Chevy Chase Acura

Acura RDX scored the only "much better than average" rating.
Acura MDX scored a "better than average" rating.

What makes Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive® (SH-AWD®) different from conventional all-wheel drive systems? SH-AWD doesn't wait for the wheels to spin before it reacts. Instead, it monitors a variety of driving conditions, varying the engine torque among the wheels accordingly to help prevent traction loss and to increase turning precision. Acura developed this revolutionary system not only for better traction on wet and slippery surfaces, but also to enhance high-performance dry road handling.

Acura's heritage of innovation perpetually redefines state of the art in luxury automobiles. A steadfast commitment to Research & Development continues to pioneer industry firsts in fields such as structural design, safety, all-wheel drive systems, voice recognition, and cleaner engine technology. The Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™ brings a sophisticated electronic system normally found in racecars to the Acura gas pedal. And the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™) system introduces North America’s first independent torque-distribution control system to increase turning precision as well as safety. Intelligent design propels the VTEC® engine, another first that improves fuel efficiency at low rpm and boosts engine output at higher velocities. The tremendous passion Acura has for forward-thinking has led to safety advancements like Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™), building crash protection right into the frame of the car. Acura’s innovative spirit continually pushes the envelope, staying on the cutting edge by sharpening the edge itself.

Acura stands firmly committed to the efficient use of resources, materials and energy to help preserve Mother Nature for generations to come. Greener cars and greener car-making demonstrate a determination to fulfill our environmental responsibility. Trim aerodynamic design, increased fuel efficiency, and lower emissions grace every Acura vehicle to help protect our air, water, and soil. And landmark green initiatives have established our manufacturing operations as leaders in the efficient use of natural resources with minimal impact on the environment. Extensive pollution control measures create an advanced environmentally friendlier factory at the plant in Lincoln, Alabama, keeping it in harmony with the natural surroundings. Aggressive research and development enhances our efforts to become a leader in environmentally sound automobile manufacturing. Recognizing the impact it has on the environment, Acura constantly strives to build better automobiles, and a better environment.

After a decade of research and development, Acura's debut in 1986 marked the beginning of a bold and spectacularly successful venture: the creation of an entirely new automobile division, and the first Japanese luxury car brand. Garnering awards from the very start, in 1987 the Acura Legend won Motor Trend's prestigious Import Car of the Year trophy, and the Integra made Car and Driver's Ten Best list the same year. Acura's penchant for building high-performance, innovative, and meticulously crafted vehicles developed into an award-winning line of vehicles that perpetually redefines luxury performance.

Turning heads and exploding with engineering prowess, the stunning NSX sport coupe hit the streets in late 1990, blending mathematics and metaphysics to create what Motor Trend called the “best sports car ever built.” This aluminum bodied supercar made a quantum leap in automotive innovation by incorporating complete comfort and reliability into an exotic sports coupe. Continuing to advance their pioneering line of automobiles, Acura moved into the sport utility vehicle field with the unveiling of the legendary MDX, which proceeded to win Motor Trend's Sport/Utility of the Year award in 2001. 2003 brought the redesign of the popular TL, striking a chord with the tech-savvy consumer by offering innovations like Bluetooth® and DVD-Audio. And in 2004, the all-new 2005 RL made its much-anticipated arrival with the most powerful Acura engine to date, North America's most advanced all-wheel drive system—the revolutionary Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™) and North America's first real-time traffic feature.

Looking into the future, Acura designs concept cars like the visionary RDX, an urban adventure vehicle that combines high-tech functionality, street performance, and the versatility of an SUV. From new business models to new technologies and manufacturing processes Acura has blazed a path of innovation and achievement all but unrivaled in the automobile industry. Attractive design, muscular engine power, benchmark technology and everyday practicality have made Acura the favorite of a new generation of enthusiast drivers.