Acura Automobiles: Acura Chronology

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Listed below is every Acura model that has been available during the company’s 25-year history. Initial engine and drivetrain configurations are given, as well as a basic overview of year-by-year updates.

Vehicle: NSX
Years Available: 1991-2005
Original Engine: 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve VTEC V-6, 270 hp @ 7100 rpm, 210 lbs-ft @ 5300 rpm (with 5-speed manual); 252 hp @ 6600 rpm, 210 lbs-ft torque @ 5300 rpm (with 4-speed automatic)
Original Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic

  • New model; first all-aluminum production car; first variable valve timing and lift in production car; first use of titanium connecting rods in production car
  • 1992: Grand Prix White exterior color available
  • 1993: Passenger side airbag and seat belt tensioners standard equipment
  • 1994: Larger wheels and tires standard
  • 1995: NSX-T with removable roof panel introduced; electric power steering standard; electronic throttle control standard; torque reactive differential standard; automatic models receive SportShift manual shift control
  • 1996: No changes
  • 1997: New 3.2-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine produces 290 hp and 224 lbs-ft torque with 6-speed manual transmission (automatic-equipped models retain 3.0-liter combination); larger brakes with retuned anti-lock control; retuned electric power steering; dual mass flywheel; reshaped front spoiler; new wheels
  • 1998: No changes
  • 1999: Alex Zanardi Edition features exclusive wheels and tires, shift knob, numbered plaque, weight reduction, retuned suspension and titanium-finished center console and door trim
  • 2000: Perforated leather upholstery standard
  • 2001: No changes
  • 2002: All NSX models feature removable roof panel, NSX-T name dropped; pop-up headlights replaced with fixed-position HID headlights; lower air dam; redesigned taillights, air diffuser, exhaust tips, trunk lip spoiler; new Acura badging; smoother side sills; revised suspension; larger wheels and tires
  • 2003: No changes
  • 2004: Redesigned meter panel surround; new shift knob; standard keyless entry system; standard trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer
  • 2005: No changes; final model year

Vehicle: Integra Sports Coupe
Years Available: 1994-2001
Original Engine: 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder, 142 hp @ 6300 rpm, 127 lbs-ft @ 5200 rpm (RS, LS); 1.8-liter 16-valve VTEC inline 4-cylinder, 170 hp @ 7600 rpm, 128 lbs-ft @ 6200 rpm (GS-R)
Original Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic

  • Third-generation Integra; all new chassis and interior
  • 1995: Special Edition includes leather upholstery, sport suspension, rear spoiler, special badges; optional leather upholstery in GS-R
  • 1996: Six-spoke alloy wheels on Special Edition and GS-R; redesigned wheel covers on RS and LS; Body colored side moldings on LS; green-tinted window glass
  • 1997: Integra Type-R introduced with 195-hp 4-cylinder, sport suspension, larger brakes, lightweight body; Base engine output revised to 140 hp, 127 lbs-ft; Special Edition dropped; GS model added with 140-hp inline 4-cylinder, sport suspension and standard leather upholstery; 16-spoke alloy wheels on GS and GS-R
  • 1998: Revised front and rear bumper and front and rear light clusters; rear wiper standard on Type-R; tilt and height adjustable driver’s seat in LS, GS and GS-R; leather wrapped shifter and steering wheel standard with leather upholstery; new 15-inch aluminum wheels on GS-R; new finished 14-inch aluminum wheels on LS
  • 1999: RS model dropped; Type-R model suspended; leather upholstery standard on GS-R; 15-inch aluminum wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob on LS
  • 2000: Type-R returns to lineup with standard air conditioning, simulated carbon-fiber instrument panel, aluminum shift knob, unique upholstery and two Type-R-only colors; LS, GS and GS-R comply with TLEV (transitional low emissions vehicle) rating; platinum-tipped spark plugs used for 100,000 mile tune-up interval
  • 2001: Floor mats standard on all models; final model year

Vehicle: Integra Sports Sedan
Years Available: 1994-2001
Original Engine: 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder, 142 hp @ 6300 rpm, 127 lbs-ft @ 5200 rpm (RS, LS); 1.8-liter 16-valve VTEC inline 4-cylinder, 170 hp @ 7600 rpm, 128 lbs-ft @ 6200 rpm (GS-R)
Original Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic

  • Third-generation Integra; all new chassis and interior; GS-R with VTEC available in sedan for first time
  • 1995: Special Edition includes leather upholstery, sport suspension, simulated wood interior trim, special badges; optional leather upholstery in GS-R
  • 1996: Six-spoke aluminum wheels on Special Edition and GS-R; redesigned wheel covers on RS and LS; Body colored side moldings on LS; green-tinted window glass
  • 1997: Base engine output revised to 140 hp, 127 lbs-ft; Special Edition and RS dropped; GS model added with 140-hp inline 4-cylinder, sport suspension and standard leather upholstery; 16-spoke aluminum wheels on GS and GS-R; simulated wood trim in GS-R
  • 1998: Revised front and rear bumper and front and rear light clusters; tilt and height adjustable driver’s seat standard; leather wrapped shifter and steering wheel standard with leather upholstery; new 15-inch aluminum wheels on GS-R; new finished 14-inch aluminum wheels on LS
  • 1999: Leather upholstery standard on GS-R; 15-inch aluminum wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob on LS
  • 2000: LS, GS and GS-R comply with TLEV (transitional low emissions vehicle) rating; platinum-tipped spark plugs used for 100,000 mile tune-up interval
  • 2001: Floor mats standard on all models; final model year

