What is the Honda version of the Acura NSX?
The Honda version of the Acura NSX is the Honda NSX; in North America the vehicle is marketed as the Acura NSX, while Japan and several other markets use the Honda NSX branding.
This article explains how the NSX is branded differently by market, traces its history, and clarifies what buyers can expect from the current generation and notable variants.
Branding across markets
Market branding for the NSX varies by region, reflecting how Honda groups performance and luxury models for different audiences. Here are the core naming conventions you’ll encounter:
- In Japan and many international markets, the car is marketed as the Honda NSX, with Honda as the badge.
- In North America (and a few other regions), the car is marketed as the Acura NSX, under Honda's luxury division Acura.
- In Europe, branding has generally followed the Honda NSX in markets without Acura, though importers may present the car under Acura branding where available.
Regardless of badge, the NSX designation refers to the same mid‑engine supercar lineage from Honda’s engineering team.
Brief history of the NSX branding
The NSX name has appeared across two generations, with branding tied to regional marketing strategies rather than substantial mechanical differences.
First-generation branding (1990–1995)
When the original NSX debuted in 1990, Honda offered it as the Honda NSX in Japan and as the Acura NSX in North America, using different badges for the same mid‑engine exotic that emphasized lightweight aluminum construction and a capable V6 engine. NSX stands for New Sports eXperimental.
Second-generation branding (2016–present)
The modern NSX was relaunched in 2016 as the Acura NSX in North America, with Honda NSX branding used in Japan and other markets where Acura is not sold. It features a 3.5‑liter twin‑turbo V6 paired with three electric motors and all‑wheel drive; a higher-performance Type S variant arrived around 2022, boosting output toward 600 hp.
Why the dual branding exists
The dual branding is rooted in Honda’s regional brand strategy. Acura is Honda’s luxury‑performance division in the United States and Canada, while Honda remains the global brand. In Japan—where Acura does not exist—the NSX wears the Honda badge. This arrangement helps marketers tailor perceptions of performance and prestige to regional audiences.
- North America uses Acura NSX for the model name on the luxury badge.
- Japan and many other regions use Honda NSX as the badge.
- Across generations, the branding difference is market-driven rather than a separate product line.
In practice, enthusiasts typically refer to the car as the NSX, regardless of badge, reflecting the shared engineering and performance ethos across generations.
Summary
The Honda NSX and Acura NSX are two names for the same mid-engine, hybrid supercar family. Branding differs by market: Honda NSX in Japan and most global markets, Acura NSX in North America. The naming strategy aligns with regional marketing approaches, while the underlying vehicle — from the original 1990 model through the 2016 revival and the subsequent Type S variant — remains one car line designed for high-performance driving.
