If you appreciate Honda’s engineering but are looking for something a bit more refined, without giving up the renowned reliability of the Japanese automaker, then Acura might be the answer you’re looking for.
As the first Japanese luxury division introduced nearly 40 years ago, Acura’s debut model, the Acura Legend, became an immediate success.
This achievement set the stage for other domestic automakers, such as Nissan and Toyota, to establish their own luxury brands.
Over the course of its development, particularly in the past couple of decades, Acura has produced some of the finest Japanese vehicles on the road, known for their excellent quality and reliability.
This reputation for reliability is reinforced by a recent study from Consumer Reports, which focused on the reliability of used vehicles between five and ten years old.
Acura ranked fifth overall among 26 competing brands in the study, with only Lexus outperforming it within the luxury segment. Honda, Acura’s parent company, came in fourth, narrowly missing out on the top spot, which was claimed by Mazda in third place and Toyota in second.
If you’re wondering which of Acura’s models stand out as the most reliable, keep reading as we explore and analyze the best Acura models from the past decade or so.
10. 2023 Acura RDX
Reliability Score: 78/100
The first Acura on our list is the third-generation RDX crossover SUV, which has been on sale since 2019. This is one of the three remaining Acura SUVs currently available.
The 2022 model year marked the first significant refresh of the RDX, updating both its interior and exterior, which received a positive reception.
As a result, the 2023–2025 Acura RDX earned a reliability score of 78/100 from J.D. Power, representing the best consistency of its generation so far.
2023 Acura RDX Performance Specifications
- Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 272 HP
- Torque: 280 LB-FT
- Driveline: FWD, AWD
- 0-60 MPH: 7.0 seconds
- Top Speed: 112 mph
- Towing Capacity: 1,500 pounds
- Payload Capacity: 1,013 pounds
9. 2015 Acura ILX
Reliability Score: 79/100
Next on the list is the 2015 model of the Acura ILX, the only generation of this sedan (2013–2022). It was based on the ninth-generation Honda Civic, and while it may not be as widely known as some of Acura’s other models, it still holds its place as a reliable and solid choice.
The 2014 and 2015 pre-facelifted versions of the ILX earned a respectable reliability score of 79/100, with a particularly strong 82/100 in the Quality and Reliability category.
Notably, these pre-facelifted ILX models were the only ones to offer the rare 6-speed manual transmission, a feature that was discontinued after 2015 due to low sales (less than four percent of all 2013–2015 ILX models were equipped with it).
2015 Acura ILX Performance Specifications
- Engine: 2.4-liter inline-four
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Horsepower: 201 horsepower
- Torque: 170 lb-ft
- Driveline: FWD
- 0-60 MPH: 7.1 seconds
- Top Speed: 129 mph
8. 2014 Acura RDX
Reliability Score: 79/100
Next on our list is the second generation of the Acura RDX crossover SUV (2013–2018). This generation marked a significant improvement in both quality and reliability compared to the first generation.
2014 Acura RDX Performance Specifications
- Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 273 horsepower
- Torque: 251 lb-ft
- Driveline: AWD
- 0-60 MPH: 6.5 seconds
- Top Speed: 135 mph
The 2014 and 2016 models of this generation each received an overall reliability score of 79/100, with the 2014 model scoring as high as 83/100 in the Quality and Reliability category.
A significant contributor to the reliability of this model was the inclusion of Honda’s reliable 3.5-liter V-6 engine, paired with a durable six-speed automatic transmission.
This combination played a crucial role in maintaining consistent reliability standards for the early part of the second-generation RDX.
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7. 2023 Acura MDX
Reliability Score: 79/100
The next model on our list is the current fourth-generation Acura MDX, which has been in production since 2022. This flagship three-row SUV continues to build on Acura’s legacy of luxury and reliability.
2023 Acura MDX Performance Specifications
- Engine Options:
- 3.5-liter Naturally Aspirated V-6
- 3.0-Liter Turbocharged V-6
- Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic
- Horsepower:
- 290 HP (Naturally Aspirated V-6)
- 355 HP (Turbocharged V-6)
- Torque:
- 267 LB-FT (Naturally Aspirated V-6)
- 354 LB-FT (Turbocharged V-6)
- Driveline: FWD or AWD (Naturally Aspirated V-6), AWD (Turbocharged V-6)
- 0-60 MPH:
- 6.4 Seconds (Naturally Aspirated V-6)
- 5.5 Seconds (Turbocharged V-6)
- Top Speed: 111 MPH (Both engines)
The fourth-generation MDX retains Honda’s dependable 3.5-liter V-6 engine as its base option, but it now comes paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission for the first time.
For those seeking more power, the Type S model offers an exciting 355-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6.
While the long-term reliability of this turbocharged engine remains to be seen, there’s no denying that its performance is outstanding and undeniable.
6. 2024 Acura Integra
Reliability Score: 79/100
Next on our list is the first generation of the revived Acura Integra (2023–present). This model brings back the iconic nameplate with a fresh take on its performance and design.
