Is there a difference between the Honda NSX and the Acura NSX?
In short, there isn’t a difference in the car itself—the NSX is the same model, branded differently by market. The badge you see depends on where you’re buying or driving the car, not on a separate specification.
More detail: The original NSX (1990–2005) was sold as Honda NSX in Japan and as Acura NSX in North America. When a second-generation NSX arrived in 2016, the same regional naming pattern continued: Acura NSX in the United States and other markets where Acura is sold, and Honda NSX in Japan and many other locations. A performance-focused Type S variant exists within the Acura lineup in markets that carry Acura, but the core platform and driving experience remain aligned across markets. Differences you’ll notice are typically market-specific trim, options, or regulatory tweaks rather than a fundamentally different car.
Branding by market
What follows is a quick snapshot of how the NSX is branded in different regions.
- North America: Acura NSX (sold under the Acura marque).
- Japan and many other markets: Honda NSX (sold under the Honda marque).
- Europe and some markets where Acura branding isn’t distributed: Honda NSX (subject to local importers and dealer networks).
Regardless of the badge, the vehicle’s core engineering and driving experience remain the same across generations, with minor regional equipment variations.
Generational overview
Here is a concise look at how the NSX evolved across generations and how branding aligned with each era.
First generation (1990–2005)
The original NSX established the model as Honda’s mid-engine supercar. In North America it was sold as the Acura NSX, while in Japan and other markets it carried the Honda NSX name. It emphasized a lightweight aluminum chassis, iconic styling, and a balanced, naturally aspirated V6 driving experience.
Second generation (2016–present)
The second generation moved to a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbo V6 and multiple electric motors, paired with a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission. In North America the car is marketed as the Acura NSX, and in Japan it is shown under the Honda NSX branding; the branding pattern mirrors the first generation, while the engineering moved to electrified performance. A track-focused Type S variant was introduced later, reinforcing Acura’s performance positioning in markets where the Acura badge is used.
Note: Specifications vary by model year and market, but branding generally follows Acura in North America and Honda in Japan and most other regions.
Bottom line
In practice, the difference is branding, not a separate car. The Honda NSX and Acura NSX share the same core architecture and development lineage, with badge and trim differences largely tied to regional marketing and regulatory compliance.
Summary
The NSX shows how a single high-performance vehicle can wear different badges around the world without changing its core identity. Honda NSX in Japan and many markets, Acura NSX in the United States and places where Acura operates, with generation-wide engineering aligning the two names as regional versions of the same car.
