still lives on today. However, it was always little more than a gussied-up Civic with a little more power. Then, there was the Honda S2000. The S2000 was a two-seat roadster with a front-engine/rear-drive layout and a near 50/50 weight distribution. Let’s not forget its high-revving engine that could redline at 8,000 to 9,000 rpm, depending on the model year.

Needless to say, Acura also had a little more of a leg on performance compared to Honda, which was indicative of their higher price tags. However, Honda has started to produce more race-like models over the past five years.

The Honda Civic Type R

After spending decades revising and improving the Civic Si, Honda decided to pull out all the stops and bring the Civic Type R to the U.S. in 2017. Before then, the Civic Type R was only available in Japan, Europe, and Australia. Of course, the U.S. market welcomed the new hot hatchback because it clearly showed that Honda could still make a proper performance car.

The Civic Type R had everything enthusiasts wanted, including a turbocharged engine that produced over 300 horsepower, a race-tuned suspension that was suitable for the street, and race-inspired bucket seats. The 2017 Civic Type R could go 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds, which was the quickest ever for the Civic nameplate. Since then, Honda has revised the Civic Type R, making it smoother for the street and tuned better for the track. It now puts out 315 horsepower.

Related

Is Acura Just As Reliable As Honda? Is Acura Better?

Let’s say it’s time to trade in my car (Honda), and I want something a bit nicer (Acura). Considering these are essentially the same build quality (Honda owns Acura), is there any real difference between them? Is Acura just a slightly better-looking Honda for much more money? What makes one better than the other?

Is An Acura Worth Its Higher Price Tag?

Considering the level of detail that Acura puts into its vehicles, it’s safe to say that they are worth their price tags. For example, when comparing the aforementioned Civic Type R to the Acura Integra Type S, the differences are apparent. Both cars have the same drivetrain — a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission — but the Integra Type S puts out five more horsepower.

Sure, that may be nothing to write home about, but the Acura adds other amenities like heated seats, an adaptive suspension, and an ELS sound system that is arguably better than the Bose one found in the Civic. Additionally, although the Integra Type S’ seats are not as race-car-like as the Civic’s, they are more comfortable and easier to access for daily driving. The Integra’s interior is also filled with leather and soft-touch materials for a more premium feel.

Ultimately, although the Integra Type S costs nearly $52,000 compared to the Civic Type R’s $45,000 price tag, it’s apparent where the extra $7,000 went when taking a closer look at both cars.

Acura RDX vs. Honda CR-V

The same comparison can be made between the two automaker’s most popular models: the Honda CR-V and Acura RDX. The CR-V is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that is made for fuel efficiency over power and there’s even a hybrid variant.

The Acura RDX, on the other hand, is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces nearly 300 horsepower, and it is available with the brand’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system that allows the car to gain more traction under hard cornering. That said, the Acura RDX is more performance-oriented and luxurious with its leather interior, aluminum accents, and ELS sound system.

Acura Is Worth the Premium

Anyone in the market for a sensible commuter car could find a lot to like about Honda’s current lineup. The brand has built itself to be one of the most reliable brands in the market and its vehicles are geared to take people farther in terms of gas mileage and durability. Acura has done the same, but the added luxury, power, and technology that is poured into its models is evident and worth every penny. Especially for those who like their luxury mixed in with a healthy dose of performance.