Remembering the Acura Vigor
Ever heard of the Acura Vigor? You might know it as the Honda Vigor, the name it went by from 1994 onwards, but even that may not ring a bell. This luxury mid-size car was sold in North America starting in 1991, for the 1992 model year. It was positioned to compete with the Lexus ES, which proved to be a major success at the time.
This image seems made for nostalgia — do you remember this car?
Acura, launched in the mid-1980s, is to Honda what Lexus is to Toyota. Honda created the Acura brand to penetrate the North American market. Shortly after its inception in 1986, Acura began challenging premium automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The Honda NSX was even sold in America with an Acura badge, a sign of Acura’s aspirations.
The Vigor utilized a longitudinal inline-five engine and was sold under the Acura brand until 1994, when it was quietly replaced by the Acura TL, also known as the Honda Saber. Now, it’s become one of those forgotten luxury cars. Considering its offerings, it’s not hard to see why it didn’t make a significant dent in Lexus’ sales. However, the Vigor deserves some recognition for its strengths.
The Acura Vigor’s Specifications and Offerings
The Acura Vigor, which was the third generation of the Honda Vigor, was the first generation to be branded as an Acura in the US market.
- Engine: 2.5L NA I5
- Power: 176 hp
- Torque: 170 lb-ft
- Transmission: 5-speed manual/4-speed auto
- Drivetrain: FWD
In its home market, the Vigor had a choice between the 2.5-liter inline-five, which was sold in the US, and a 2.0-liter version of the same engine. In North America, buyers could select between the base LS or the premium GS. The GS featured leather seats, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, a sunroof, and a superior sound system. Mechanically, they were the same car; the GS simply offered more interior features.
An Ambitious Entry Into the American Market
The Vigor was a product of the Japanese asset-price bubble, a period of soaring stock prices and real estate values in Japan between 1986 and 1991. This made it a symbol of the optimism that characterized many decisions within Japanese industry during that time.
The decision to enter the American premium market was likely influenced by Toyota’s success with Lexus. The ES sold 20,728 units in the United States in 1990, 22,476 in 1991, and 39,652 in 1992. Combined with rising stock prices, a mid-size luxury sedan for the American market seemed like a sound idea.
The Vigor’s Underperformance
The Acura Vigor didn’t completely disappoint upon its release. Reviewers acknowledged its even handling, which resembled European luxury sedans of the time. Its 0-60 mph time of eight seconds was comparable to other vehicles, and the inline-five engine delivered a driving experience difficult to find at its price point, with the starting MSRP being $24,340. The Acura Vigor was noted for being a fun-to-drive car with a semi-premium, driver-oriented feel.
However, it ultimately wasn’t a Lexus. The ES 300 offered a more comfortable ride and a more spacious interior compared to the Vigor. It also had more power, with its V6 engine delivering 185 hp and reaching 60 mph a fraction of a second quicker than the Acura Vigor.
The ES 300 started at around $28,650 for the 1992 model year, which was over $4,000 more than the Vigor. That higher price, however, didn’t appear to deter premium import buyers in the early to mid-1990s. While the US economy experienced rising unemployment in 1991, wages, employment, and consumer spending were booming by 1994. Those in the market for a Japanese luxury car were unlikely to choose the lesser-known Acura simply to save a few thousand dollars.
The Acura Vigor’s Sales Figures
Looking at the sales figures throughout the Vigor’s lifespan, it’s clear that the car never achieved a high sales volume:
- 1991: 11,324
- 1992: 13,846
- 1993: 10,016
- 1994: 8,469
- 1995: 253
In 1992 alone, the Lexus ES sold almost three times as many units as the Acura Vigor. Towards the Vigor’s final model year in the US, its annual sales never reached five figures.
Finding a Project Car? The Cost of the Acura Vigor
For some drivers, the Acura Vigor presents a more engaging alternative to a 1990s Lexus model, so it may be worth seeking one of the cars out. However, finding one may prove a challenge.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the fair purchase price for a 1992 LS sedan would be about $1,895, while a 1992 GS would cost around $2,095. However, in the real world, you might spend six or seven times that amount to find one in good condition. It’s not the rarest car in the world, but its disappointing sales figures mean there aren’t many available.
A 1994 GS 5-speed sold for $13,750 in mid-2020. A 1992 GS sold for $12,500 this January. In 2022, a 1993 model sold at auction for $13,300. The lowest price seen was a 1994 GS selling for $7,400 in July 2024. Mileage on these models tends to fall between approximately 50,000 and 110,000 miles. This shows that while it’s a great car, the Acura Vigor may not be the easiest car to get ahold of today.
