Why is Acura discontinuing the NSX?
The NSX is being retired as part of Acura’s strategic shift toward electrified, higher-volume models. In short, weak sales and high development costs, combined with a broader push to be profitable through electrified SUVs and mainstream sedans, led to the decision.
Context: what this means for Acura and its lineup
Acura has long positioned the NSX as a halo model—a high-profile showcase for technology and performance. However, in the current market environment, the economics of sustaining a niche, high-priced hybrid supercar do not align with the brand’s broader goals of profitability and scale across a growing range of electrified vehicles.
Before outlining the key factors, it’s helpful to understand the context: the automotive industry is rapidly shifting toward electrification, and consumers are increasingly prioritizing practical, feature-rich crossovers and SUVs. In that landscape, the NSX represents a very small slice of volume and revenue for the brand.
- Weak demand for a high-end, low-volume performance car relative to Acura’s other models
- High costs associated with developing, producing, and servicing a complex hybrid/supercar platform
- A corporate emphasis on electrified vehicles and more profitable, mainstream models
- A strategy to allocate resources toward expanding electrified SUVs and crossovers that can be sold in higher volumes
Taken together, these factors explain why Acura chose to discontinue the NSX rather than continue investing in a niche product that conflicted with the company’s near-term profitability and electrification goals.
Economic and market considerations behind the decision
Industry observers point to several realities shaping the decision. The NSX, despite its engineering pedigree, has faced persistent sales challenges in a segment dominated by exclusivity and price. At the same time, developing new technology for a limited-run model involves substantial fixed costs that are difficult to recover with a small production run.
- The economics of a niche performance car versus the savings and scale achieved by broader, electrified models
- The ongoing costs of maintaining a specialized service network for a complex hybrid system
- Competition from other high-end hybrids and performance cars, with customers increasingly drawn to brands offering broader EV options
- Regulatory and incentives landscape that favors electrified crossovers and sedans with practical appeal
These market and financial realities help explain why Acura decided to end the NSX program and reallocate development resources toward vehicles that align with the company’s profitability targets and long-term electrification strategy.
Strategic shift: electrification and the future of Acura's performance
Acura’s broader strategy hinges on accelerating electrification across its lineup, with emphasis on SUVs and crossovers that can reach more buyers while meeting emissions targets. The NSX does not fit into this near-term plan as a standalone, limited-production model. Instead, Acura is pursuing electrified variants of existing platforms and new performance-oriented versions within its mainstream lineups.
What this means for the brand’s performance direction
While enthusiasts may miss the NSX, Acura signals that performance will continue within its core models through electrified versions and potential future halo projects tied to scalable platforms, rather than a separate NSX successor. The emphasis is on delivering high-performance features across a broader, more profitable lineup rather than sustaining a single, low-volume model.
What comes next for enthusiasts and the Acura lineup
For enthusiasts, the immediate absence of a new NSX-type halo car is a reality, but Acura’s roadmap suggests continued focus on performance within its electrified crossovers and sedans. The company is likely to explore hybrid and electric variants of the TLX, MDX, and other models, aiming to marry performance with everyday usability and improved efficiency.
Summary
Acura is discontinuing the NSX largely because the model’s sales and development costs do not align with the brand’s current profitability goals and electrification strategy. The company is redirecting resources toward electrified versions of its mainstream models and SUVs—segments with broader appeal and stronger growth prospects—while preserving room for performance-driven technology within its existing lineup. In short, the NSX’s end reflects a shift from niche halo cars to a future built on electrified, high-volume vehicles.
Will Acura bring back the NSX?
Yes, an NSX successor is coming back as an all-electric vehicle, though it may not be officially called the "NSX". Acura, Honda's luxury brand, is developing the new sports car based on Honda's upcoming 0 Series electric platform, with an expected launch in 2027 or 2028.
You can watch this video to learn more about the new electric NSX: 51sCreatch & CarsYouTube · Aug 25, 2024
- Electric Powertrain: The new vehicle will be fully electric, a departure from the previous hybrid model. It is expected to feature a lightweight, low-profile design thanks to the new electric platform.
- Platform: It will be built on Honda's new 0 Series electric platform, which is designed to allow for a lightweight and low-slung sports car.
- Timeline: Honda's global executive vice president confirmed that a new sports car is planned for production around 2027 or 2028.
- Name: While it will be an "NSX-type" vehicle, there is no guarantee the name will be retained, notes CarThrottle.
- Design: The exterior design was previewed with the "Electric Vision Design Study" concept, showing a sleek, futuristic, and aerodynamic shape.
What acura to stay away from?
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2003 model is one of the most problematic Acura TL years, with over 400+ NHTSA user complaints. This car's top three most prominent problems are transmission failure, car shakes during acceleration, and the peeling clear coat.
What will replace NSX?
Acura Is Working on an All-Electric Sports Car to Replace the NSX.
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.
