Was the Honda NSX sold in the US?
Yes. The NSX was sold in the United States, but through Acura dealerships and under the Acura brand rather than Honda.
Two generations, two US-market histories
First generation NSX in the US (1990–2005)
The original NSX arrived in the United States in 1990 and was sold as the Acura NSX, not as a Honda. It became Acura’s halo sports car and helped establish Honda’s reputation for engineering-driven performance in the luxury segment.
Key facts about its US presence are summarized below.
- Launched in the US in 1990, marketed as Acura NSX in American showrooms.
- Mid‑engine layout with aluminum construction; originally offered a 3.0‑liter V6 with roughly 270 horsepower, later updated to a 3.2‑liter V6 with around 290 horsepower.
- Production in the first generation lasted until 2005, with roughly a few tens of thousands of units sold globally; the US remained a core market for the model during its run.
The first-generation NSX left a lasting impact on American enthusiasts and on Acura’s brand image as a maker of high‑performance, reliable exotic‑feeling cars.
Second generation NSX in the US (2016–present)
The NSX returned to the United States in 2016 as the Acura NSX, continuing the model’s presence in America under Acura rather than Honda branding. The second generation introduced a modern hybrid setup and a refined, track-capable driving character.
Key facts about its US presence are summarized below.
- Launched in 2016 in the US, marketed as Acura NSX, and sold through Acura dealerships.
- Hybrid powertrain combining a mid‑mounted twin‑turbo V6 with multiple electric motors, paired with a 9‑speed dual‑clutch transmission for all‑wheel drive.
- Performance figures place the base NSX in the high-500s horsepower range, with a more powerful Type S variant introduced later, offering increased output and track-focused enhancements.
The second-generation NSX solidified Acura’s role in the modern hypercar/halo segment, incorporating advanced electrified technology while maintaining a distinct, everyday‑driving character for US customers.
Additional context
Across both generations, the NSX signaled a purposeful fusion of precision engineering and performance accessibility within Honda’s broader lineup. In the United States, the car has consistently been offered under the Acura badge, reflecting Honda’s strategy to position the NSX as a luxury-performance model rather than a mainstream Honda product. In other markets outside the US, the name and branding have varied (for example, Honda branding in some regions), but the US market has long recognized the model as Acura NSX.
Summary
In short, the Honda NSX has indeed been sold in the United States. It appeared first as the Acura NSX in 1990, marking a pivotal entry for Acura as a performance luxury brand, and later reappeared with a second-generation model in 2016, again under the Acura name. The NSX remains a benchmark for Honda/Acura’s engineering prowess and continues to be available to US buyers under the Acura banner, with special variants like the Type S expanding its performance credentials.
Is there a difference between a Honda NSX and an Acura NSX?
When the first NSX launched in 1990, it was sold in North America as the Acura NSX. Acura operates as the luxury division of Honda, thus making it the perfect brand to launch this new sports experimental vehicle. The original NSX was actually sold as both the Acura NSX and Honda NSX, depending on the target market.
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.
Was the Honda NSX sold in the USA?
The Honda NSX (sold in North America as the Acura NSX) is a two-seater sports car manufactured by Honda over two generations. The first generation was produced from 1990 until 2006, whilst the second generation was made from 2016 to 2022.
Was the NSX sold in Europe?
Official launch and production
In December 2015, the North American pricing was announced with a starting price of US$156,000. At the same time, Honda announced the European debut for the NSX at the 85th Geneva Motor Show, alongside the FK2 Civic Type R.
