page_title: Acura
section_title: Timeline
hierarchical_section_title: Acura / Timeline
caption_attribution_description: Acura Vigor photographed in College Park, Maryland, USA.
context_page_description: Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda. The brand was launched in the United States and Canada on 27 March 1986, marketing luxury, performance, and high-performance vehicles. It was introduced to Hong Kong in 1991, Mexico in 2004, China in 2006, Russia in 2014 and Kuwait in 2015, and was also sold in Ukraine. Honda's plan to introduce Acura to the Japanese domestic market in 2008 was delayed, due to economic reasons, and later withheld as a result of the financial crisis of 2007–2008.
  Acura is the first Japanese automotive luxury brand. The creation of Acura coincided with the introduction of a JDM Honda dealership sales channel, called Honda Clio, which sold luxury vehicles, joining previously established Honda Verno, followed by Honda Primo the following year. In its first few years of existence, Acura was among the best-selling luxury marques in the US. Though sales were down in the mid-to-late 1990s, the brand experienced a revival in the early 2000s, due to drastic redesigns and the introductions of new models.
context_section_description: 1986
  Acura debuts in North America as the first Japanese luxury marque.
  1990
  Acura dealerships in the US win their fifth consecutive first-place ranking on the Customer Satisfaction Index by J. D. Power and Associates
  Acura announces that it will expand research and development in the US
  The second-generation Integra is introduced
  1991
  The Legend coupe wins Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" trophy
  Honda's VTEC technology is introduced in the NSX
  Acura is introduced in Hong Kong by Reliance Motors
  1992
  The Legend and Integra are joined by the Vigor
  1994
  The third generation Integra is introduced
  1995
  Acura SLX (re-badged Isuzu Trooper) is introduced
  1996
  The CL is introduced as a 1997 model
  The Legend is replaced by the RL and the Vigor is replaced by the TL
  1997
  The Integra Type R is introduced
  The NSX receives 20 more horsepower with a larger 3.2 L V6 engine and a new six-speed manual transmission
  The Civic-based 1.6 EL replaces the Integra sedan in the Canadian lineup, while the Integra sedan continued U.S. sales until 2001
  1999
  Acura SLX is discontinued
  2000
  The MDX is introduced as a 2001 model along with a new CL
  2001
  The MDX wins the Motor Trend "2001 Sport/Utility of the Year" award
  Civic-based 1.7 EL launched, replacing the 1.6 EL, in the Canadian lineup
  2002
  The Integra is replaced by the RSX, which is a left-hand-drive version of the fourth generation Honda Integra
  The TL Type-S is introduced
  The NSX receives a cosmetic face-lift, with the retractable headlights being replaced with fixed ones. The suspension is also slightly revised, and an automatic transmission becomes optional
  2003
  The CL receives a new six-speed manual transmission, before being discontinued later that year
  2004
  Acura is introduced in Mexico by Honda de Mexico
  Third generation Acura TL is introduced
  The TSX is introduced and becomes a very competitive choice against popular BMW 3 Series
  The MDX receives a mid-model change with more horsepower
  2005
  The NSX is discontinued
  The RSX receives a mid-model change and more horsepower in the Type-S
  The new Acura TL wins "Consumer's Most Wanted Vehicle" at Edmunds.com
  Acura RL is introduced with the SH-AWD system
  Acura drops engine size from 1.7 EL model name
  2006
  Acura is introduced in China
  Acura RDX is introduced with SH-AWD
  Acura introduces CSX to replace EL, and is only sold in Canada
  The RSX (as well as the Honda Integra) is discontinued
  The TSX gets mid-model change with 5 more horsepower
  2007
  Acura MDX receives a redesign
  Acura TL Type-S is reintroduced, and the CSX Type-S is introduced in Canada
  2008
  Acura leaves the Hong Kong market
  Acura introduces the new RL, which receives a mid-model change redesign
  Acura introduces new TSX at the New York Auto Show
  2009 model year
  Acura TSX receives a redesign.
  Acura TL receives a redesign
  Acura RL receives a mid-model change
  Acura CSX receives a mid-model change
  2010 model year
  Acura introduces all new ZDX
  Acura MDX receives a mid-model change
  Acura RDX receives a mid-model change
  Acura TSX receives an optional V6 engine from the TL and a minor mid-model change
  2011 model year
  Acura TSX Sport Wagon is introduced
  Acura CSX is dropped
  2012 model year
  Acura TL gets mid-model change
  Acura TSX Special Edition is introduced
  2013 model year
  Acura ILX is introduced
  Acura RDX receives a redesign
  Acura RLX is released to the market.
  Acura MDX is redesigned.
  2014 model year
  Acura is introduced in Russia.
  Last year for both TSX and TL.
  Acura ZDX is discontinued.
  RDX little changes
  Last year for ILX hybrid, leaving Acura with the RLX Sports Hybrid (that will be coming soon)
  2015 model year
  Acura is introduced in Kuwait in April 2015.
  Acura is introduced in Ukraine in April 2015 through Pride Motors-based Honda dealerships.
  The 2015 Acura TLX is introduced and was expected to go on sale in summer 2014.
  The TL and TSX are retired, with the TLX taking its place.
  The ILX hybrid is dropped, leaving only the 2.0 and 2.4 engines.
  2016 model year
  Acura leaves Russian market
  A new generation NSX is introduced.
  Acura ILX receives a mid-model change.
  Acura RDX receives 
caption: 1992–1994 Acura Vigor
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