Is Acura a Japanese or American car?
Acura is a Japanese-brand luxury marque from Honda Motor Co., but many of its vehicles are manufactured in North America. In short, its origin is Japanese, while production for the North American market is often done in U.S. factories.
Origins of Acura
Acura was launched in 1986 by Honda as the company’s dedicated luxury brand, initially targeting the United States and Canada. The branding and engineering draw on Honda’s Japanese heritage, even as the vehicles are designed to appeal to global markets. The name “Acura” is widely discussed, but Honda has not officially stated that it is an acronym; various theories have circulated about its meaning.
Manufacturing footprint
Here is a snapshot of where Acura vehicles are built today, reflecting Honda's global manufacturing network.
- United States and other North American locations: A significant share of Acura models is assembled at Honda plants in North America to serve U.S. and Canadian markets.
- Japan and other regions: Some models and components are produced at Honda facilities in Japan, particularly for specific markets or during certain production cycles.
Manufacturing locations can change with new model lines, supply chains, and market strategies, so the current mix may evolve over time.
Brand identity and market positioning
As a brand, Acura is marketed with Japanese engineering and luxury credentials, even as its production footprint expands beyond Japan. Buyers in North America often associate Acura with a blend of Honda reliability and premium features, a combination that reflects Honda’s global manufacturing strategy.
What this means for buyers
For consumers, the key takeaway is that Acura vehicles carry a Japanese heritage and engineering pedigree, while their actual production location can be in the United States or Japan, depending on the model and year. This reflects a broader trend among global automakers to mix origin, branding, and manufacturing across borders.
Summary
Acura is a Japanese luxury brand under Honda, with a diversified production footprint that includes North American manufacturing. Its origin remains Japanese, even as its vehicles are built in multiple countries to meet global demand.
Why is Acura not sold in Japan?
The company has also previously sold cars in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Russia, and Ukraine. Plans to introduce Acura to the Japanese domestic market in the late 2000s did not eventuate due to the 2008 financial crisis. Acura was the first luxury division established by a Japanese automaker.
Is Acura American or Japanese?
Acura is a Japanese brand, as it is the luxury division of Honda Motor Company. However, most Acura vehicles sold in North America are designed and manufactured in the United States, particularly in Ohio, making them American-made.
- Japanese brand: Acura is a luxury and performance marque created by the Japanese automaker Honda.
- American production: Acura was the first Japanese luxury brand to have its vehicles manufactured in the United States, beginning in 1987.
- North American manufacturing: Today, the majority of Acura models sold in the US, such as the MDX, RDX, TLX, and Integra, are assembled in facilities located in Ohio and Alabama.
Is Acura made by Toyota?
No, Acura is not made by Toyota; it is the luxury vehicle brand of Honda. Toyota's luxury brand is Lexus, and Acura was created by Honda to compete with other luxury brands like Lexus.
- Parent Company: Honda Motor Company is the parent company that owns the Acura brand.
- Brand Creation: Honda established Acura in 1986 to create a luxury division for its vehicles.
- Competitor: Acura was created partly in response to the success of its competitors, and it competes directly with Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus.
What is better, Lexus or Acura?
Choosing between Lexus and Acura depends on your priorities: Lexus excels in reliability, luxury, and resale value, while Acura offers better value, a sportier driving experience, and lower average repair costs. Lexus is known for its smooth, comfortable ride and has a stronger reputation for long-term durability, often reaching higher mileage, according to sources like Lexus of Freehold and Parma Car Care Specialists. Acura is praised for its performance-oriented design and offers a strong balance of luxury and affordability, notes Acura of Overland Park.
Lexus
- Reliability: Consistently ranks highest in dependability studies, with vehicles known for long-term durability.
- Luxury and Comfort: Focuses on a premium, comfortable, and quiet ride with high-quality materials.
- Resale Value: Holds a stronger resale value compared to Acura.
- Hybrid Options: Offers a wide range of hybrid and electric models, which Acura does not.
- Maintenance: Provides complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first two services on many new models.
Acura
- Value: Often considered the better value due to a combination of lower pricing, performance, and technology.
- Performance: Delivers a more sporty and dynamic driving experience.
- Repair Costs: Has lower average annual repair costs than Lexus.
- Safety: May have an advantage in specific safety awards, such as the 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings for certain models.
- Maintenance: Offers complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first year/12,000 miles on new models.
Which is right for you?
- Choose Lexus if: You prioritize the absolute best long-term reliability, a luxurious and quiet cabin, and a strong resale value.
- Choose Acura if: You are looking for a sportier feel, a better value proposition, and potentially lower running costs, while still getting a premium and reliable vehicle.
