Why are acuras so fast?

Acuras are fast primarily because Acura applies high-performance powertrains (turbocharged and hybrid) with tuned chassis and lightweight engineering to deliver quick acceleration and precise handling.

Beyond horsepower, the brand’s approach blends track-tested engineering, sport-focused features, and a lineup that emphasizes speed where it matters—from street-friendly sedans to halo machines. This article breaks down how Acura achieves its speed, what role the Type S models and NSX play, and how the company plans to carry performance forward.

Powertrains: Turbo to Hybrid

Powertrain choice is the core driver of Acura’s speed, combining turbocharged efficiency with hybrid power where it matters most. The lineup centers performance-oriented propulsion that translates into brisk acceleration and confident throttle response.

• TLX Type S and MDX Type S use a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 delivering strong, linear power with enhanced torque delivery, usually paired with all-wheel drive and sport-tuned dynamics to maximize acceleration and grip.


• Integra Type S relies on a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a close-ratio manual transmission and a drivetrain tuned for quick, precise shifts, making it a nimble, responsive performer in its class.


• NSX employs a hybrid system built around a mid-mounted 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 plus three electric motors, producing a combined output well into the 500s horsepower range and allowing instant torque and all-wheel-drive traction courtesy of its powertrain architecture.

Collectively, these powertrain choices give Acura a spectrum of fast experiences—from the quick, visceral push of turbocharged engines to the adjacent, blistering acceleration of hybrid systems—tailored to different body styles and driving preferences.

Chassis and Handling: Precision Under Power

Speed isn’t just about raw horsepower; it’s about how quickly and confidently a car can put that power to the road. Acura’s performance models emphasize chassis rigidity, steering feel, and braking performance to translate power into speed around corners and on straights.

• Sport-tuned suspensions and careful weight distribution help minimize body roll and maximize grip during aggressive driving.


• Adaptive or performance-oriented dampers, combined with upgraded steering calibration, improve responsiveness and steering precision at the limit.


• Large, high-performance brakes and reinforced structures ensure consistent stopping power and fade resistance for repeated performance sessions.


• Rigid body construction and, in higher-end variants, lightweight components contribute to better cornering stability and throttle response.

In short, Acura’s handling-focused engineering ensures that power translates into usable, repeatable speed rather than simply a peak horsepower number.

Heritage and Innovation: The Type S Ethos and the NSX Halo

Acura’s speed story is anchored in racing-inspired engineering and a performance-first ethos that the Type S badge embodies across multiple models, plus the NSX halo car that showcased advanced technology and extreme performance.

• The Type S designation marks the brand’s highest-performance variants, with tuned engines, suspension, and braking calibrated for spirited driving and track capability.


• The NSX, as a halo model, demonstrated how turbocharged power, hybrid assist, and aerodynamic efficiency can combine for extraordinary on-road and on-track capability. Even after NSX production concluded, its technology and philosophy influence Acura’s approach to speed.


• Racing background and rigorous testing feed into everyday models, helping engineers translate track-proven ideas into safer, more controllable street speed.

Through this heritage-driven approach, Acura aims to preserve a driver-focused feel—where speed is intentional, controllable, and repeatable—across its lineup.

The Road Ahead: Electrification and Performance

Acura, like many performance brands, is balancing traditional turbocharged power with electrified propulsion to sustain speed as technology evolves. Hybridization and selective electric performance capacity are expected to play larger roles while preserving the brand’s driving feel and reliability.

• Hybrid powertrains will continue to provide strong, immediate torque and steady power delivery, enhancing straight-line speed and throttle response in many models.


• Turbocharged engines will remain core to delivering high horsepower in a relatively compact package, enabling exciting daily driving without extreme fuel consumption penalties.


• Future performance-focused models are likely to incorporate more electrification and advanced drivetrain control, maintaining Acura’s emphasis on handling precision and driver engagement.

As Acura evolves, the emphasis remains on delivering fast, engaging experiences that are controllable and reliable, with engineering that translates to real-world speed rather than just numbers on a spec sheet.

Summary

In summary, Acura’s speed comes from a deliberate blend of powerful and efficient propulsion, disciplined chassis tuning, and a performance-focused brand philosophy. The Type S models elevate horsepower and handling, while the NSX showcased how hybrid and turbo technologies can deliver supercar-level acceleration with everyday usability. Looking ahead, Acura plans to sustain speed through a balanced mix of turbocharged engines and electrified performance, all anchored by a culture of precision engineering and driving enjoyment.

For readers seeking a fast Acura today, the TLX Type S and Integra Type S offer accessible, track-ready performance in practical packages, while the NSX remains a historical benchmark for what the brand can achieve when speed, technology, and driving joy converge.

What makes an Acura fast?

Powered by a turbocharged V6 engine producing 355 horsepower, the MDX Type S reaches a top speed of 155 mph. Plus, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 5.5 seconds. Its sophisticated all-wheel drive system and adaptive air suspension ensure a smooth and stable ride, even at high speeds.

Is Acura faster than Lexus?

It depends on the specific model, as Acura generally focuses more on sporty performance while Lexus emphasizes comfort and a more polished ride. In direct comparisons, some Acura models like the RDX and TLX have shown advantages in handling and power over their direct Lexus competitors (like the NX and IS 300), especially with features like their Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). However, high-performance Lexus models can outperform some Acura counterparts, and the Lexus brand often leads in overall engine power and smoothness across its entire lineup.
 
You can watch this video to learn more about the performance comparison between Acura and Lexus SUVs: 51sIndyAutoManYouTube · Feb 26, 2024
Acura's performance edge

• Sporty handling: Acura's SH-AWD is often highlighted for its sportier feel and ability to improve cornering stability and traction. 
• Dynamic feel: Models like the TLX are often praised for their more responsive handling and driver-focused features. 
• Specific model advantages: In some direct comparisons, Acura models have demonstrated quicker real-world feel and better handling than their Lexus counterparts, even with different specs on paper. 

Lexus's performance edge

• Engine power: Lexus models often have more power and smoother acceleration, especially in their top-tier trims. 
• Refined acceleration: The Lexus brand tends to prioritize a quieter, smoother experience across its lineup. 
• Balanced performance: While Acura focuses on sportiness, Lexus balances performance with a more comfortable and luxurious ride quality. 

Are Acuras faster than Hondas?

Acura vs Honda: Performance Comparison

Feature	Acura	Honda
0-60 mph (Typical Sedan)	5.5 – 7.5 seconds (depending on engine/model)	7 – 9 seconds
Handling Feel	More engaging, responsive, with better grip and cornering capabilities (especially with SH-AWD/P-AWS).	Comfort-oriented, predictable, good for daily driving.

Why do cars go so fast if it's illegal?

Cars can go so fast because manufacturers design them for performance based on market demand and the engineering required for a car to be capable and efficient at legal speeds. The ability to reach high speeds is often a natural byproduct of powerful engines, efficient transmissions, and aerodynamic designs that are also necessary for safe acceleration and handling in everyday situations like merging onto a highway. 
Performance and engineering reasons

• Powerful engines are needed for normal driving: To accelerate to highway speeds in a reasonable amount of time or to handle hills, an engine needs more power than is required for cruising. This inherent power capability allows for high top speeds. 
• Fuel efficiency is linked to engine strain: A car's engine is most efficient when it's not working too hard, which means a car engineered to cruise comfortably at highway speeds will have a higher top speed than one that struggles at lower speeds. 
• Gear ratios for efficiency: The gears in a transmission are set up to keep the engine's revolutions per minute (RPM) low for highway cruising, which is a major factor in fuel economy. This gearing setup allows the engine to reach very high speeds at higher RPMs. 
• Emergency and passing situations: A car needs the capability to accelerate quickly to safely pass other vehicles or to merge into fast-moving traffic. 
• Safety and durability: By engineering a car to be capable of high speeds, manufacturers can build in a significant safety and durability margin, ensuring the vehicle is strong and reliable under normal driving conditions. 

Market and global reasons

• Consumer demand: There is high consumer demand for cars with high performance and fast acceleration, and manufacturers cater to this market. 
• Global markets: Automakers often design and sell the same models globally. Since some countries, like Germany with the Autobahn, have no speed limits or much higher limits, cars must be built to handle those conditions. 
• Limited government regulation on top speed: In the United States, the government regulates many aspects of car safety, but not the maximum top speed of a vehicle itself. 

Practical and legal considerations

• Electronic limiters are unpopular: While speed limiters could be installed, consumers would likely object to them, and a market that wants the option for temporary high speeds would be upset. 
• Safety margin on speedometers: Speedometers are built with a safety margin. A 2008 U.S. regulation required speedometers to show a maximum of 85 mph, but current regulations allow for higher maximums on the speedometer.