2018 Acura NSX Coupe

NSX is more convincing when the options are kept to a minimum. Most of them are costume items and do not affect the way the car works. Yes, carbon ceramic brakes save some weight, but they are quite expensive, and many carbon fiber trim packages are just cosmetic. Check the boxes in the Technology packs for navigation, parking sensors and connections. Finally, for those who want to maximize resale value, consider choosing one of two high quality pearls.
Expert Review
Overall rating
6.9 / 10
Acura NSX 2018 is a mid-engine supercar with all-wheel drive located at the top of the Acura lineup. It is a formidable technical achievement and a strong performer, but it has some flaws and we believe it can benefit from a dose of emotion.

The power of the NSX 2018 starts with a 3.5-liter turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine and a nine-speed gearbox designed specifically for the NSX. In addition to that, there are three electric motors: one to help the engine and two on the front axle to provide traction and affect its handling. At the same time, its chassis is a combination of aluminum and steel, and has a magnetic damper that varies around it.

The advanced design of the NSX makes it an exotic sports car, easily driven every day quickly. Forget about 60 mph in about 3 seconds and get the fuel economy of what an Acura TL was used to recover in the 1990s. Experience your organic driving in the face of so many complexities. Big is probably the greatest achievement of the NSX.

However, as sophisticated as it is, NSX lacks the sense of the occasion. His V6 does not have a particularly strange sound, his cabin borrows elements of the Hondas in the $ 20,000 range, and the style of the car, though it is safe and well balanced, does not invite him. stay or admire. Meanwhile, its hardware is completely hidden. That is NSX has a silent mode but not a noisy mode to say a lot.

NSX has personality but no attitude. It's a super car without a dagger.

Adjustment level and characteristics
Unlike some of its competitors, the Acura NSX 2018 is only available as a two-door coupe and two-seater in a single performance specification. No body style or other cut level. It comes standard with a 3.5-liter dual-turbo V6 turbocharger, nine speed gearboxes and a trio of electric motors that constantly monitor and optimize the NSX's traction.

V6 only provides the rear wheel and each front wheel has its own electric motor. This allows the onboard computer to accelerate or decelerate each wheel carefully to keep the NSX active while driving high performance. A third electric motor combined with the V6 engine in a conventional hybrid-electric form, adds torque at low speeds and allows the engine to be very smoothly started. The combination of V6 petrol and electric motors produces 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque.

Standard equipment includes LED headlamps, adaptive magnetic suspension, 19 inch front and rear 20 inch wheels, ignition and lock, two-zone automatic climate control, rearview mirror automatic matte, leather upholstery and suede simulator, manual adjustable seat with heating system, eight speaker system with two USB inputs, 7 inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay compatibility and Android Auto and AcuraLink smartphone connectivity system.

There are some optional features. Its main optional package is the Technology package, which provides a navigation system, parking sensor and high-end ELS audio system with satellite radio. A few packages are also available that equip the NSX with extra exterior carbon fiber trim and exterior trim.

Independent options include carbon ceramic brakes, improved summer tire performance, superior color paint, long carbon fiber cosmetic list (roof panel, interior decor, engine cover, rear spoiler), a different style of wheel, electric seats in two leather options, and a suede lining simulated.

