What is the maximum speed of Acura?
In short: Acura’s fastest production car tops out at about 191 mph, achieved by the NSX. Other models are substantially slower, with top speeds typically in the 125–170 mph range depending on trim and market.
How Acura frames speed across the lineup
Acura emphasizes a balance of performance, daily usability, and efficiency. While the NSX represents the brand’s performance flagship, the rest of the lineup focuses on practical speed, handling, and comfort rather than track-ready top speeds.
The fastest model: Acura NSX
The current NSX uses a hybrid powertrain that pairs a twin-turbo V6 with three electric motors. Its road-top speed is commonly cited around 191 mph (approximately 307 km/h). The NSX is designed to deliver high-speed capability with precision handling, advanced aerodynamics, and sophisticated all-wheel-drive dynamics.
What gives the NSX its top speed
Key engineering elements include the hybrid drivetrain, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and aero features that optimize stability at high speeds. The Type S variant increases power and cooling improvements, but the general top-speed figure remains near the same level for road use due to safety and regulatory considerations.
Below is a snapshot of representative top speeds for selected Acura models to illustrate the spread across the lineup.
- NSX: approximately 191 mph (307 km/h)
- TLX Type S: about 168 mph (270 km/h)
- ILX: around 130 mph (210 km/h)
- RDX: around 125–130 mph (200–210 km/h)
- MDX: around 125 mph (201 km/h)
In practice, a model’s top speed can vary by year, market, trim, and whether electronic limiter settings are active. The NSX stands as Acura’s benchmark for top speed, while the rest of the lineup focuses on a blend of performance, comfort, and efficiency.
What sets the pace: factors that limit top speed
Top speed is not just a function of horsepower. Several hardware and software factors cap how fast an Acura can safely go on public roads or in controlled conditions.
- Engine power and torque available at high speeds
- Aerodynamics, downforce, and weight distribution
- Drivetrain design, gearing, and traction control systems
- Electronic speed limiter and safety/regulatory requirements
- Tire construction, contact patch, and road surface conditions
Understanding these elements helps explain why the NSX can reach higher speeds than most other Acura models, and why consumer-focused models prioritize everyday usability and fuel economy alongside performance.
Summary
Acura’s maximum speed varies by model, with the NSX leading the pack at about 191 mph. Other models in the lineup sit well below that mark, often in the 125–170 mph range depending on trim and market. For most buyers, top speed is just one part of a broader performance picture that also includes acceleration, handling, comfort, and reliability.
