Acura cars are primarily made by Honda Motor Company, the Japanese automaker that also produces Honda vehicles sold across the world.
Acura is known for its Precision Crafted Performance philosophy, blending sporty driving dynamics with premium features at a more accessible price than most European luxury rivals.
Acura is the luxury and performance division of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and was officially launched on March 27, 1986, making it the first Japanese luxury brand to enter the North American market.
Knowing who makes Acura helps buyers understand the engineering heritage, quality standards, and technology platform backing every vehicle in the lineup.
This article covers Acura’s ownership structure, manufacturing locations, current model lineup, and how it compares to other luxury brands made by Japanese automakers.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Acura?
Acura is owned by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., the Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. Acura operates as a division of Honda rather than a separate company, sitting under the American Honda Motor Company umbrella for its North American operations.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is one of the largest automakers in the world by vehicle production volume. It manufactures cars, motorcycles, and power equipment, with automotive sales spread across more than 150 countries.
Within Honda’s structure, Acura handles the premium segment while the core Honda brand covers mainstream buyers. The two share platforms and technology but maintain completely separate identities, lineups, and dealer networks.
When Did Acura Become Its Own Brand?
Acura launched on March 27, 1986, in the United States and Canada simultaneously. It was the first luxury brand ever created by a Japanese automaker, arriving three years before Toyota’s Lexus and Nissan’s Infiniti both entered the market in 1989.
The brand was built around the idea that a Japanese company could compete with European luxury automakers on engineering and refinement rather than heritage alone. Its early flagship, the Legend sedan, and the sporty Integra established that credibility quickly.
In 1991 Acura introduced the first generation NSX, a mid engine sports car built almost entirely from aluminum, which became a landmark vehicle in the luxury performance segment. The NSX proved that Acura could lead on engineering rather than simply follow European rivals.
Where Are Acura Cars Made?
Most Acura vehicles sold in North America are assembled at Honda’s plants in Ohio. The Marysville Auto Plant builds the Integra, while the East Liberty Auto Plant assembles the RDX and MDX. Both facilities have manufactured Acura models for decades.
Two additional Ohio facilities support production without assembling finished vehicles. The Anna Engine Plant produces the engines for most Acura models, including the turbocharged V6 that powers the MDX Type S. The Russells Point plant builds transmissions and drivetrain components including Acura’s Super Handling All Wheel Drive system.
The newest Acura model, the ADX compact SUV, breaks from Ohio tradition. Launched in 2025, the ADX is assembled at Honda’s plant in Celaya, Mexico, making it the first Acura model ever built outside the United States, Japan, and Canada.
What Models Does Acura Currently Offer?
Acura’s current lineup consists of four models. On the sedan side, the Integra is the sole offering after the TLX was discontinued following the 2025 model year. The Integra is built in Marysville, Ohio and is available in both standard and high performance Type S form with up to 320 horsepower.
The SUV lineup covers three models: the new ADX compact crossover assembled in Mexico, the RDX midsize crossover built in Ohio, and the three row MDX also built in Ohio. The full lineup is available on the Acura official website.
Looking ahead, Acura is preparing the RSX, an all electric SUV built on Honda’s Ohio EV Hub infrastructure, expected to arrive in the second half of 2026 with a starting price around $50,000.
Acura vs Lexus vs Genesis: Who Makes Each Brand?
Acura, Lexus, Genesis, and Infiniti all operate on the same principle: a mainstream Japanese automaker creates a separate luxury brand to compete in the premium segment. Acura belongs to Honda. Lexus belongs to Toyota. Genesis belongs to Hyundai Motor Group. Infiniti belongs to Nissan.
Acura has the longest history of the four, having launched in 1986. Lexus and Infiniti followed in 1989, and Genesis is the newest, arriving as a standalone brand in 2015. All four share engineering platforms with their parent companies but maintain separate design studios and vehicle lineups.
In terms of manufacturing, Acura is the most North American of the four. The majority of its lineup is assembled in Ohio, while Lexus builds most of its models in Japan, Genesis assembles most vehicles in South Korea, and Infiniti produces primarily in Japan with some North American assembly.
Is Acura Just a Fancy Honda?
No. Acura and Honda share the same parent company and some underlying engineering, but every Acura is designed and built as a distinct product. No Acura model is a rebadged Honda, and the two brands do not share showrooms, dealer networks, or customer experience programs.
Acura develops its own exterior and interior design, its own performance tuning, and its own technology features. The Super Handling All Wheel Drive system found across the lineup, for example, is an Acura exclusive that does not appear on Honda consumer models.
The relationship mirrors what buyers see at Toyota and Lexus. Honda provides the financial backing, manufacturing infrastructure, and engineering foundation, but Acura is a genuinely different ownership experience from end to end.
What Is Next for Acura?
Acura is moving toward electrification while keeping performance at the center of its identity. The RSX electric SUV arriving in 2026 will be the first purpose built Acura EV, offering dual motor all wheel drive and a 0 to 60 mph time of around four seconds.
Honda has designated its Ohio manufacturing complex as an EV Hub, with multiple plants being retooled to support battery electric vehicle assembly. Acura’s Ohio plants are central to that plan, keeping the brand’s North American production roots intact as it electrifies.
The brand has also signaled that hybrid powertrains will play a growing role in its near term lineup, as the charging infrastructure in North America catches up with the pace of EV adoption. Buyers can expect a mix of hybrid and fully electric Acura models through the end of the decade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Acura
Was Acura the first Japanese luxury brand?
Yes. Acura launched on March 27, 1986, making it the first luxury brand ever created by a Japanese automaker. Lexus and Infiniti both launched in August and November of 1989 respectively, more than three years after Acura first appeared in US and Canadian showrooms.
Is the Acura RDX made in the United States?
Yes. The Acura RDX is assembled at Honda’s East Liberty Auto Plant in East Liberty, Ohio. It has been built in Ohio for most of its production history and continues to be one of the most domestically assembled luxury SUVs in its segment.
Where is the Acura ADX made?
The Acura ADX is assembled at Honda’s manufacturing plant in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. It is the first Acura model ever built outside the United States, Japan, and Canada since the brand launched in 1986.
Does Acura still make the TLX sedan?
No. Acura discontinued the TLX after the 2025 model year due to declining sedan sales. The Integra now stands as the sole Acura sedan, and the upcoming RSX electric SUV is expected to fill the performance role the TLX Type S previously held in the lineup.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.