2021 Acura NSX Review

　　

2021 Acura NSX Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　A six-figure sports car should give you pretty much everything you want, right? You'd expect that it'll feel like it's got NASA rocket boosters for power and super glue for tire grip. The 2022 Acura NSX happens to meet the qualifications we just laid out, but more detail-oriented drawbacks keep it from achieving must-have status.

　　The problem isn't the power — thanks to its distinctive hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive, it launches from 0 to 60 mph quicker than just about anything else we've tested. Nor is it the handling — the NSX is easy and fun to rip around turns in. Rather, it's the lack of storage space and poorly executed technology interface that make the NSX seem a little half-baked when compared to rivals such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and Mercedes-AMG GT. Read our Expert Rating below for the full breakdown on all the NSX's hits and misses.

　　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 — it feels 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. The NSX includes multimodal stability assistance and traction control, and the ability to fully disable them, as well as 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). We saw a credible 20.5 mpg over the course of our 115-mile evaluation route. We also duplicated that number across another full tank of fuel, proving that fairly good mileage is not out of reach with the NSX.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the NSX a good value? The NSX's starting price undercuts competitors such as the 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 NSX's price jumps considerably. 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 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 available in one trim level, so your decision will come down to which options to specify. If you plan to track your NSX, the heat-resistant carbon-ceramic brakes are a must, and the manual sport seats should save some weight. But many of the NSX's upgrades are cosmetic in nature, so choose the ones that fit your vision for the car.

　　

2021 Acura NSX models

The 2021 Acura NSX is available only as a two-seat mid-engine coupe in a single performance specification. Power comes from a combination of a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine and three electric motors. All told, the combo produces 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque. The V6 powers the rear wheels alone, and each front wheel has its own electric motor. A third electric motor pairs with the V6 engine — similar to a traditional hybrid — adding torque at low speeds and enabling smooth engine starts. A nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.

　　NSX

　　The single trim level comes standard with:

　　19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels Dual-zone automatic climate control Auto-dimming rearview mirror Leather and imitation suede combination upholstery Heated seats with power adjustment 7-inch touchscreen Nine-speaker audio system Navigation system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) A few options are available for the NSX, including:

　　Carbon Fiber Interior Sport package Imitation suede headliner Carbon-fiber instrument panel hood Carbon-fiber accents on steering wheel Carbon Fiber Exterior Sport package. The following are made of carbon fiber: Front lip spoiler Side sills Rear diffuser Engine cover Carbon-fiber spoiler High-performance carbon-ceramic brakes Brake calipers painted red, silver or orange Lightweight sport seats with manual adjustment Premium leather and imitation suede combination upholstery Leather upholstery Satellite radio

　　

2021 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	3.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles