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Photo of a Honda NSX

Honda NSX

From 1990's all-aluminum monocoque world first to the 600-hp 2022 Type S.12

Researched November 2, 2026 from 38 sources

Also called

  • crypto-FerrariBrian Laban's description of the original Honda's tidy, understated styling.3
  • F-16 for the roadCar and Driver's 1994 test used it for the original NSX's fighter-inspired canopy and sweeping forward view.4

At a glance

0300600
252–600 hpPower
0510
3.1–5.8 s0–60 mph
0175350
261–307 km/hTop speed
0400800
285–667 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,230–1,770 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.246111213

Engine
Gen 1: 3.0 L C30A/3.2 L C32B VTEC V6; Gen 2: 3.5 L twin-turbo hybrid V658
Layout
Gen 1: mid-engine, RWD; Gen 2: mid-engine, hybrid AWD8
Gearbox
Gen 1: 5/6-speed manual or 4-speed auto; Gen 2: 9-speed dual-clutch68
Built at
Gen 1: Takanezawa/Suzuka, Japan; Gen 2: PMC, Marysville, USA26

The story

Honda built the original NSX to combine exotic-car performance with everyday reliability. Badged Acura in North America and Hong Kong, it paired the first production all-aluminum monocoque with a high-revving VTEC V6 and titanium rods.156

1990: Chicago prototype becomes a showroom car19901992: NSX-R slims to 1,230 kg19921997: 3.2 liters and six speeds for the manual19972002: Fixed headlights; NSX-R runs 7:56.7320022005: First generation ends; successor promised20052016: 573 hp and electric torque vectoring20162019: Chassis retune cuts Suzuka lap time20192022: 350 Type S cars close the story2022 Honda City development mule: 1984Honda HP-X: 1984Acura NS-X Concept: 1989Honda / Acura NSX (first generation) (NA1/2): 1990–2005NA1/2Honda / Acura NSX (second generation) (NC1): 2016–2022NC1 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1368182021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1984Honda City development mule
1984Honda HP-X
1989Acura NS-X Concept
1990–2005Honda / Acura NSX (first generation) (NA1/2)
2016–2022Honda / Acura NSX (second generation) (NC1)
1990Chicago prototype becomes a showroom car
1992NSX-R slims to 1,230 kg
19973.2 liters and six speeds for the manual
2002Fixed headlights; NSX-R runs 7:56.73
2005First generation ends; successor promised
2016573 hp and electric torque vectoring
2019Chassis retune cuts Suzuka lap time
2022350 Type S cars close the story
  1. 1990

    Chicago prototype becomes a showroom car

    After its 1989 Chicago debut, the NSX went on sale as an Acura in the US in August 1990 and reached Japan in September.1

  2. 1992

    NSX-R slims to 1,230 kg

    Japan's NSX-R shed about 120 kg before options, adopting Recaro carbon-Kevlar seats and lighter Enkei wheels to reach 1,230 kg.6

  3. 1997

    3.2 liters and six speeds for the manual

    Manuals gained a 3.2-liter C32B V6 and six speeds; automatics kept the 3.0-liter C30A. Acura manual output climbed from 270 to 290 hp.78

  4. 2002

    Fixed headlights; NSX-R runs 7:56.73

    Fixed HID lamps replaced the pop-ups; the new NSX-R arrived in May. Motoharu Kurosawa recorded 7:56.73 at the Nürburgring.179

  5. 2005

    First generation ends; successor promised

    More than 18,000 sold worldwide by June; Honda announced the NSX's retirement in July and confirmed a successor was in development.16

  6. 2016

    573 hp and electric torque vectoring

    The second generation launched with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6, three motors, AWD and a nine-speed DCT; front-motor torque vectoring sharpened cornering.5810

  7. 2019

    Chassis retune cuts Suzuka lap time

    Stiffer anti-roll bars, new Continental tires and revised software cut nearly 2 seconds at Suzuka; Thermal Orange Pearl joined the paint range.10

  8. 2022

    350 Type S cars close the story

    The final-year Type S combined 600 hp with a GT3-inspired diffuser: 350 cars worldwide, 300 for the US. NSX production ended in November.28

Every generation

  • Honda / Acura NSX (first generation)
    NA1/21990–2005
  • Honda / Acura NSX (second generation)
    NC12016–2022

Power over the years

From 261 hp to 600 hp in 25 years.

