Skip to main content

2017 Acura NSX Review: Is It a Super Car?

On paper, the 2017 Acura NSX is very much a supercar.

Performance credentials, certainly, are not in question. The 573 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque motivate all four wheels thanks to the combined efforts of a mid-mounted twin-turbo V6 and three electric motors (one at each front wheel and a third sandwiched between the engine and transmission). For some perspective, the 2018 Honda Accord 1.5-liter conjures up just a third of the NSX’s output.

Related:

Acura’s halo car isn’t wanting in terms of sophistication, either. Apart from its advanced hybrid drivetrain — which can silently scoot the car along at low speeds with only electric power — the NSX’s nine-speed, dual-clutch transmission; multiple drive modes; torque-vectoring functionality; and digital driver display are all on par with the latest six-figure performance machines.

The price, too, transcends the norm: $156,000 to start, plus an easy $50,000 of available options. One fully loaded NSX is worth more than all five of Acura’s other models.

Despite this data in support the NSX’s supercar claim, one subjective measure has the potential to crumble Acura’s case: impact. Fair or not, conclusions about where a vehicle fits in the performance hierarchy are made at first glance; numbers come second.

Rather than describing the NSX’s aesthetic nuances and arguing its curb appeal, I chose a more direct test. Strapped into a highly optioned example, I took to the streets of south Orange County, a center for Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and other established supercar nameplates. What hope did an Acura-badged two-door have when competing for attention with Italian eye-candy?

2017 Acura NSX
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Even before escaping my neighborhood’s cluster of monochromatic townhomes, I uncovered the NSX’s biggest handicap. Turbos “whooshed” and gears “shunked,” but engine music was confined largely to the cockpit. Passersby could hear little of the NSX’s hybridized wizardry, meaning the car would rely on observational intrigue — a challenge with so many sets of eyes fixed on smartphones.

Undiscouraged, the Curva Red Acura strut its stuff along Pacific Coast Highway, flashing its buttresses to South Coast Plaza shoppers and waving its carbon fiber spoiler at Fashion Island dawdlers.

Bright red brake calipers shone from within gunmetal gray wheels. Carbon fiber exterior trim panels added race-inspired flair to the front lip, roof, trunk, and lower bumper. Thin strips of LED daytime running lights illuminated the rearview and side mirrors of every preceding car. If ever a 2017 Acura NSX had a chance to stir the masses, this would be it.

The first remark came from a construction worker at a business plaza. “What is that thing?” he inquired. “The Acura NSX,” I replied. “Oh…looks awesome,” he blurted after a long pause.

My next interaction was non-vocal, but far more aggressive. Out of nowhere, my rearview mirror was filled with the front end of a late-model Volkswagen Golf GTI. Peering into the tailgater’s cabin, I saw four young faces with slack jaws and wagging fingers. Rear passengers butted heads to see around the front headrests. Forward passengers snapped pictures and Instagram stories. Playing along, I popped the NSX into Sport Plus mode and hammered the throttle, mustering as soulful a noise as possible while leaving my pursuers to their … well, whatever it is teenagers do these days.

The real ruckus started after turning onto Huntington Beach’s Main Street. Surfers, tourists, and families spilled out of taco shops and into apparel stores. I couldn’t have drawn more stares if I’d ridden on a floating, 30-foot ape. “Cool,” “check it out,” and “what is that?” mouthed various groups of onlookers. The NSX demanded attention without prejudice.

Anecdotal evidence was mounting, but it wasn’t until pausing for my caffeine fix that the two-door’s trial was settled. Claiming a wide parking space in a crowded lot, I ambled towards the coffee shop’s entrance. Before I could grab the door handle, though, a man on the patio called out: “Hey, what kind of car is that?”

“It’s the new NSX,” I smiled back.

With furrowed brow, he summoned a new query: “it’s fast, right?

“Very,” I assured.

“Nice,” he concluded, relaxing his expression.

I finally grasped Acura’s success. Whether anyone could identify the NSX or knew its specifications was inconsequential; casual observers needed only to believe this car was extraordinary in some way. One look was all it took.

Editors' Recommendations

Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
Pricing for the new Mercedes-AMG GT starts at $135K — here’s what you get
The Mercedes-AMG GT offers superior power and luxury
2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe

2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe_02 Rear 3/4 View MBUSA / MBUSA

While a portion of the population may believe that the only new cars worth getting excited about are EVs these days, as it turns out, ICE vehicles are still around, and what's more, some of them are far more exhilarating than your average Tesla model update. While Mercedes-Benz is known for making lavish luxury vehicles, the tenor of those cars tends to get ratcheted up a few notches whenever Mercedes teams up with its in-house performance brand AMG. Now, the second generation of the incredible Mercedes-AMG GT is available for sale, and the world is all the better for it.

Read more
Buyer beware: The least reliable cars you can buy in 2024
Know the car reliability ratings of these bad buys
Front end angle of 2021 Ford F-150 parked on a dirt trail in front of a red barn and trees.

According to statistics, car sales grew by about 75.3 million globally in 2023, up from the estimated 67.3 million units sold in 2022. Evidently, buying a car is a big purchase, like buying a home, that many people want to achieve during their lifetime. 

Unfortunately, much like houses, cars have become increasingly more expensive in recent years. This is why people want to ensure they are buying a reliable car that isn't going to break down on them a few months to years down the line. The bottom line is drivers want reliability now more than ever. 

Read more
How many teams are there in Formula 1 in 2024?
!0 teams and 20 drivers compete for the World Championship,
Aston Martin Formula 1 race car driving directly toward the camera.

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix winner's stage Nate Swanner / DTMG

In the current FIA Formula 1 season, ten teams each field two drivers to vie for the highest Grand Prix World Championship points among all competitors. The 2024 F1 schedule has 24 Grand Prix racing events, including six that include a shorter F1 Sprint race.
Why F1 teams matter in the sport

Read more