Best Used Acura Model to Buy [2021 Guide]

Last Updated on July 23, 2021 by Jason Mason

Is it worth buying a used Acura? 

Absolutely. As you will discover in our Best Used Acura Model to Buy in 2021 guide, purchasing a pre-owned Acura is an investment. Why? Simple, no other brand comes close to Acura’s resale value. You can buy an $8,000 Acura today and still sell it at an incredibly good price two years later. This remarkable feat is possible thanks to Acura’s commitment to only using high-quality materials along with the most advanced manufacturing process.

With that said, are you ready to find out the best pre-owned Acura models to buy in 2021?

Criteria used in this guide

We only included vehicles 2005 onwards as we consider it a reasonable limit to guarantee a problem-free Acura. For each vehicle selected:

• We conducted extensive research on HonestWheels to find Acura models with the lowest incidence of issues. 
• We corroborated the quality and satisfaction ratings of these vehicles on reputable websites such as Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides, and Edmunds to rule out models with low levels of satisfaction and/or quality.

To ensure full transparency in the results (and avoid biasing our picks using our personal experience), we only used the online resources mentioned above.

Best Value – 2006 Acura RL Sedan 4D AWD 

Estimated Price Range $2,250 – $4,950 (2006)

We generally wouldn’t recommend a car with almost 15 years of use, yet, we are happy to make the exception for the amazing Acura RL. It is not common to find a car with so many features at such an incredibly low price. Aside from its reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine and its luxurious interior, what we like most about the Acura RL are its safety features.

At the time it was launched, the Acura RL was one of the first cars to include 4-wheel ABS brakes with integrated brake-force distribution and emergency braking assist. Add its standard all-wheel-drive and you will end up with a vehicle with outstanding handling and braking capabilities. Ideal for novice drivers, students, and people looking for an unbeatable price-value ratio, the Acura RL is hands down our winner in the Best Value category.

Best Reliable – 2010 Acura RDX 2WD

Estimated Price Range $6,029 – $8,442 (2010)

You can think of the 2010 Acura RDX 2WD as a Honda CR-V on steroids. It has better handling, uses a more powerful engine, has a roomier interior, and takes luxury and convenience to another level. We chose the 2010 model as it has the fewest number of reported problems, however, any Acura RDX model from 2009 to 2012 is an excellent choice.

Our decision of selecting the RDX as the Most Reliable Acura was no easy. In general, all Acura vehicles enjoy a reputation of being incredibly reliable. However, the 2010 Acura RDX 2WD stands out from the rest thanks to its remarkable satisfaction ratings along with its unbeatable price-value ratio. Matter of fact, depending on your budget and preference regarding a 4-door sedan or a midsize crossover, the 2010 Acura RDX could perfectly fit as the Best Value model for you.

Best Performance – 2017 Acura MDX FWD

Estimated Price Range $21,325 – $25,200 (2017)

The indisputable winner in the performance category is one of Acura’s top seller models, the 2017 MDX FWD. This beautiful SUV-crossover has it all. Awesome quality and luxury (on par with Mercedes-Benz’s GLK-Class and BMW’s X3 line), outstanding reliability, and unbeatable driving experience thanks to its powerful engine.

Now, concerning its performance, the FWD MDX model takes full advantage of its 290 hp V6 engine and the 9-speed automatic transmission to go from zero to 60mph in just 5.7 seconds. Considering the dimensions and weight of this 7-seater SUV that’s quite a feat. On top of that, the 2017 Acura MDX is not only quick but also fuel-efficient. Without a doubt, the Acura MDX offers a great balance between performance, luxury, and convenience making it a great choice for everyday usage.  

Overall Winner – 2013 Acura TL SH-AWD Advance

Estimated Price Range $9,675 – $13,782 (2013)

You might be wondering, what does it take to become the best used Acura vehicle in 2020? You can find the answer in the amazing 2013 Acura TL SH-AWD Advance. For an affordable price, you get one fo the best luxury sedans on its class, fully loaded with high-tech features, comfort, performance, and more.Hands downs, the 2013 Acura TL SH-AWD Advance offers the best balance between all the factors we considered for this guide. Value, reliability, and performance.

Its all-wheel-drive systems along with its powerful 3.7L engine and 6-speed automatic give it a pleasant drive, on par with BMW 3 Series, but at a fraction of the price. If what you are looking for is a reasonably priced sporty sedan for commuting, then the 2013 Acura TL SH-AWD Advance is for you.