Owning a fantastic vehicle like an Acura comes with many advantages. Being a luxury vehicle division of Honda, Acuras are known for their high performance. They also compare pretty highly to other luxury models.
However, you might be wondering how much it costs to repair an Acura or purchase its parts, aside from the usual upkeep of vehicles including things like oil changes and tire rotation.
In this article, we’ll answer an important question. Are Acura vehicles expensive to maintain?
Different Acura Model Costs Compared
There’s no denying that Acura has released many impressive luxury cars to the market throughout the years. But the two most popular ones are the TLX and the MDX.
In the following section, we’ll provide a quick comparison between these two models. We’ll discuss their costs in addition to the costs of their maintenance and repair.
TLX
A fascinating sedan, the first generation of TLX invaded the markets in 2014. With its excellent performance and impeccable design, it steals the spotlight.
But how much does it cost and how expensive is this Acura to fix? We’re about to find out.
Purchasing Cost (New and Used)
If you’ve decided to buy a new 2020 TLX Acura, then you should know its price starts at $33,000. This price doesn’t include taxes, license, or destination and handling charge, however. This charge will vary anywhere from $900 to $1,700 per vehicle, according to Kelly Blue Book.
When it comes to the accessory, labor, and installation costs, they vary according to your dealer. So, before you buy a new TLX Acura, it’s a good idea to ask questions when looking around at different dealerships.
Now, if you think it’s a better option to buy a used TLX, a 2019 model would cost you an average price from $24,000 to $30,000, but the prices might vary depending on the mileage.
Routine Maintenance Costs
We’ve taken the liberty to estimate the costs to maintain the TLX throughout a period of 5 years.
We figured that by the fifth year of an estimated 15,000 miles driven per year, you’d have spent about $4,000 on maintenance.
Common Repair Costs
As for the estimated general repair costs, then they’ll be about $800 in five years.
MDX
Another fantastic model is the Acura MDX. This vehicle is a mid-size, three-row luxury crossover, and was released to the market in 2000.
According to Honda, the MDX is the best-selling three-row luxury of all time. With its spacious interior, Hi-Tech performance, and sophisticated design, it has earned this spot.
Purchasing Cost (New and Used)
If you’ve been swept away by the MDX’s performance, then you might be thinking about its price. The 2020 MDX starts at around $44,500.
This price is excluding taxes, accessory, and more details you should discuss with your selected dealer.
However, if this price is too much for you, you might consider purchasing a used 2019 MDX. The cost may range from $32,000 to $36,000 depending on the mileage and the overall condition of the vehicle, whether it had been given regular maintenance or not.
Routine Maintenance Costs
Just like the TLX, we’ll break down the cost to maintain this Acura vehicle throughout a 5-year duration.
After an estimated driving of 15,000 miles per year, you’d have spent around $4,325 on maintenance.
Common Repair Costs
For the same duration and mileage, your common repairs would be around $900.
| Model | Purchasing Price | Maintenance | Common Repairs |
| TLX | $33,000+ | $4,000 | $800 |
| MDX | $44,000+ | $4,000 | $900 |
Still on the fence about why you should buy an Acura?
Are Acuras Reliable?
To answer this question, we’ll break down reliability ratings. These ratings compare Acura models to other car brands.
According to some safety tests run on 7 Acura vehicles, 6 had an average score of 9.8 out of 10.
Not only were we impressed by the safety tests, but we also found overall reliability tests to be promising. For instance, the Acura TLX scored 7.8 out of 10 based on 45 pieces of research.
On the other hand, the Acura MDX scored 8.5 out of 10 based on 46 pieces of research. Other models had great results, too, ranging from 7.8 to 8.9 points out of 10.
This should answer your question as yes, Acuras are reliable cars.
Most Common Problems and Repairs With Acuras
To better evaluate your decision to buy an Acura, here are some of the common problems that have been noted to come with the car.
Although it has a high-Reliability Rating, several issues have been reported over the years.
The latest generation of Acura vehicles come equipped with V6 engines. These engines tend to burn through large amounts of oil.
These vehicles have shown signs of needing more oil between Acura’s recommended oil change intervals.
Even though some blame it on the driver’s poor maintenance and driving habits, there were many complaints about this issue that no one should ignore.
In 2015, owners of the Acura TLX had transmission issues. The car would jerk between gears, overheat, and have problems when shifting into park.
Another common problem associated with the Acura TL model is that some owners faced cracks in their dashboards.
This issue had no link to the weather condition or the place in which the car was parked. But it only appeared in the 2004-2008 models.
Having a cracked dashboard can be dangerous when you’re driving. It can break under pressure and render the airbags useless. That’s why many customers have issued complaints.
This Bluetooth feature that allows your Acura to connect to your phone comes with a catch.
No matter how useful this feature could be, some users found that it can still be on even after you’ve exited the car. This means that it can drain your car battery without you knowing.
Conclusion
Acuras have claimed their position as reliable vehicles. They come with improved technology, impressive design, and other awesome features. That’s why you might be tempted to get one.
Whether you choose to buy a new or a used Acura, you should calculate how much they might cost you to fix and maintain, allowing you peace of mind in your decision. In addition, it gives you an insight into what to expect through years of driving an Acura.
Ultimately, it’s your call whether to enjoy the luxurious experience of an Acura or not.