2024 Acura Integra Performance Specifications
- Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four
- Horsepower: 200 horsepower
- Torque: 192 lb-ft
- Transmission: CVT or 6-speed manual
- Driveline: FWD
- 0-60 MPH: 7.1 seconds
- Top Speed: 135 MPH
- Fuel Efficiency: 33 MPG combined
- Starting MSRP: $31,500 (2024)
While the 2015 Acura ILX was expected to be the last Acura model to offer a manual transmission, the current-generation Acura Integra defies that expectation, featuring an available 6-speed manual transmission.
This option is also available for the Type S model, which shares the same 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine as the fastest Honda ever, the Civic Type R.
5. 2016 Acura TLX
Reliability Score: 79/100
The next model on our list is the first generation of Acura’s flagship 4-door sedan, the TLX (2015–2020).
2016 Acura TLX Performance Specifications
- Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 290 horsepower
- Torque: 267 lb-ft
- Driveline: AWD or FWD
- 0-60 MPH: 6.2 seconds (AWD)
- Top Speed: 155 mph
The TLX model is one of the most consistently highly rated vehicles from Acura, earning a 79/100 score on six separate occasions over the past decade.
Much of its reliability can be attributed to its highly developed powertrain options, which include an efficient 2.4-liter inline-four paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission or a strong 3.5-liter V-6 combined with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
4. 2020 Acura ILX
Reliability Score: 80/100
The first Acura model to score 80/100 or higher is the first and only generation of the Acura ILX sedan.
2020 Acura ILX Performance Specifications
- Engine Type: 2.4-liter naturally aspirated inline-4
- Drivetrain: FWD
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Power: 201 hp @ 6,800 RPM
- Torque: 180 lb-ft @ 3,600 RPM
- 0-60 MPH: 6.6 seconds
- Quarter-mile: 15.2 seconds
- Top Speed: 130 mph
Following the 2015 model year, the ILX was exclusively equipped with a 2.4-liter inline-four engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The ILX also underwent a major refresh in 2019, updating its exterior styling and overhauling the infotainment and interior features to keep pace with Acura’s latest designs.
The K24V7 inline-four engine in the ILX is considered one of the most refined iterations of Honda’s legendary 2.4-liter K-Series and will remain one of the most reliable platforms Honda has ever produced.
3. 2018 Acura RDX
Reliability Score: 80/100
The third spot on our list is occupied by the final model year of the second-generation Acura RDX SUV (2013–2018).
2018 Acura RDX Performance Specifications
- Engine: 3.5-liter Naturally Aspirated V-6
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 290 horsepower
- Torque: 267 lb-ft
- Driveline: FWD or AWD
- 0-60 MPH: 6.4 seconds
- Top Speed: 111 MPH
The combination of one of Honda’s most developed versions of the 3.5-liter V-6 and a highly reliable six-speed automatic transmission has made the second-generation RDX one of the most dependable Acura models of the last decade.
This is reflected in the 2018 RDX’s impressive 85/100 score in the Quality and Reliability segment, the highest among all the Acura models we researched using the available data.
2. 2024 Acura MDX
Reliability Score: 80/100
The runner-up on our list is the fourth generation of the Acura MDX SUV, which has been in production since 2022.
2024 Acura MDX Performance Specifications
- Engine Options:
- 3.5-liter Naturally Aspirated V-6
- 3.0-Liter Turbocharged V-6
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Horsepower:
- 290 HP (Naturally Aspirated V-6)
- 355 HP (Turbocharged V-6)
- Torque:
- 267 LB-FT (Naturally Aspirated V-6)
- 354 LB-FT (Turbocharged V-6)
- Driveline: FWD or AWD (Naturally Aspirated V-6), AWD (Turbocharged V-6)
- 0-60 MPH:
- 6.4 Seconds (Naturally Aspirated V-6)
- 5.5 Seconds (Turbocharged V-6)
- Top Speed: 111 MPH (Both engines)
The naturally aspirated V-6 variant of the MDX offers one of the most refined versions of Honda’s iconic 3.5-liter J35 engine, which earned an impressive 83/100 score in the Quality and Reliability segment.
Currently, this generation of the MDX is the only vehicle in the Acura lineup to still offer this specific version of this reliable engine platform.
1. 2015 Acura RLX
Reliability Score: 84/100
Topping our list of the most reliable Acura models over the last decade is the first and only generation of the Acura RLX sedan, which once served as the brand’s flagship.
2015 Acura RLX Performance Specifications
- Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 310 horsepower
- Torque: 272 lb-ft
- Driveline: AWD or FWD
- 0-60 MPH: 6.3 seconds (AWD)
- Top Speed: 155 MPH
The 3.5-liter J35Y4 V-6 engine in the Acura RLX is widely regarded as one of the most robust and reliable platforms of its generation, regardless of displacement size or cylinder count.
If you are seeking a V-6-powered vehicle from the last decade, few competitors offer the all-around package provided by the RLX. It stands out as one of the finest sedans to feature this legendary V-6 engine.
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