0200400600 20002005201020152020 hp 1997 · 261 hp · Type T automatic (265 PS)1997 · 276 hp · Type T manual (280 PS)1997 · 290 hp · Acura C32B six-speed manual1999 · 290 hp · US Alex Zanardi Edition2002 · 276 hp · NSX-R (quoted output)2017 · 573 hp · Acura NSX hybrid system2022 · 600 hp · Acura NSX Type S hybrid system 600 hp Acura NSX Type S hybrid system 261 hp Type T automatic (265 PS)
2578141516
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1997261Type T automatic (265 PS)
1997276Type T manual (280 PS)
1997290Acura C32B six-speed manual
1999290US Alex Zanardi Edition
2002276NSX-R (quoted output)
2017573Acura NSX hybrid system
2022600Acura NSX Type S hybrid system

Versions

7 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • NSX-T

    Standard

    NSX-T

    1995–2005

  • NSX Type S (1997)

    Performance

    NSX Type S (1997)

    1997

  • Performance

    NSX Type S-Zero

    1997

  • NSX-R (1992)

    Performance

    NSX-R (1992)

    1992–1995

    483 built

  • NSX Type S (2022)

    Limited

    NSX Type S (2022)

    2022

    600 hp

    350 built

  • NSX-R (2002)

    Performance

    NSX-R (2002)

    2002–2005

    276 hp

    140 built

  • Alex Zanardi Edition

    Limited

    Alex Zanardi Edition

    1999

    290 hp

    53 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original generation: a low wedge, with the cockpit pushed forward and a long tail.36
  • Early originals often have a black, canopy-like roof and slim, sloping pillars.4
  • Original generation: 6 rear light blocks in a red band, plus a brake-light strip in the spoiler.17
  • Hybrid generation: headlights made up of multiple small LED elements.17
  • Hybrid generation: buttresses rise over vents in the rear fenders.17

Year by year

  1. 1994

    The original 15/16-inch five-spokes gave way to 16/17-inch seven-spokes.34

  2. 1995

    A removable targa roof marked the arrival of the NSX-T.6

  3. 1997

    The 3.2-liter/six-speed manual upgrade added a front underskirt; the fixed-headlight facelift came later.7814

  4. 2002

    Fixed HID lamps replaced pop-ups; the facelift also put 17-inch wheels at both ends.17

  5. 2019

    Silver front grille trim became body-colored; grille surrounds and mesh gained a high-gloss finish.10

  6. 2022

    Type S added angular nose intakes, split-five-spoke wheels and a larger rear diffuser inspired by the NSX GT3 Evo.2

Against its rivals

  • Ferrari 348tb

    NSX vs Ferrari 348tb

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    NSX5.8 s
    Ferrari 348tb5.6 s
    12
  • Lotus Esprit S4

    NSX vs Lotus Esprit S4

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    NSX5.8 s
    Lotus Esprit S45 s
    12

