2020 Acura NSX Review

　　

2020 Acura NSX Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Technology can be both a blessing and a curse, which is evident in regards to the 2020 Acura NSX. On the one hand, it relies heavily on technology, seamlessly blending a gasoline-powered V6 with three electric motors. On the other hand, technology can be a crutch and reduce the driver's engagement and enjoyment. The NSX is undeniably easy to drive fast, but it doesn't stir the soul the way other sports cars do.

　　At the same time, the Acura NSX is as expensive as other exotic coupes, but the impression behind the wheel doesn't back that up. One reason: the use of components from supporting Honda and Acura models. An exotic sports car costing $200,000 shouldn't have the same touchscreen as a Honda Civic, nor should it share parts with commonplace SUVs. We expect better and so should you.

　　To its credit, the 2020 Acura NSX isn't as common as some of its rivals, giving it more of a sense of rarity and turning more heads. Like most drivers who may be considering an exotic coupe, we're drawn to the raw excitement and challenge that comes from taming a fire-breathing beast. The NSX is properly fast, but you'll have a more rewarding experience with one of its rivals.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the NSX drive? The breadth of performance capability in the NSX is nothing short of astounding. Acceleration is impressive, with the NSX reaching 60 mph in only 3.1 seconds. And braking from that speed requires only 100 feet, and that's with standard tires and not the optional sticky track specials. Handling is also praiseworthy and has improved since the car's introduction in 2017, feeling more natural and trustworthy than ever.

　　Acura shot for the moon with the flexibility of the NSX and it shows. Stop-and-go traffic can be handled largely under electric power, cities can be traversed smoothly and quickly, and back roads and racetracks can be tamed with unbelievable efficiency. This might be the NSX's strongest feature, and it's a differentiator in the class.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the NSX? The NSX strikes a rare balance between performance and long-distance comfort. The seatbacks are grippy, comfortable and supportive, but the seat cushions are a bit short on length and adjustability. The two suspension settings handle both road irregularities and cornering forces with aplomb.

　　The climate controls, oddly, are split between physical and touchscreen buttons. The air vents are too small, lack articulation and look like they're from older Acuras. Even though cabin cooling and heating are adequate, the system is largely disappointing in a car at this price. The quiet cabin is somewhat spoiled by the piped-in intake noise, which can be too loud at times and lacks the crucial authenticity of an exotic car.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The many off-the-shelf Honda/Acura controls give the NSX a downmarket look. That's especially true of the touchscreen, which can be found in a Honda Civic. The NSX also inherits most of the step-heavy processes found in other Acuras. Menus abound behind touchscreen buttons, and the transmission selector buttons seem unduly fussy and take up too much precious interior space.

　　There's adequate headroom and shoulder room for most drivers, though taller drivers might run out of legroom before anything else. The center tunnel serves as a nice brace for spirited driving, and the airy cabin doesn't feel claustrophobic. Forward visibility is excellent, but the rearview mirror is mounted a bit low and can block upward visibility.

　　

Technology

6.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Acura has made steps to improve the NSX's lackluster infotainment, but what amounts to a head unit from a $25,000 compact car is unacceptable in a supercar. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration takes the sting out of that fact somewhat, but even the excellent, and now standard, ELS audio system cannot rescue the Honda parts-bin interface.

　　The cabin noise in the more aggressive driving modes made it difficult for the voice controls to work effectively. In quieter modes, they took multiple steps to complete a simple process. Along with the multimodal stability assistance and traction control, and the ability to fully disable them, the NSX includes a standard array of driver-assist features. Radar-guided cruise control, though, is not one of them.

　　

Storage

6.0/10

　　How’s the storage? It might seem unfair to expect a supercar to have much, if any, real cargo capacity, but most of Acura's competitors offer enough cargo room and small-item storage for a weekend trip for two people. The NSX lacks any real interior storage, and the tiny 4.4-cubic-foot trunk is heavily compromised by its short height. Grocery bags will need to be filled only halfway to have any hope of fitting.

　　Only the most minimal of storage is available in the cabin. There's room for a phone, sunglasses, and maybe some breath mints, but not much more. You can't even put a jacket behind the seats. The cupholders are detachable but will either intrude on the passenger's space or take up most of the glove compartment.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Even if it is a supercar, the NSX is still a hybrid, and the EPA rates it at a better-than-class-average 21 mpg combined (21 city/22 highway). Over the course of our 115-mile evaluation loop, we saw a credible 20.5 mpg. We also duplicated that number across another full tank of fuel, proving that fairly good mileage is not out of reach with the NSX. Of course it's not as frugal as the plug-in hybrid BMW i8, but the NSX has twice the cylinders as well as an extra turbocharger.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the NSX a good value? The $157,500 starting price undercuts competitors such as the Audi R8, McLaren 570S and Porsche 911 Turbo S. That brings a fair bit of performance and deeply interesting technology, but with all the option boxes checked, as most owners are apt to do, the price climbs to nearly $200K. And with the exception of the carbon-ceramic brakes, the options are strictly cosmetic, making that price even more eye-watering.

　　The NSX does offer strong four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranties as well as a four-year/50,000-mile roadside assistance program. That the NSX lacks the near endless customization options offered by its competitors, though, could be a deal-breaker.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　The technological wizardry imbues the driver with confidence in any situation. The NSX is an everyday supercar, from behaving quietly and efficiently in traffic to storming over a mountain road. For drivers fascinated by truly cutting-edge technology, the NSX will challenge and reward the curious and the brave.

　　It's safe to say that any car at this level can deliver a thrilling high-speed driving experience, but the NSX does so with great aplomb. That said, the NSX can also be perceived as less playful since it feels tuned overwhelmingly for safety except under very specific circumstances.

　　

Which NSX does zzdcar recommend?

The NSX is only offered in a single trim level, and options don't fundamentally change much. That's why we recommend going light on the add-ons. If you plan on a lot of high-performance or on-track driving, the pricey carbon-ceramic brakes and summer tires may be justified.

　　

2020 Acura NSX models

The 2020 Acura NSX is available only as a two-seat, two-door coupe in a single performance specification. Power comes from a combination of a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine and electric motors with 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque combined.

　　The V6 powers the rear wheels alone, and each front wheel has its own electric motor. This setup lets the car's onboard computers carefully accelerate or decelerate each wheel to keep the NSX on course during high-performance driving. A third electric motor pairs with the V6 engine in common hybrid electric fashion, adding torque at low speeds and enabling very smooth engine starts.

　　Standard equipment highlights include LED headlights, magnetorheological adaptive dampers, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather and simulated suede upholstery, power-adjustable seats with heating, a nine-speaker premium ELS sound system with satellite radio and two USB inputs, a 7-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the AcuraLink smartphone connectivity system.

　　A couple of packages that outfit the NSX with extra exterior and interior carbon-fiber trim are also available. Stand-alone options include carbon-ceramic brakes, upgraded performance summer tires, premium paint hues, a long list of cosmetic carbon-fiber components (roof panel, interior trim, engine cover, rear spoiler), a different style of wheels, lightweight manually adjustable sport seats (at no additional cost), premium leather upholstery, and a simulated suede headliner.

　　

2020 NSX Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$157,500
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$220/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	4.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles