How much did the original NSX cost?
The original NSX carried a base price of about $60,000 when it debuted in 1990.
The price placed the car in the premium segment of its era, reflecting Honda’s push to deliver exotic performance with advanced engineering and everyday reliability. This article examines the figure, what influenced it, and how it stood up to rivals at the time.
Pricing context at launch
Influences on the sticker price
The following points explain the main drivers of the NSX’s initial price and how inflation and market positioning affected its value.
- Base price at launch: approximately $60,000 USD in 1990.
- Inflation-adjusted value: the 1990 price would be roughly in the $120,000–$125,000 range in today’s dollars, depending on the inflation index used.
- Engineering and materials: the NSX featured a mid-engine V6 and a largely aluminum chassis, factors that added to production costs compared with typical mass-market sports cars.
- Market positioning: Honda intended the NSX to offer near-exotic performance with Honda reliability, carving a niche between mainstream performance cars and European exotics.
In short, the original NSX price reflected a combination of advanced engineering, a strategic market position, and a willingness to take a different path from that era’s conventional sports cars.
How the NSX compared to its peers
When it arrived, the NSX was pitched as a more accessible alternative to high-end exotics while delivering comparable performance. Its price point helped it stand out in a field dominated by brands like Ferrari and Porsche, where sticker prices were often higher for similarly capable mid-engine machines.
Legacy of the price
Over its early years, the NSX’s price remained in the low-to-mid $60,000s in the U.S. market, with adjustments for options and regional pricing. The car’s value proposition—high performance packaged with reliability—played a significant role in how enthusiasts viewed its cost of ownership and long-term appeal.
Summary
Answer: The original NSX’s base price was about $60,000 at its 1990 launch. Adjusted for inflation, that figure would be roughly in the low six figures in today’s dollars, reflecting the car’s advanced engineering and Honda’s aim to offer exotic-level performance with everyday usability. The price also underscored the NSX’s place as a benchmark in the evolution of affordable mid-engine supercars.
How much did the Honda NSX cost originally?
Acura first sold the NSX in 1990 as a 1991 model year car. So, that's technically the first run of the Japanese sports car. It had a starting price of around $60,000 in its day (though some buyers paid more depending on options); adjusted for inflation, that works out to around $142,000 in 2025.
How much was a brand new NSX in 1991?
$60,600
A new 1991 NSX cost $60,600, and by the time production ended in 2005 the price had climbed to $89,765. Popularity rose with the 1997 model, when Acura increased the size of the engine to 3.2 liters, and power jumped to 290 hp and 224 lb-ft.
How much did a 1993 Acura NSX cost?
1993 Acura NSX Trims
| Trim type | MSRP |
|---|---|
| RWD | $69,250 |
How much did a 1992 Acura NSX cost?
1992 Acura NSX Trims
| Trim type | MSRP |
|---|---|
| RWD | $65,000 |
