1992-1994 Acura Vigor Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Acura Vigor. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Acura Vigor.

1992-1994 Acura Vigor Review

Derived from the 1990-93 Honda Accord sedan, but on a longer wheelbase and sporting frameless door glass, Vigor filled the gap--in both size and price--between Acura's entry-level Integra and the luxury-flagship Legend. Vigors came in two price levels: base LS and upscale GS. All-disc antilock brakes and a driver-side airbag were standard from the beginning. Beneath each Vigor hood sat a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, hooked to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

Year to Year Changes

1993 Acura Vigor: A passenger-side airbag went into the 1993 Vigor GS model. Acura modified the automatic transmission to produce smoother shift action. The grille got a mild reworking, interiors benefited from additional sound insulation, and the GS gained color-matched bodyside moldings.

1994 Acura Vigor: For the Vigor's final season, a passenger-side airbag went into both the LS and GS models. A dashboard-mounted CD player became standard in the GS. Interiors switched from Zebra wood trim to burled-type wood.

1992-1994 Acura Vigor Road Test

Pros	Cons

Antilock brakes	Rear-seat room

Acceleration	Engine/road noise

Steering/handling

Cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Vigor's acceleration is strong, especially with the precise 5-speed manual shift. In fact, Vigor can push you back in your seat when tromping the gas toward the engine's 6800-rpm redline, but it's rather noisy in the process and suffers from vibration as well. In our tests of a model with the automatic, the Vigor reached 60 mph in just 8.8 seconds. Shifts with the early 4-speed automatic can get rough, sometimes lurching into a lower gear when stomping the gas pedal. Fuel mileage isn't bad, if unexceptional. We averaged 22.5 mpg with manual shift, but premium fuel is required. Agile handling and fine braking ability earn praise. So does the car's great outward view, plus satisfying detail finish. Body lean is moderate and the ride is satisfyingly flat, though the firm suspension delivers some jolts when going over poor pavement. Braking can be a tad touchy, but the antilock system works well. Tire noise could annoy, rumbling intrusively through most surfaces. The driver sits low, facing a dashboard with easy-to-read analog gauges. Interior controls are logical, smooth-working, and well within reach. Leg room is tight in back, and taller drivers may have trouble with head room in the front seat on models equipped with a sunroof. The Vigor's trunk is flat and roomy, extending far forward.

Value for the Money
Vigors are not necessarily cheap, even today, but at least you get a load of Honda/Acura virtues. Therefore, Vigors are worth a look if you're searching for a moderately-posh, older midsize 4-door sedan that also promises a dash of sportiness.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acura Vigor	Rating

Performance	4

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	5

Steering/Handling/Braking	6

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	6

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	5

Total:	48

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1992-1994 Acura Vigor Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Brakes: If the parking brake doesn't release, a rivet on the handle must be loosened. (1993-94)

Climate control: A blower that operates only on high speed and makes a whistling sound probably has a blown power transistor caused by a bad commutator ring in the blower motor. (1992)

Doors: Over time, the door lock actuator switch gets corroded which causes the alarm to go off when the door is unlocked and opened. (1992-93)

Doors: The linkage separates inside the door if the rear door handle is pulled hard. (1992)

Hard starting: If the engine is hard to start, the original owner may not have responded to the letter requesting that they have a redesigned distributor cap and engine-harness cover installed. (1993)

Steering problems: If the car drifts to one side at highway speeds, the alignment may be incorrect and is corrected by loosening the transmission mount bolt and subframe bolts and shifting the subframe. (1992)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$690

Alternator	$385

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,195

Brakes	$215

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$675

Constant Velocity Joints	$405

Exhaust System	$610

Radiator	$525

Shocks and/or Struts	$960

Timing Chain or Belt	$215

NHTSA Recall History

: None

1992-1994 Acura Vigor Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1992
Vigor	$1,300-1,800	$800-1,100	$200

1993
Vigor	$1,700-2,200	$1,100-1,500	$300

1994
Vigor	$2,100-2,700	$1,500-1,900	$400-500

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1992-1994 Acura Vigor Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	110.4

Overall Length, in.	190.4

Overall Width, in.	70.1

Overall Height, in.	53.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	3150

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.2

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	17.2

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.7

Rear Head Room, in.	36.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	30.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

All Vigors are powered by a 2.5-liter, 20-valve, 5-cylinder engine, which develops 176 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 4-speed automatic optional.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I5	2.5 / 152	176	170	5-speed manual: 20/27 4-speed automatic: 20/26	5-speed manual: 22.5 4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1992 Vigor

Front Impact, Driver	2

Front Impact, Passenger	2

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Japan

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1992-1994 Acura Vigor Review:

Acura Vigor

Acura Vigor Road Test

Acura Vigor Reliability

Acura Vigor Prices

Acura Vigor Specs & Safety

Acura Vigor Photos

Acura Vigor Full Review