Was the Honda NSX a flop?
The short answer is nuanced: the original NSX was not a flop in its era, and the second-generation NSX faced commercial headwinds that led some to label it underwhelming. As of today, Honda/Acura has not announced a direct successor and the current generation has largely run its course.
To understand the question, it helps to separate the two main chapters of the NSX story. The first-generation model, launched in 1990, rewrote expectations for a practical, reliable exotic. The second-generation model, introduced in 2016, aimed to fuse cutting-edge hybrid tech with supercar performance, but its high price and limited sales capped its impact in a crowded market segment.
Original NSX (1990–2005): A design milestone, not a flop
The following highlights illustrate why the original NSX is widely regarded as a success story rather than a flop.
- All-aluminum chassis and body construction, contributing to light weight, rigidity, and handling precision.
- Mid-mounted V6 with VTEC design delivering strong performance without sacrificing everyday usability and reliability.
- Blend of exotic performance and Honda reliability, which helped broaden what a “ Honda” could be in the perception of enthusiasts.
- Effective halo-car effect: it elevated Honda’s engineering credibility and influenced later products and engineering culture, including lightweight design and efficiency goals.
- Reasonable long-term ownership costs for a mid-engine exotic, contributing to solid owner satisfaction and collector interest over time.
These elements combined to make the original NSX a landmark that transcended its niche, rather than a misfire at the showroom.
Sales, production and legacy
Global production of the first-generation NSX totaled in the tens of thousands, with the majority of units sold in the United States. While it commanded a premium price and catered to a small audience, its profitability and long-term impact on Honda’s engineering discipline are widely cited as reasons it was not a flop. The NSX is often credited with inspiring a shift toward aluminum-intensive construction and more performance-oriented engineering across Honda’s lineup.
Second-generation NSX (2016–2022/2024): Technology showcase, but not a mass-market success
The following points summarize why the second-generation NSX is viewed more cautiously in terms of commercial performance, even though its technology and concept remained compelling.
- Hybrid powertrain: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 paired with three electric motors, delivering substantial combined horsepower and a sophisticated SH-AWD system.
- High price point relative to many rivals, positioning the NSX in a niche segment and limiting its addressable market.
- Production and delivery challenges early in its lifecycle, reflecting the complexity of integrating advanced electrified systems into a performance chassis.
- Handling and performance praised for its sophistication, but some reviewers and buyers found weight and feel less visceral than some rival supercars.
- Sales volumes remained modest—measured in the low thousands over its run—signaling a limited commercial footprint compared with its peers.
Taken together, these factors show that while the second-generation NSX was a technological success and a desirable machine for many enthusiasts, it did not achieve broad market success or deliver the volume Honda/Acura had hoped for. As of the mid-2020s, there has been no announced direct successor, and production of the current generation has largely run its course.
Commercial performance and legacy
In total, the second-generation NSX stayed as a niche product within Acura’s lineup. Its blend of electrified technology and all-wheel-drive performance reinforced Honda’s reputation for engineering prowess, even as it fell short of the sales targets set for a true halo model in a high-end segment dominated by established rivals. The NSX’s legacy rests in its role as a technology demonstrator as much as in its showroom tally.
Bottom line and context
Overall, the Honda NSX is not best described as a flop when considering the original model, which redefined what a Honda performance car could be and influenced future engineering directions. The second-generation NSX, while technically ambitious and highly engineered, did not achieve broad market success and remained a relatively exclusive machine within a crowded supercar landscape. The broader takeaway is that the NSX succeeded as a technology and branding milestone, while its commercial performance varied meaningfully between generations.
Summary
The NSX story is twofold: the original car established Honda as a serious player in the exotic market and spurred lasting engineering innovations, while the second-generation car highlighted the challenges of delivering high-priced hybrid performance to a niche audience. Neither generation fits the traditional definition of a blockbuster flop; instead, they reflect the evolving trade-offs between technology leadership, brand positioning, and market demand. As of today, Honda has not signaled a direct successor to the NSX, marking the end of its current era in the sports-car narrative.
Was the Acura NSX a flop?
It was received with near unanimous praise from the automotive media, but ultimately the NSX struggled to find buyers for the majority of its 15-year production run. In this episode of “Revelations,” Hagerty's Jason Cammisa takes us through the history of the original NSX.
Why was the Honda NSX discontinued?
Acura discontinued the NSX due to declining sales and a shift in the company's focus towards electric vehicles. Slow sales were caused by a high price tag, competition from established brands, and criticisms that its parts-bin interior felt cheap for a supercar in its price range.
- Declining sales: The second-generation NSX sold poorly, leading to its discontinuation after the 2023 model year. Sales were particularly slow in certain markets, such as Australia.
- High cost: The NSX was expensive, leading some consumers to choose more established supercar brands instead. A high price tag coupled with an interior that used components from less expensive models like the Civic and Accord led to criticism of it feeling overpriced.
- Focus on EVs: Acura is redirecting its resources to develop new electric vehicle (EV) models. This strategic shift is a significant factor in the decision to discontinue the NSX.
- Mixed reception: While praised for its performance, the NSX received mixed reviews for other aspects, such as the lack of a manual transmission option and the hybrid powertrain, which some enthusiasts felt made it less analog than the original car.
Which is faster, NSX or GTR?
Then we're going to floor it so let's see what happens. 3 2 1 go oh instant pick up. There. It's those electric motors. And a bit more torque. I have got Whoa 646 new m he's got 637.
Why is the Acura NSX not selling?
The NSX failed to sell in high numbers because exceptional engineering met a weak market fit: expensive, complex hybrid performance from a non-exotic badge produced a car that neither satisfied purist drivers nor satisfied prestige buyers, while overall demand for low-volume sports cars declined.
