Acura becomes first automaker to achieve top ratings from NHTSA, IIHS on entire lineup
04/01/2009, 6:27 PM
By Drew Johnson
Volvo is probably the marque most associated with vehicle safety, but Acura has become the first automaker to achieve top ratings for its entire lineup from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Acura’s latest TL was the model that put Acura over the top, achieving a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. “No other automotive brand has accomplished what Acura has, nor can make the safety claims that Acura can,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile sales. “When consumers think safety, they really should think Acura.”
Acura accredits its top safety picks to its “Safety Through Innovation” program and its Automotive Safety Research Facility in Raymond, Ohio.



04/01, 6:33 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Good for them. Their cars still look like sh*t. I don’t think safety when I think Acura. I think ‘what the f*ck were they thinking’.
04/01, 6:47 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
i dont think they look like crap. the new tl looks so different from everything else that it makes everything else look boring as fnck!
04/01, 7:06 PM
posted by:
inspire
Agree with johnnyc — cars may be safe … but front grill looks like crap. Interiors … I think they look fantastic. Now — Acura should get their act together, hire the Ford designer who left and show the current head of design the door … and I mean FAST.
04/01, 7:20 PM
posted by:
Borat
I concur with Johnny & inspire. And I love Honda cars and respect the company. I hoped they’s pick the guy who left Alfa, but Subaru hired him and actually Subaru designs are OK, well latest Legacy does look like Accord. But technically very well executed cars have not all they great shell to go with it. Is it part of safety component?
04/01, 7:46 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Borat- The guy who worked on Alfa’s no longer works with Subaru last I checked- He worked on the last generation Imprexa- Remember, it had a grill similar to Alfa’s for a while? I liked them, but didn’t last for long apparently.
04/01, 7:50 PM
posted by:
Don
haters keep hating
04/01, 7:56 PM
posted by:
gugy
Acura makes very nice cars.
Reliable and very comfortable and luxurious.
I don’t like their latest designs(front grill), specially the TL. But the remainder line up is nice. My only negative about them is the high fuel consumption on the MDX, RDX and RL. Besides that I would buy them in a heartbeat.
04/01, 9:07 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
Hey Acura knows what they are doing While GMs are being recalled by the NHTSA the Acuras are making history
It all falls in line
04/01, 9:20 PM
posted by:
elviososa
well….FUGLY cars anyways!
04/01, 9:45 PM
posted by:
Need more oil four GM
Good for them. I do really like my Arura RL. Im just glad my grill looks good. the 09 is not as bad as the TLs but I still like mine more.
04/01, 9:57 PM
posted by:
Veda
Honda was as boring as Volvo that they said years ago they’re becoming the Asian Volvo. Today they really proved it.
04/01, 11:22 PM
posted by:
Bavarian_818
Hey guys, remember that this is the Acura line and not the Honda badged line up (no Civics, Ridgelines, Accords, Elements, Fits, Pilots, and CRV’s… This is a killer milestone…however, I agree with all of you about the design ques being WAAAAYYY out in right field…
Just think Acura could be on its way to becoming the largest U.S auto manufacturer …. D’oh!!!
04/02, 12:17 AM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
I don’t see what there is to complain about with the RDX in terms of fuel consumption. For a 4000lb vehicle driven by a 2.3l turbo, it seems normal — 18 mpg in town, 26 on the highway. That’s based on two years of driving one, not on whatever the sticker estimates are.
04/02, 8:22 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
It must be the shield on the front end that pushed the line-up over the top. That thing looks bullet-proof!
04/02, 12:23 PM
posted by:
coolguy8157
Their designs are a mess and the mpg is worse.. and people need to buy them only for their safety ratings ? I havn’t seen anywhere ppl getting 26 on an RDX. may be you drive too conservatively…02WRXPSM… The MDX has worse mpg than an FX35…how about that.
04/02, 1:04 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
Great for them. But their styling has gotten lousy. When I traded in my old ‘00 TL, I couldn’t stomach the new model. Got a Passat instead and have been happy with that decision.
04/02, 3:58 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Of course the cars are safe, when was the last time you heard anyone killed because their car broke down? Huh? When was the last time a loser puzzy with an Acura was hurt while their car was in the shop?
Hondas are safe because they are unreliable pieces of sh1t. Plain and simple. General Motors is a leader in safety because while their vehicles are the best in safety, they are also built to last.
General Motors. An American Revolution
04/02, 4:32 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
At least SOMEBODY is impressed by honda’s faux-luxury division.
Now the only hurdle is putting out something other than overpriced, underpowered rebadges
04/03, 2:58 AM
posted by:
The Stig
May be safe according to the NHTSA but it’s not safe from random projectile vomiting.