Prices

Value today $71.0K–$219.0K32333435

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$500K$1M$2M 19901995200020052010201520202025 Value today: $71,000–$219,000 1991 · $60,000 · US starting price1994 · $77,265 · US base, delivery and luxury tax2017 · $157,800 · US base2017 · $202,960 · US as tested2019 · $157,500 · US base, excludes destination2022 · $169,500 · US Type S MSRP2022 · $182,500 · US Type S, Lightweight MSRP2022 · $185,995 · US Type S as tested 1991 · $60,000 · US starting price, 1991 model year 2016 · $1,200,000 · 2017 NSX VIN #001, charity, Barrett-Jackson2025 · $71,000 · 1991 NSX 5-speed, 92k miles, BaT2025 · $450,679 · 1995 NSX-R, 26k km shown, total mileage unknown, BaT2025 · $219,000 · 2022 NSX Type S, 1,700 miles, BaT2025 · $109,300 · 1995 NSX-T 5-speed, 21k miles, BaT2026 · $126,000 · 1991 NSX 5-speed, 23k miles, modified, BaT2026 · $264,500 · 2022 NSX Type S, 1,300 miles, Lightweight, BaT2026 · $628,000 · 1999 NSX Zanardi Edition #22, 23k miles, BaT2026 · $163,500 · 2005 NSX-T 6-speed, 35k miles, BaT2026 · $125,500 · 2017 NSX, 8k miles, BaT $1.2M Barrett-Jackson, 2016
12478101113183132333435363738
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1991Launch price$60,000US starting price, 1991 model year
1991Price when new$60,000US starting price
1994Price when new$77,265US base, delivery and luxury tax
2017Price when new$157,800US base
2017Price when new$202,960US as tested
2019Price when new$157,500US base, excludes destination
2022Price when new$169,500US Type S MSRP
2022Price when new$182,500US Type S, Lightweight MSRP
2022Price when new$185,995US Type S as tested
2016Auction sale$1,200,0002017 NSX VIN #001, charity, Barrett-Jackson
2025Auction sale$71,0001991 NSX 5-speed, 92k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$450,6791995 NSX-R, 26k km shown, total mileage unknown, BaT
2025Auction sale$219,0002022 NSX Type S, 1,700 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$109,3001995 NSX-T 5-speed, 21k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$126,0001991 NSX 5-speed, 23k miles, modified, BaT
2026Auction sale$264,5002022 NSX Type S, 1,300 miles, Lightweight, BaT
2026Auction sale$628,0001999 NSX Zanardi Edition #22, 23k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$163,5002005 NSX-T 6-speed, 35k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$125,5002017 NSX, 8k miles, BaT
2026Value today$71,000–$219,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 7 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “Eighth overall, first in GT2”
    • “Two titles for the original NSX-GT”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources
  1. Honda to Discontinue Production of the NSX Sports Car-Successor sports car now in development- | Honda Global Corporate Website global.honda
  2. Acura Debuts Limited Production 600hp NSX Type S at Monterey Car Week acuranews.com
  3. Used Honda NSX (1999 - 2006) review: Japan's original supercar | evo evo.co.uk
  4. Tested: 1994 Acura NSX Is a Fighter Jet for the Road caranddriver.com
  5. 2017 Acura NSX Press Kit - Overview acuranews.com
  6. Honda NSX (first generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. 1991-2005 Acura NSX Buyer's Guide caranddriver.com
  8. Honda NSX - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  9. Seltener Honda NSX-R für fast eine Million Euro verkauft auto-motor-und-sport.de
  10. 2019 Acura NSX Press Kit hondanews.com
  11. Tested: 2017 Acura NSX caranddriver.com
  12. Esprit Road Tests lotusespritworld.com
  13. 2022 Acura NSX Type S First Test Review: Doing It GM-Style motortrend.com
  14. Honda updates its “NSX” and adds new “Type S” | Honda Global Corporate Website global.honda
  15. Alex Zanardi Signature Edition NSX – NSX FAQ nsxfaq.com
  16. Honda NSX-R review – Japan’s Porsche 911 GT3 RS is one of the most exciting supercars ever | evo evo.co.uk
  17. Old vs new: Honda NSX Tokyo shootout | evo evo.co.uk
  18. 1,300-Mile 2022 Acura NSX Type S for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $264,500 on October 31, 2026 (Lot #271,598) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  19. Honda NSX 3.2 Type R GT Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  20. Honda Global | The NSX / 1990 global.honda
  21. Acura NS-X Concept (1989) - pictures, information & specs netcarshow.com
  22. Acura NSX History and Future motortrend.com
  23. How the Original Acura NSX Was a Huge Influence on the McLaren F1 roadandtrack.com
  24. Le jour où Honda a remporté les 24 Heures du Mans en GT2 - Endurance Info endurance-info.com
  25. NSX-GT: Honda prepares to bid farewell to a S... | Honda.Racing honda.racing
  26. Superhero Supercar Returns: Acura NSX Roadster from Marvel’s The Avengers to Appear at Monterey Car Week acuranews.com
  27. Acura NSX Designer Michelle Christensen caranddriver.com
  28. Acura Celebrates NSX GT3 Success Ahead of Final IMSA GTD Race acuranews.com
  29. Champion Download: A Few Minutes with Racers Edge Motorsports | GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS gt-world-challenge-america.com
  30. Update Details (1.48) - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  31. 23k-Mile 1991 Acura NSX 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $126,000 on May 5, 2026 (Lot #241,151) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 1991 Acura NSX 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $71,000 on December 28, 2025 (Lot #225,229) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 1,700-Mile 2022 Acura NSX Type S for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $219,000 on May 22, 2025 (Lot #192,958) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 1995 Honda NSX-R for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $450,679 on August 22, 2025 (Lot #206,016) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. One-Owner, 23k-Mile 1999 Acura NSX Zanardi Edition #22 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $628,000 on September 23, 2026 (Lot #264,436) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 35k-Mile 2005 Acura NSX-T 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $163,500 on August 24, 2026 (Lot #259,299) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 8k-Mile 2017 Acura NSX for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $125,500 on March 11, 2026 (Lot #233,096) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. 21k-Mile 1995 Acura NSX-T 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $109,300 on May 4, 2025 (Lot #190,242) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • global.honda
  • acuranews.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • hondanews.com
  • lotusespritworld.com
  • motortrend.com
  • nsxfaq.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • supercarnostalgia.com
  • netcarshow.com
  • roadandtrack.com

Photo credits

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