Why Acura Is the Smarter Premium Choice

You don't have to choose between luxury and good sense. Acura pairs premium design, performance and technology with average repair costs well below the industry average. At Gunn Acura on I-10 West in San Antonio, that means a vehicle you'll enjoy driving and feel good about owning for years.

What does "value luxury" mean?

Value luxury means paying for what makes a car better, not for a badge that makes it costlier to keep. Shoppers often face a trade-off: the German brands offer prestige with higher repair bills, and mainstream brands offer dependability without the premium experience. Acura is built to close that gap.

Every current Acura is a premium vehicle first. The RDX comes standard with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and the AcuraWatch safety and driver-assistance suite. The MDX offers three rows, standard Google built-in and up to 5,000 lbs of towing with SH-AWD, and the MDX Type S adds an exclusive 355-hp turbocharged V-6.

Is Acura reliable and affordable to own?

Yes. By repair-cost measures, Acura ranks near the top of the entire industry. RepairPal rates Acura 4.0 out of 5 for reliability, 2nd among 32 brands, based on millions of repair invoices.

Lower repair costs than the German brands

RepairPal puts Acura's average annual repair cost at $501, versus $652 for the average vehicle. Among luxury brands, that compares with $551 for Lexus, $908 for Mercedes-Benz, $968 for BMW and $987 for Audi. Acura owners also see fewer severe repairs: 8% of Acura repairs are classified as severe, against 12% across all brands. Consumer Reports' 2026 Automotive Brand Report Card also ranks Acura 9th of all brands for reliability, ahead of luxury rivals Audi and Genesis. RepairPal figures reflect unscheduled repairs on 2010–2019 model-year vehicles. Your costs will vary with model, mileage and driving conditions.

Resale value

A car that holds its value costs less to own. Kelley Blue Book named the 2025 Acura Integra its Best Resale Value winner in the Compact Luxury Car class, and named Acura the Best Value Luxury Brand in its 2025 Consumer Choice Awards.

Built for San Antonio driving

South Texas asks a lot of a car. Summer heat is hard on AC systems, batteries and tires, and daily miles on Loop 1604, I-10 and US-281 add up fast. Acura's SH-AWD and composed ride make weekend runs into the Hill Country as enjoyable as the commute, and the certified technicians at Gunn Acura know what local conditions do to a vehicle over time.

Which Acura is right for you?

There's an Acura for nearly every stage of life, from a first luxury car to a three-row family SUV.

Model Best for Highlights
Acura MDX — Three-row family SUV Families who need room for seven without giving up refinement Google built-in and Alexa Built-in standard; tows up to 5,000 lbs with SH-AWD; 2025–26 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK
Acura RDX — Sport crossover Drivers who want a responsive two-row SUV with everyday practicality 272-hp turbocharged engine; standard SH-AWD; up to 79.8 cu. ft. of cargo space
Acura ADX — Premium compact SUV Upgraders stepping into their first luxury vehicle 190-hp turbocharged engine; available AWD; available panoramic moonroof; 2025–26 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK
Acura Integra — Premium sport compact Drivers who want a fun luxury car with hatchback practicality 2025–26 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK; 2025 Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Award

Acura vs. Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz: how do they compare?

Acura's advantage is the combination: a luxury experience with repair costs closer to mainstream brands. Here's a fair look at the facts.

Source: RepairPal, unscheduled repairs on 2010–2019 model-year vehicles. Your costs will vary.
Brand Average annual repair cost
Acura $501
Lexus $551
Industry average $652
Mercedes-Benz $908
BMW $968
Audi $987

RepairPal reliability

Acura #2 of 32

Lexus #7

Consumer Reports 2026

Lexus #3 · BMW #5

Acura #9 · Audi #13

J.D. Power 2026 Dependability

Lexus #1

Frequently asked questions

Is Acura a luxury brand?

Yes. Acura is the luxury and performance division of Honda, launched in the U.S. in 1986. Current models such as the MDX and RDX offer premium features like SH-AWD, Google built-in and available Bang & Olufsen or ELS STUDIO 3D audio.

Is Acura reliable?

Acura scores well on reliability measures based on repair data. RepairPal rates Acura 4.0 out of 5, 2nd among 32 brands, and Consumer Reports' 2026 Automotive Brand Report Card ranks Acura 9th for reliability.

Is Acura made by Honda?

Yes. Acura is Honda's luxury and performance brand, sold through dedicated Acura dealerships. That gives Acura owners the benefit of Honda's engineering along with a premium design, technology and ownership experience.

Is Acura cheaper to maintain than BMW or Lexus?

By RepairPal's data, yes. Acura's average annual repair cost is $501, compared with $551 for Lexus and $968 for BMW, based on unscheduled repairs of 2010–2019 model-year vehicles. Actual costs vary by model, mileage and driving conditions.

Do Acuras hold their value?

Acura has strong recent resale recognition. Kelley Blue Book named the 2025 Acura Integra its Best Resale Value winner among compact luxury cars and named Acura the Best Value Luxury Brand in its 2025 Consumer Choice Awards.

Which Acura SUV is best for families in San Antonio?

The Acura MDX is the best fit for most families. It seats up to seven, tows up to 5,000 lbs with SH-AWD, and the 2025–26 model earned an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK. Smaller households may prefer the two-row RDX for its standard SH-AWD and 79.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo space.

What is the most reliable luxury brand?

It depends on the measure. Lexus led J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, while RepairPal ranks Acura 2nd of 32 brands, ahead of Lexus at 7th, with lower average repair costs.

Ready to drive smarter luxury?

See why San Antonio drivers are choosing luxury that makes sense. Visit Gunn Acura at 11911 I-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78230, to find your next Acura.