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- Highs Performance matches its looks, nifty hybrid powertrain, comfortable.
- Lows Similarly priced exotics perform better, interior bits borrowed from lesser Acuras, shortage of cargo space.
- Verdict Not as groundbreaking as the original, the NSX nevertheless occupies a unique niche.
Overview
Like the original that went out of production in 2005, today's Acura NSX aims to deliver supercar looks and performance in an everyday livable package. Indeed, there's plenty of stretch-out space for two passengers, and one needn't fold themselves into an origami crane to get into and out of it. Behind those passengers sits a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 that, along with an electric motor, powers the rear wheels; it's assisted by two more electric motors that individually power each front wheel for precise power delivery while turning. Total output is a healthy 573 horsepower. Even so, the NSX is less hardcore than many other mid-engined sports cars at this price point.
What's New for 2020?
After receiving some minor upgrades last year, the 2020 Acura NSX is essentially unchanged from the 2019 NSX. There is a new paint color—Indy Yellow—that'll scorch your corneas, and that's about it. The new hue is a throwback to the Spa Yellow offered on the original NSX (it was referred to as Indy Yellow in some other markets), and it joins Berlina Black as one of the sports car's heritage colors.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Acura doesn't separate the NSX lineup into trims, so there's just a single model that you can customize to your liking. We dig bright colors, so opting for either the new-for-2020 Indy Yellow or Thermal Orange (which carries over from last year) is a must—either hue will cost you $1000. You can go nuts with the interior colors; none of them cost extra, and the schemes include indigo blue, red, saddle (brown), orchid (off-white), and ebony. If you can stomach their $9900 cost ($10,600 with your choice of silver, red, or orange calipers), the carbon-ceramic brake rotors are worth the upgrade if you plan to take your NSX to the track.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
While it will certainly satiate your need for speed, the NSX can't outpace some key rivals such as the Audi R8 or the McLaren 570S. In our testing, it still snapped off lightning-quick acceleration times and managed a 3.1-second run from zero to 60 mph. Its electric-only Quiet mode, however, gives it something its rivals don't have: discretion. The NSX's hybrid-electric powertrain combines a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 with three electric motors for a combined total of 573 horsepower. The V-6, the nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and one of the electric motors work as a team to power the rear wheels. The other two electric motors operate independently to drive the front wheels, effectively giving the NSX all-wheel drive.
In Quiet and Sport modes, the steering is direct and accurate but light to the touch, which we think is an attempt to make the NSX feel maneuverable on a day-to-day basis. Such a setup, however, feels out of place on such a performance-oriented vehicle. In Sport Plus and Track modes, the electric-power-steering system dials in more weight. Regardless of the setting, the steering is crisp, and the car responds smartly to the slightest of driver inputs.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Hybrid vehicles are more efficient in stop-and-go city traffic than their gasoline-only rivals, and the NSX is no different. An EPA rating of 21 mpg in the city beats the Audi R8 V-10 by a whopping 7 mpg. The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S matches the NSX's 21-mpg rating in the city and beats the NSX on the highway with a 28-mpg rating; the NSX is rated for 22 mpg highway. In our real-world highway fuel-economy test, the NSX delivered a decent 23 mpg, beating its EPA rating slightly but falling behind its nonhybrid rivals.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Touted as the everyday supercar, the NSX is certainly comfortable and intuitive enough for just about anyone to use as a daily driver. But its cabin doesn't have the premium feel and luxurious amenities one expects from an Acura, let alone one that is meant to compete with the best from England and Germany. Our test car featured the optional leather-and-faux-suede seats, faux-suede headliner, and carbon-fiber-trimmed steering wheel. The bright red leather appealed to the younger among our staff, but some found it garish and juvenile. While the seats are comfortable, we'd prefer more thigh support, and enthusiastic drivers will likely desire more side bolstering as well.
For something marketed as the everyday supercar, the NSX's interior storage cubbies aren't especially commodious. Its trunk is located right behind the engine, which might be problematic for hauling home your Häagen-Dazs. Plus, we managed to fit just one of our carry-on suitcases inside the tiny trunk.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated navigation comes standard and is hooked up to an ELS Studio nine-speaker stereo. As with some other interior parts, the touchscreen system is taken from lesser Acuras and Hondas, and the same complaints we have about them apply here, too. The system's interface already looks outdated, and we found the menu setup to be unintuitive. To make matters worse, its lack of redundant buttons and the unwieldy touch-sensitive volume slider, which makes precise adjustments difficult, add an extra layer of complexity.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Its lack of driver-assistance features and absence of crash-test data might pose a concern for safety-minded consumers; neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have completed crash testing for the NSX. A comprehensive standard airbag system provides an acceptable level of protection. Key safety features include:
- Standard front- and rear-parking sensors
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Acura provides some of the most comprehensive coverage in the segment. While a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty is offered by Audi, BMW, and Porsche, none provide as much powertrain coverage as Acura. The NSX's sophisticated hybrid-electric components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
- Hybrid components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles
