2021 Acura NSX

The NSX is a proper hybrid sportscar and can change its character based on how you drive it, a traditional character of Honda V-tec equipped gasoline motors. Owing to this, the NSX can be driven as a daily driver and you can take it out on the track as well. Over the years it has been improved but is it still strong enough to compete against rivals such as Porsche 911 Turbo, Nissan GT-R, and the Audi R8? Let's check out.

Unlike other vehicles in this class, the 2021 Acura NSX only comes in one trim. With a price tag of $157,500, you can customize this beauty according to your own liking. As standard, you get various features such as heated seats with power-adjustable options, dual-zone automatic climate controls, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, ELS audio system, front and rear parking system, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. Multiple optional features are also available, most of which come under different packages for an additional price such as the Carbon Fiber Interior Sports package adds a carbon fiber instrumental panel and accents inside the cabin. On the other hand, Carbon Fiber Exterior Sports Package replaces various body parts with carbon fiber versions.

Which trim should you buy?

It feels a bit weird how the Acura NSX only comes in one and only trim. But Acura does offer different customization options while buying which provides a little bit of freedom to buyers. You can choose from three standard paint options (Curva red, Berlina black, and 130R white) which are free of cost. Their other seven color options cost from $1,000 to $6,000. We love the valencia red pearl but the choice is yours. 

The 2021 Acura NSX is powered by a hybrid-electric powertrain. You get a 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 engine which is paired with three electric motors. This combination provides a horsepower of 573 hp @ 6,000 rpm and a torque of 476 lb-ft @ 2,000 RPM. Out of three motors, one is directly paired with the engine and enables a smooth start of the engine, and provides torque-assist at low engine speeds. 

This combo is paired with a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and the trio provides power to the rear wheels. The other two electric motors individually power the front wheels. Together with resulting in an all-wheel-drive system. The powertrain is easily one of the core strengths of NSX as it can go from 0-60 MPH in just 3.1 seconds and can finish a quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds. The main reason behind NSX, known as an everyday sports car is its characteristics of a hybrid vehicle. 

The Porsche 911 Turbo is still the quickest one here with its over-engineered H-6 turbocharged powertrain and has a considerably higher top speed as compared to the Acura NSX. The mighty Nissan GT-R is blisteringly quicks as well and beats the NSX in the 0-60mph sprint by 0.1 sec and maxes out at an impressive 205 mph. The Audi R8, with its naturally aspirated V10 motor, is perhaps the most exciting car to drive purely for the melodious exhaust note and the classy V10 engine sound.

How well does the 2021 Acura NSX handle?

The hybrid powertrain on board the 2021 Acura NSX makes driving a lot easier especially in city traffic. The term everyday sports car shines here as you get precise steering that will surprise you in any situation. Like if you are going slow for a local stroll or something, the steering feels super light, and it weighs up nicely once you start going faster. 

In fact, the steering feels well-weighted with proper feedback resulting in smooth and controlled driving on the track or wherever you want to enjoy the car. As for the suspension, two settings for suspension enables NSX to tackle any kind of situation where you are on a rough road with low to medium bumps or you are going crazy on sharp corners. 

Braking Performance

It is a sports car we are talking about so naturally, it is going to be fast. But having a proper braking system to control such a fast vehicle is a must. The 2021 Acura NSX gets front 14.5 inches and rear 14.2 inches disc brakes which are ventilated and come with a regenerative braking system. The braking system is incorporated with brake assists to ensure the survivability of the vehicle and its occupants. However, the NSX weighs 3,878 pounds which is a bit on the heavier side in its class. 

But the efficient braking system manages to stop it from 60-0 MPH in an averagely short distance of 100 feet. Carbon-ceramic rotors are also available for an additional price which offers excellent efficiency and is perfectly made for tracks. 

When compared to its rivals, the braking performance of Acura NSX seems to lack behind its rivals. Both the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Nissan GT-R got bigger-sized brakes and managed to stop from 60-0 MPH in a shorter distance than the NSX. However, the Audi R8 got smaller-sized brakes than the NSX, but its lightweight construction certainly helps in surpassing the NSX by having better stopping power.

It is surprising to see how the 2021 Acura NSX got a powerful engine that manages to provide exceptional fuel economy for the segment. As it offers 21 MPG in the city, 22 MPG on the highways, and 21 MPG when combined. Making it a perfect sports car that can easily be used for daily local usage or long route weekend trips. Well, now you know why it’s called an everyday sports car. 

This miracle only happened because of the hybrid powertrain, as while going local in rush hours vehicles can switch to electric power, and compensate at lower speeds. Lastly, you get a stop and go kind of ignition system which is quick and efficient. The moderately sized 15.6 gallons fuel tank capacity results in a decent range.

When compared to its rivals, Acura NSX easily decimates the others by offering excellent mileage. However, we cannot ignore how all the other rivals come with bigger fuel tanks especially the Audi R8 which has a 21.9 gallons fuel tank. So when talking about the range both the Nissan GT-R and the Audi R8 offer better highway and combined driving range.

The 2021 Acura NSX interior is the vehicle’s weakest spot in terms of the quality of the materials, unfortunately. Design-wise the whole cabin looks spectacular and of course, has a sporty design. And yes, the cabin is spacious and never feels claustrophobic. Multiple double tone color options with metallic accents are available to choose from. As for the dashboard, a sleek design with metallic accents and a leather-trimmed sporty steering wheel is available. This is a two-seater so you get 4-way power-adjustable seats that come with smooth cushions and headrests. Both the seats are quite comfortable with adequate space for occupants over 6 feet in height. But we must mention that people over 6 feet in height might feel like there is a little bit of a shortage of legroom. 

