In the late 1980s, Japan’s biggest automakers were all working to break into the luxury segment. While Lexus has become the dominant player, it’s easy to forget that Acura got there first.
The brand officially launched on March 27, 1986, unveiling its first models to the world. Those vehicles arrived on Canadian lots as 1987 model-year cars. In fact, Acura made its Montreal Auto Show debut in January 1987 with two models that would go on to define the brand’s early identity.
With that in mind, let’s take a step back and look at 10 models that have shaped the first 40 years of Honda’s luxury division in Canada.
1 — Acura Legend (1987–1995)
The Legend was positioned as the brand’s flagship, the car that was going to redefine what Japanese luxury could be. Powered by a 2.5-litre V6, then a 3.2-litre unit starting in 1991, it held its own against European rivals right out of the gate, thanks to its reliability, technology, and competitive pricing. Worth noting: the coupe variant got a slightly more spirited 2.7-litre V6 earlier in the game. The Legend’s strong reception gave Acura the foothold it needed to keep moving forward.
2 — Acura Integra (1987–2001)
The other model available from day one was the Integra, and it made a splash, especially among younger buyers, including yours truly, who still remembers admiring it at the 1987 Montreal Auto Show and dreaming of owning one someday. Available as a sedan or coupe, the Integra was powered by an increasingly eager four-cylinder engine. It quickly won over a younger crowd and accounted for a significant share of Acura’s Canadian sales for nearly 15 years. Today, the original Integra has achieved genuine collector-car status, and prices keep climbing. The trick is finding one that’s unmolested and in solid shape.
It was replaced by the RSX in 2002.
3 — Acura Vigor (1992–1994)
The Vigor is the forgotten chapter in Acura’s story. It generated a buzz when it arrived, but not always for the right reasons. This mid-size sedan was meant to slot between the Integra and the Legend, and it stood out with a 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder mounted longitudinally, a remarkably unusual layout for a front-wheel-drive car. It put out a respectable 176 horsepower for the era, and its 60/40 weight distribution gave it genuinely decent handling. The problem? It was expensive, its rear seat legroom was more compact-car than luxury-car, and it had a reputation for being costly to maintain. Three years later, it was gone without much fanfare.
4 — Acura NSX (1991–2005 and 2017–2022)
This is the crown jewel of Acura’s entire history. The original NSX was the first mass-production supercar to use a fully aluminium monocoque structure, powered by a 3.0-litre, then a 3.2-litre V6 from 1997, making up to 290 horsepower. Light, precise, and reliable, rare qualities for an exotic at the time, it completely rewrote the rules for what a Japanese sports car could be. Behind the wheel, it delivered exceptional performance and braking that was genuinely ahead of its time. And the design? Still turning heads at 35.
5 — Acura CL (1997–2003)
The CL holds a notable distinction: it was the first Acura ever designed and assembled in North America. This two-door coupe spanned two generations. The first (1997–1999) offered a 2.2-litre four-cylinder, then a 2.3-litre four-cylinder, or a 3.0-litre V6; the second (2001–2003) stepped up with a 3.2-litre V6 making 260 horsepower in Type-S trim, paired with a six-speed manual, no less. A genuinely elegant option in a market where luxury coupes were thin on the ground. Worth hunting down as a collector car.
6 — Acura RL (1996–2012)
The RL was meant to carry the Legend’s torch as Acura’s top-of-the-line sedan. The first generation (1996–2004) leaned into refined luxury with a 3.5-litre V6 and an integrated satellite navigation system, one of the first automakers to bring that technology to the mainstream. The second generation (2005–2012) introduced the SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system alongside a 3.5-litre V6, then a 3.7-litre V6, both making 300 horsepower. It never matched the Legend’s popularity, which is a shame, because it was an exceptional car in every respect. Perhaps a touch too polished to be exciting, but an outstanding grand sedan all the same.
7 — Acura MDX (2001–present)
Fifteen years into its run, Acura launched a model that would transform the brand, or, more accurately, give it a genuine second wind. That model was the MDX, the brand’s first seven-passenger luxury SUV. It was built in Alliston, Ontario, before being shipped around the world. The MDX brought something genuinely fresh to the table: a strong premium image at a time when luxury SUVs were still a relatively rare breed. It impressed the industry and earned its place in the market. Equipped with SH-AWD, among other things, it delivered handling that put most of its competitors to shame. It’s still in the lineup 25 years later.
8 — Acura RSX (2002–2006)
The RSX, successor to the Integra, was gone before it could really shine. This compact sport coupe was offered with a 2.0-litre VTEC four-cylinder in two states of tune: a base version with 160 horsepower and a Type-S with 210 horsepower, both backed by a six-speed manual. The RSX Type-S quickly became a benchmark in its class for driving enthusiasts. Its taut lines, well-equipped cabin, and sharp dynamics have made it one of the most sought-after sport coupes on the used market today, especially among buyers who came of age with it. Its discontinuation in 2006 left a real void in the lineup. For many, Acura has never quite found its soul since.
9 — Acura RDX (2007–present)
Acura’s first compact luxury SUV showed up at exactly the right time. The original generation made a statement with the first turbocharged engine Honda had ever offered in North America, a 2.3-litre four-cylinder pushing 240 horsepower. Later generations switched to softer naturally aspirated V6s, but the RDX eventually returned to its roots with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four making 272 horsepower today. It has since established itself as one of the best-selling compact luxury SUVs in Canada. A safe bet, thanks to its well-earned reputation for reliability.
10 — Acura Integra, Second Coming (2023–present)
We couldn’t wrap up this list without talking about the Integra’s return. The nameplate came back after a 17-year hiatus, not without stirring up some debate, largely because of its fastback body style and sedan configuration. The elephant in the room: this is essentially a Honda Civic Si with a different badge. This pattern has repeated itself a few too many times throughout Acura’s history, with models borrowing heavily from Honda while offering little that was uniquely their own. The Type S, which arrived in 2024 with 320 horsepower and hardware lifted from the Honda Civic Type R, a model Honda no longer sells in Canada, ironically, is genuinely interesting. But it isn’t the car that’s going to turn Acura’s fortunes around.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, a quick look at ten models that have defined Acura’s first 40 years in Canada. Stay tuned for our follow-up list of the 10 models that also left their mark on the brand’s history, but for very different reasons.