Test settings
Each car has many similar versions. The evaluations in this review are based on our complete test of the Acura NSX 2017 (3.5L V6 | 9 dual clutch automatic AWD hybrid).
Driver
8.5
The breadth of performance in the NSX is not surprising. But in this class, it's not just about capacity; That's the way he does what he does. What Acura lacks is the talent for drama that is almost offset in technical sophistication and general competence.
Acceleration
9.0
Acceleration is standard for this class, and NSX is not disappointing. Impressive is how you can speed up low and medium speed bends with total reliability under all conditions. In Edmunds' test, the NSX recorded impressive time from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds.
Brake
8.0
You may never know that the NSX is a cable brake, which is the natural feel of the pedal. There is a good initial bite of the optional carbon brake, along with easy modulation. In our 60 mph brake test, the pedals felt soft, but the NSX tried to stop short of 100 feet on the basic tire.
Goverment
8.5
Both effort and rate are in the NSX. More impressive is the feel and precision of the steering wheel when considering the enormous amount of work done by the front wheels in and out of a corner. The direction is less when two electric motors attached to the front wheels.
Manage
7.5
Although tires all season of our test car, it shows high levels of grip and confidence until it reaches its driving limit. Then he showed a lot of understeer and then disconcerting oversteer. Stability control is effective, but its operation is frustrating and heavy-handed.
Manage
9.0
Acura focuses on making the NSX easy to drive, and it shows. In the city, it is smooth and fast, and stop-and-go traffic can be handled primarily with electricity. Secondary routes and lanes can be mastered with incredible efficiency. This may be the strongest feature of NSX.
Convenient
7.5
The NSX achieves a rare balance between epic performance and passenger comfort over long distances. However, the climate controls do not seem to fit, and the noise of the engine rises in long units.
Comfortable chair
7.5
There is a wonderful and simple mixture as well. While the back of the seat has good grip, the support is very comfortable and excellent, the seat cushion seems a bit short in length and adjustability. Although they are not ventilated, the seat warms up and breathes well.
Travel comfortably
8.5
Although only two suspension configurations, both involve driving mode, handle almost all surfaces, abnormalities of the road and revolve with confidence. Long distance will not reduce passengers, even on a choppy highway, while a more solid configuration still meets the standards for maximum traction.
Noise and vibration
7.0
One of the quietest cabins in the class is damaged due to the noise of the suction pipe. That absolutely does not fit a super car, even with frequent wastes. There is a notable wind noise in both exterior mirrors.
Climate control
5.5
Frustrated, the climate control has physical buttons and touch screen. The vent is too small, lacking coupling and seems to come from an older Acura. Although the cabin cooling and heating system is sufficient, this system is quite disappointing in a car at this price.
furniture
7.5
For a smart car like the NSX, its touchscreen interface does not get inspired (or is it?) A missed opportunity. While the driving position and view are great, a large portion of the ease of use of the car does not seem to be equal.
Easy to use
5.5
The NSX interior will be familiar to you if you have handled Acuras recently as it shares many of the same controls. It also means that NSX inherits most of the bugs. The touch screen has too many menus to go through and the navigation buttons seem too picky.
Enter / Exit
7.5
The cushions of the seat cushions not only have a small elasticity, but are also wrapped in the skin, facilitating their sliding in and out. The car and the roofline are very low, so the higher drivers will have to bend over a bit and look at their heads as they leave.
Driving location
8.0
Except for seat cushions that can not be adjusted for angle or height, this is a quick process to find sitting positions that allow any type of driver. Seat assistance never interferes with driving. Steering wheels, slightly squared and strong contours, feel natural.
Space
7.0
There is enough room for the shoulders and head for most drivers, though higher drivers may run out of foot to front of anything else. Cool cabin does not feel stuffy.
Display
8.5
The very thin front pylons and low floor provide great forward visibility. The visibility on both sides is also very good, and the exterior mirrors are well placed and of good size. Backward vision is good for an exotic sports car.
Quality
6.0
The external tolerance and quality of the paint is what we expect from any Acura, and the quality of the interior surfaces is generally good. There are some unexplainable plastic in the closet of the interior door. And the plastic on the passenger door of our test car fell into a pothole.
Utilities
4.0
It does not seem fair to expect a supercar to have a lot of true cargo capacity, if any, but most of Acura's rivals provide enough cargo space and storage for the side. Small items for a weekend trip for two. The NSX lacks true interior storage and startup is severely affected by excessive engine heat.
Store small items
5.0
Only minimal storage is available in the cabin. There is room for the phone, sunglasses and maybe some breathless mints, but not much more. The cupholders are removable. Installed, they invade the passenger space. When they are stored, they occupy the bulk of the glove compartment.
Download space
3,0
There is about 4.4 cubic feet of space between the engine compartment and the rear bumper. Two small bags will be placed, but their contents will withstand considerable heat due to poor insulation. There is no trunk in front, so anything remote from heat sensitive should be kept inside or left at home.
Technology
5.5
With the rest of the NSX very attractive and smart, having what the same information and entertainment system of a Civic is unacceptable. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, but even the excellent ELS sound system can not rescue the look of the parts box.
Sounds and navigation
4.5
Except for the animated NSX logo displayed on the screen, Honda's clear touch screen, and obsolete and clumsy interface. At least the ELS sound system is crisp, powerful and definitely make the most of a small cabin. The competition is simply better
Built-in smartphone
7.0
Fortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are compatible and more popular than the original interface. Synchronizing your phone with just basic Bluetooth is more complicated than necessary.
Driver assistance
6.0
In addition to traction control and multi-pole stability and the ability to turn it off completely, the NSX offers a number of driver assistance functions today, such as adaptive cruise control or collision-minimizing braking.
Voice control
5.0
High noise of the taxi in the most aggressive driving mode hinders the efficient operation of the voice control. Even if it's quiet, voice control performs too many steps to complete a simple process. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are better options.
soure : edmunds.com