Unveiled in 1989, the Acura NSX’s first generation came to show the old-time European supercar manufacturers how it was done. Said to be a sharper, more involving drive and an easier car to live with than any of them, it changed the perception of Japanese cars in the USA and put Acura on the map on US shores. Development from a three-time Formula 1 champion certainly helped make this sports car one of the most desirable ever.
The first generation bowed out after a 15-year production run in 2005. The nameplate was revived briefly in 2016 as a halo product for the brand’s hybrid technology. It may not have created the same stir as the first generation, yet it’s still revered as an involving everyday supercar. This article lists every generation and facelift of this Japanese powerhouse.
This article highlights the Acura NSX’s life cycle in the USA.
2017–2022 Acura NSX 2nd Gen (NC1)
Reviving an old nameplate isn’t easy, but Acura knew how important NSX was to the brand, so it tried to channel the same forward-thinking approach to the 2016 model. The first concept was revealed in 2012 as a hybrid sports car, even before the Holy Trinity of hybrid supercars was revealed (McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, and Porsche 918). The Acura’s development was split between Japan and America, with Japan taking charge of the powertrain and leaving everything else to the US.
The Acura NSX used a 3.5L twin-turbo hybrid V6 sent through a nine-speed gearbox to all four wheels. Three electric motors and a limited-slip differential helped get all 573 horses onto the ground. Torque was rated at 476 lb-ft. The big idea for the NSX was a zero-delay driving interface, which meant sharp acceleration, turning, and braking through the integrated systems on board. Magnetic dampers helped keep the car stable during cornering and energy recovery systems were integrated into the brakes.
“We don’t care what car you show up in for a cruise up a mountain road, the NSX will keep up with it. It will then bunker down into its Quiet mode, transport you home in perfect comfort, and remain reliable while you pile up the miles.”
– Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz
Like other NSX generations, Acura wanted to make this supercar just as comfortable and easy to drive as other Acura models. That means a rear camera, a premium sound system, heated seats, and even ambient lighting. There were also carbon interior and exterior packages, which added carbon fiber trim and sports seats. Thanks to the electric powertrian, it could also average over 20 mpg. To lower the weight, the body was made from aluminum, although the floor was made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.
The Acrua NSX was revered by journalists, but it never received quite the same love from customers that the first car did. Maybe it was the hybrid system, but some also felt that the computers on board took the driver out of the equation. As sales slowed, Acura released a limited-run Type S version, which upped the output to 602 horsepower thanks to turbo technology from the NSX race car. It was discontinued in 2022, with no replacement in sight.
Second Generation NSX Production Years
2022 Acura NSX Review
2021 Acura NSX Review
2020 Acura NSX Review
2019 Acura NSX Review
2018 Acura NSX Review
2017 Acura NSX Review
Trim
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
Base
3.5L Twin-turbo V6
9-speed Automatic
AWD
Type S
3.5L Twin-turbo V6
9-speed Automatic
AWD
2002–2005 Acura NSX First-Gen Facelift (NA2)
The NSX was already a decade-year-old design in 2000, so Acura knew it had to revitalize the car for the modern era. Most apparent was the fact that the company removed the pop-up headlights and fitted fixed Xenon headlights. Other small visual tweaks were added around the vehicle, although much of the silhouette remained the same until the first generation’s discontinuation in 2005. The hardtop coupe was fully discontinued by this point, so those with a passion for “wind through your hair” dirivng had to look elsewhere.
The car’s spring rates were also stiffened, and it would remain just as fast as rivals in its track-focused NSX-R variants available overseas. This car was just as easy to live with as the first generation. Creature comforts included a Bose sound system, automatic climate control, and a great view out all the windows. Following its demise in 2005, Acura teased new models, including a V10-powered example, but the financial crash meant nothing materialized.
First Generation NSX Facelift Production Years
2005 Acura NSX
2004 Acura NSX
2003 Acura NSX
2002 Acura NSX
Trim
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
Manual
3.2L V6
6-speed Manual
RWD
Automatic
3.0L V6
4-speed Automatic
RWD
1990-2002 Acura NSX First Gen (NA1/NA2)
While the first NSX was revealed to the public at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, the vehicle can actually trace its roots back to the 1984 HP-X, or the Honda Pininfarina eXperimental concept. This concept laid the groundwork for a car that was not only fast, but also fun, simple, and easy to live with – something the big players in this segment couldn’t match. The final NSX, or New Sportscar eXperimental, was also designed by Pininfarina. The “everyday supercar” trend from other manufacturers would trail the Acura NSX for years.
The early cars, until 1997, featured a 3.0L specifically designed V6 with 270 horsepower. This engine was mated to a five-speed manual, but a four-speed automatic was also available with 250 horsepower. In 1997, a technical upgrade was fitted to the manual cars, which bored out the engine to 3.2L, and an extra gear was fitted. Power was up to 290 horses, and to counter the weight of the extra gear, slightly bigger brakes were added. It could sprint to 60 miles per hour in less than five seconds.
Honda/Acura wanted this car to be just as revered as its European rivals. It was the first car with an all-aluminum body and used innovative aluminum suspension, saving approximately 440 lbs over a conventional steel car. Handling was signed off by F1 drivers Ayrton Senna and Satoru Nakajima, with legendary F1 designer Gordon Murray using the car as a benchmark for his then-in-development McLaren F1. Out of all Acura NSX generations, this is the most revered.
A big promise of the Acura NSX was how easy it was to live with. There was a large (for the class) trunk, a great view out, and the build quality was a highlight. In fact, only 200 Honda/Acura employees were authorized to build them, and all needed at least ten years of experience. Famous variants include the Zinardi edition (only 50 built to celebrate Alex Zinardi’s CART championships), and the NSX-T, which largely replaced the coupe in the US in 1995 and featured a removable targa top.
First Generation NSX Production Years
2001 Acura NSX
2000 Acura NSX
1999 Acura NSX
1998 Acura NSX
1997 Acura NSX
1996 Acura NSX
1995 Acura NSX
1994 Acura NSX
1993 Acura NSX
1992 Acura NSX
1991 Acura NSX
Trim
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
NA1
3.0L V6
4-speed Automatic
5-speed Manual
RWD
NA2
3.2L V6
6-speed Manual
RWD
Sources: Acura