Vehicle: 3.5RL
Years Available: 1996-2004
Original Engine: 3.5-liter SOHC 24-valve V-6, 210 hp @ 5200 rpm, 224 lbs-ft @ 2800 rpm
Original Transmission: 4-speed automatic

  • Replaced Legend Sedan; all-new chassis; largest-displacement engine and most torque ever from Acura; first satellite-linked navigation system
  • 1997: No changes
  • 1998: Revised suspension for improved handling; machine-finished aluminum wheels; 8-speaker 225-watt Acura/Bose stereo standard
  • 1999: Restyled front bumper, grille, headlights, rear bumper, taillights, front and rear fenders; increased body rigidity; restyled interior with updated navigation system; Premium model dropped; side airbags and dual-stage passenger airbag standard; 6-disc trunk-mounted CD changer standard
  • 2000: Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) standard; navigation system equipped with DVD map database
  • 2001: Name altered to 3.5 RL
  • 2002: V-6 engine revised to 225 hp and 231 lb ft torque; revised suspension for improved handling; improved sound insulation
  • 2003: New wheels; new taillights with clear turn signal indicators; choice of three colors for interior wood trim
  • 2004: Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition standard; XM satellite radio standard; 6-disc in-dash CD changer; 10-speaker stereo system; final model year

Vehicle: MDX
Years Available: 2001-present
Original Engine: 3.2-liter SOHC 24-valve VTEC V-6, 240 hp @ 5300 rpm, 245 lbs-ft @ 3000-5000 rpm
Original Transmission: 4-speed automatic

  • New model; first third-row seat in luxury SUV; first Variable Torque Management 4-wheel drive; designed, engineered and built in United States
  • 2002: Improved sound deadening; revised outside mirrors
  • 2003: Engine upgraded to 260 hp and 250 lbs-ft torque; 5-speed automatic replaces 4-speed; upgraded navigation system with voice recognition; upgraded driver-side airbag; optional DVD entertainment system
  • 2004: Redesigned grille, front bumper, headlights, taillights, dual exhaust; engine upgraded to 265 hp and 253 lbs-ft torque; side curtain airbags; brushed metal interior trim; enhanced interior illumination; tire pressure monitoring system; redesigned wheels on Touring Package
  • 2005: Upgraded navigation system; XM Satellite radio; Bluetooth HandsFreeLink wireless phone integration on Touring Package
  • 2006: Zebra wood and aluminum trim on Touring Package; 253 hp, 250 lbs-ft SAE Net (Rev 8/04)
  • 2007: Complete redesign, featuring the most powerful engine in Acura’s history, a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that produces 300 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 275 lbs-ft of torque at 5000 rpm, coupled with SH-AWD
  • 2008: No changes
  • 2009: Power tailgate becomes standard feature
  • 2010: Updated styling, an all-new six-speed automatic transmission, a revised chassis, additional content along with enhanced safety and convenience features
  • 2011: No changes

Vehicle: TSX
Years Available: 2004-present
Original Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder, 200 hp @ 6800 rpm, 166 lbs-ft @ 4500 rpm
Original Transmission: 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic

  • New model; an aggressive sport sedan that fits between RSX and TL
  • 2005: heated outside mirrors; 4-way power adjustable passenger seat; XM satellite radio
  • 2006: engine upgraded to 205 hp and 164 lbs-ft torque (SAE net Rev 8/04); revised front bumper, grille, headlights, foglights, side sills, taillights and rear bumper; Bluetooth HandsFreeLink wireless phone integration; upgraded navigation system with Zagat guide
  • 2007: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) becomes standard equipment
  • 2008: No changes
  • 2009: Complete redesign; the longer, wider TSX gains interior space and is powered by a 201 horsepower 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder engine.
  • 2010: New available 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 develops 280 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque and is matched with new 18-inch aluminum wheels, revised suspension and brakes
  • 2011: Revised styling inside and out, climate-controlled center console, acoustic glass, upgraded available navigation system and the arrival of the all-new TSX Sport Wagon

Vehicle: TL
Years Available: 2004-present
Original Engine: 3.2-liter SOHC 24-valve VTEC V-6, 270 hp @ 6200 rpm, 238 lbs-ft @ 5000 rpm
Original Transmission: 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic

  • Third-generation TL; all new body, engine and chassis; first vehicle with Bluetooth HandsFreeLink wireless phone integration, DVD-Audio surround sound standard equipment; standard engine more powerful than previous generation Type S
  • 2005: Updated front airbags
  • 2006: Tire Pressure Monitoring System; engine control modifications to reduce torque steer in TLs with 6-speed manual; 258 hp, 233 lbs-ft SAE net (Rev 8/04)
  • 2007: Revised exterior and interior styling, improved navigation system with AcuraLink Satellite Communication System with Real-Time Traffic; the Type-S performance model is reintroduced with 286 horsepower from a new 3.5-liter V-6 engine, re-tuned suspension along with unique exterior styling and interior trim
  • 2008: The Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition is upgraded to include Hawaii and the updated Real-Time Traffic system now includes 76 metropolitan markets
  • 2009: All-new fourth-generation TL expands the model’s capabilities and appeal with evocative style, a choice of two VTEC powertrains (including a new 305-horsepower V-6) and the TL’s first-ever application of Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).
  • 2010: Available 6-speed manual transmission (with SH-AWD model)
  • 2011: No changes
  • 2012: New front and rear styling; new 17- and 18-inch aluminum wheels, new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission for improved performance and fuel economy; revised interior and extensive of technology upgrades

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