Why is the Honda NSX so special?
The NSX earns its reputation by marrying exotic performance with everyday usability, built on a foundation of bold engineering decisions. From the original all-aluminum, mid‑engine chassis to the modern hybrid powerhouse, the NSX is more than a fast car—it’s a statement about what Honda/Acura can achieve when performance and practicality meet.
Beyond mere horsepower, the NSX represents a deliberate philosophy: make a car thrilling to drive, but reliable enough for daily use; leverage lightweight construction and advanced materials; and continuously evolve with technology that enhances handling, balance, and driver engagement. This approach has helped the NSX stand out in two very different eras of sports cars and remains central to its appeal today.
Two generations, one idea: performance with practicality
Original NSX: A landmark in aluminum engineering
Launched in 1990, the first NSX redefined what a “supercar” could be by prioritizing structural lightness and mechanical predictability. It used an all‑aluminum space frame, a mid‑mounted V6 with Honda’s VTEC variable valve timing, and rear‑wheel drive. The result was a chassis that felt extraordinarily stiff for its time, with clean, precise steering and a level of daily drivability rare in exotic machines. This combination helped the NSX earn a reputation for engaging performance paired with Honda‑grade reliability.
Second-generation NSX: A modern hybrid supercar
Redesigned for the 2016 model year, the modern NSX pairs a 3.5‑liter twin‑turbo V6 with three electric motors and a nine‑speed dual‑clutch transmission, all managed by Honda’s Sport Hybrid SH‑AWD system. The goal is to deliver blistering acceleration, precise torque vectoring, and confident handling in a car that still works well as a daily driver. It’s a high‑tech reinterpretation of the original idea: exotic performance, but with advanced electronics and hybrid technology to broaden its capability and tractability. The Type S variant, introduced in the early 2020s, tightens the package further with more power, aero upgrades, and weight‑saving measures for even sharper track performance.
In the modern era, Honda/Acura emphasized a synthesis of raw speed with refined control. The NSX’s hybrid setup is designed to deliver instant torque and smooth power delivery while preserving the mid‑engine balance that made the original so beloved. The result is a car that can feel race‑ready on a track yet composed enough for a weekend road trip.
Here are the key elements that define the original NSX’s appeal:
- All‑aluminum space frame for exceptional stiffness and lightness
- Mid‑engine V6 with VTEC for high‑rev performance and broad torque
- Balanced chassis and precise handling that reward skillful driving
- Reliability and daily drivability rare in exotic sports cars
- Track‑inspired technology simplified for road use (and later refined in variants)
In summary, the original NSX established a template: combine advanced materials with a driver‑focused chassis to deliver authentic supercar excitement without compromising everyday usability.
In the modern NSX, the standout tech is:
- 3.5‑liter twin‑turbo V6 paired with three electric motors for all‑wheel drive and torque vectoring
- Nine‑speed dual‑clutch transmission designed to handle electric‑assisted launches and high‑rpm gear changes
- Sport Hybrid SH‑AWD system that distributes power for grip and agility
- Lightweight materials and aerodynamics to balance speed with efficiency
- Rich driver electronics and customizable drive modes for various road and track conditions
- Type S variant offering higher power and refined aero for even more aggressive dynamics
Together, these elements create a modern package that aims to deliver sub‑3‑second acceleration, impressive top speeds, and precise handling while still feeling approachable on public roads.
Notable variants and milestones
NSX-R
The NSX‑R was a lightweight, track‑focused evolution introduced in the early 1990s. It shed nonessential equipment, used a stiffer suspension, and pursued a lower weight and sharper handling envelope. The result was a purer driver’s car that emphasized track performance while staying true to the NSX’s core philosophy of balanced dynamics and reliability.
NSX Type S
Released in the early 2020s, the Type S is the most powerful NSX to date. It increases power, refines aero, and refines chassis tuning for sharper on‑track performance, while preserving the neural network of electronics and drive modes that make the NSX approachable. It stands as a culmination of Honda/Acura’s work to push the NSX’s performance envelope without losing its everyday usability.
Summary
The Honda NSX stands out because it reframes the idea of a supercar: you can have world‑class performance, advanced engineering, and everyday practicality in a single car. Its two generations tell a single story of innovation—the original proving that aluminum construction and a high‑reving V6 could coexist with reliability, and the modern hybrid NSX showing that cutting‑edge electronics and multi‑motor propulsion can deliver thrilling, controllable speed. Across variants like the NSX‑R and Type S, the NSX remains a benchmark for how to blend race‑inspired performance with Honda’s long‑standing commitment to quality and everyday usability.