The same can be said about the seats where more thigh support seemed necessary. Premium leather upholstery and Heated sports seats are also available. The visibility to the front from the inside is excellent but the rearview seems a bit cramped up. As for dual-zone climate control, the thin vents are a weird choice but somehow functions properly for such a spacious cabin. 

A carbon-fiber interior sport package is also available which adds an imitation suede headliner, carbon fiber accents on the steering wheel, and carbon fiber instrument panel hood. The 3.9 cubic feet of trunk space is abysmal as we could only fit just one bag inside. The inside of the cabin also has a very limited number of storage spaces.

Despite being a two-seater, Acura NSX offers a spacious cabin which is excellent for its class. And when compared to its rivals, both seats of NSX offer more space for occupants than the others. However, when it comes to cargo capacity, NSX falls miserably behind the others. 

Some of the standout interior features are as follows:

• Voice Activated Multi-zone auto climate control
• Illuminated locking glove box
• Day and night auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Leather-trimmed sporty steering wheel
• Leather and imitation suede combination upholstery

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Acura decided to put an infotainment system that can be found in Acura vehicles costing around $30,000 which is a shame. A 7-inch infotainment touchscreen is available as standard. The system has a decent touch response but it has the same UI problems as the other Acura vehicles. First of all, the UI feels ancient, second swapping through multiple menus is dreadful and lastly, the graphics quality of the display is just bad. This is not something you would want in a vehicle costing over $150,000. At Least it has support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which can bypass this nightmare.

Other features such as Bluetooth handsfree link, aux input, AcuraLink navigation system, and Siri Eyes free are available as standard. The ELS premium audio system is an impressive feature but sadly even that fails to overshadow the saddening touchscreen. Below are some of its key infotainment features.

Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• ELS Premium audio system with nine speakers
• Apple CarPlay support
• Android Auto support
• Acuralink Navigation system

Unlike its interior, the exterior design of the 2021 Acura NSX is hypnotizing. Although there are no changes over last year’s model except for the new addition of long beach blue pearl color. On the front, you get a familiar Acura grille but without any hefty surrounding, and on the sides you get straight but a bit tapered sharp headlights with easily countable LEDs providing a ravishing look. On the sides of NSX, again you will find tapered curves with vents for proper airflow. We must say the black roofline from front to back is an excellent decision. 

On the rear, you get a blacked spoiler above inverted designed led brake lights connected by a streak in the middle paying homage to the original NSX. The 19-inch front and 20 inch rear aluminum alloy wheels are beautiful and various parts are body-colored. A carbon-fiber exterior sport package replaces the front lip spoiler, engine cover, side sills, rear diffuser, and spoiler with carbon fiber trims. 

From the above table, it is clear that the Acura NSX is heavier than the others except for the Nissan GT-R. However, dimension-wise, it is somewhat on the smaller side than the others. The 3.7-inch ground clearance is decent for its class. The Porsche 911 has the most smooth design here and looks nothing extraordinary while the Audi R8 looks the best with its wide and aggressive front-end design.

Some of the standout exterior features are as follows:

• 19-inch front and 20-inch rear forged aluminum signature Y spoke alloy wheels
• Body-colored front and rear bumpers
• Black bodyside inserts
• Daytime running auto high beam headlamps
• LED brake lights

Those expecting excellent safety measures from a sports car would be disappointed. The NSX just covers the basics but has a strong body shell like other Honda and Acura vehicles.Multiple dual-stage airbags are available ensuring maximum survivability of the occupants. Other than these you are not going to find any top-of-the-line active features but then again not even its rivals have those. Which is a common thing among the sports car class. 

NSX is based on a high-tech platform specifically made from lightweight materials which only results in reducing the weight so do not expect much from it. Not even crash test data is available because till now both the Insurance Institute of highway safety and the National highway traffic safety administration haven’t crash-tested NSX. 

Some of the safety techs include:

• Vehicle Stability Assist
• Multi-Angle Rear View Camera
• Corner and Backup Sensors
• Brake Assist
• Cruise Control

2021 Acura NSX vs 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo

The Porsche 911 Turbo is a formidable vehicle in this class. So for Acura NSX going against it is a bit of a tough move. Porsche surpasses Acura by having quicker acceleration and top speed. 

Not to forget about the lighter body of 911. Acura NSX on the other hand provides a more spacious cabin that is visually attractive but still fails to match the level of quality and design as 911 offers. 

2021 Acura NSX vs 2021 Nissan GT-R

When going against Nissan GT-R, Acura NSX is slower by milliseconds but offers higher power output and better fuel economy.

Even the inside of NSX is more spacious than GT-R but do not forget that NSX is a two-seater where GT-R is a four-seater so both have their own pros and cons. Lastly, GT-R does offer a bigger fuel tank and cargo capacity.

2021 Acura NSX vs 2021 Audi R8

Going against Audi R8 is a daunting move by Acura NSX. especially if we consider engine configuration. but somehow NSX is faster, more spacious, and offers better fuel economy than R8. 

However, Audi’s top-tier interior quality and design can’t be overlooked, which is significantly better than what you would find in NSX. Even the cargo capacity and fuel tank capacity of R8 is far superior to NSX.

The Acura NSX is a rare bird in the sports car class which is well known for its incredible performance and gorgeous visuals. but it does have its flaws which makes it a conflicting choice as the bad infotainment system is harder to be overlooked and better quality interior can be found in its rivals. 

Customization is available but the price increases rapidly. So If you just want a sports car for daily driving and can overlook the average infotainment system then there is no better option than the 2021 Acura NSX.