IS-F, RC-F, GS-F, LF-A. All steps in the right direction. The GS and IS are near the top of their respective classes, in terms, of driving dynamics.
GS-F is a miss. They underpowered it, so no one would cross shop it with the BMW M, MB AMG, or the Audi RS. IS-F is fine, but the RC-F is a lot better. The LFA is definitely fantastic, but they are also not available anymore.
The ES, IS are just snore machines with anemic V6 models.
Acura is trash and deserves to be irrelevant.
Acura is just Lexus without any of the F models an no RWD models.
The problem with Acura is Honda just has no gaul. They build Acura as upscale Honda instead of as its own mark. They have no coupes, no V8s and no models that are especially sporty.
The TLX is a great car for the people who want it. The RLX Sport Hybrid is a fantastic drivetrain under a bland snore machine. The RDX and MDX are better than any of their equivalents in other brands.
Honda split Acura from North American Honda next year. This does two things. First, it separates the Acura philosophy (which is quickly moving to AWD) from the Honda philosophy. Second, it puts increased pressure on the Acura brass to perform, as they can no longer hide behind the huge Civic and Accord sales.
Acura is just miles behind in a lot of ways, but damn, you can get a lot of standard features for a low price for a luxury automobile.