The 2018 Acura NSX is an all-wheel-drive, mid-engine hybrid supercar that sits at the top of Acura's product range. It's a formidable technical achievement and a potent performer but is flawed in a few ways, and we think it could benefit from a dose of emotion.

The 2018 NSX's power starts with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 and a nine-speed transmission that are purpose-designed and -built for the NSX. On top of that, there are three electric motors: one to assist the engine and two at the front axle to provide traction and to influence its handling. Meanwhile, its chassis is a mix of aluminum and steel, and it has magnetorheological variable dampers all around.

The NSX's advanced design makes for an exotic sports car that is easy to drive quickly every day. Forget that it will hit 60 mph in about 3 seconds and get the fuel economy of what an Acura TL used to get back in the 1990s. Its organic driving experience in the face of enormous complexity is probably the most striking accomplishment of the NSX.

And yet, as sophisticated as it is, the NSX lacks a sense of occasion. Its V6 doesn't have a particularly exotic sound to it, its cabin borrows elements from Hondas in the $20,000 range, and the car's styling, while safe and well-proportioned, does not invite you to linger or admire. Meanwhile, its extensive hardware is totally concealed. That the NSX has a Quiet mode but not a Loud mode speaks volumes.

The NSX has personality but not attitude. It's a supercar without swagger.

Trim levels & features

Unlike some of its competition, the 2018 Acura NSX is available only as a two-door, two-seat coupe in a single performance specification. There are no other body styles or trim levels. It comes standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, a nine-speed transmission, and a trio of electric motors that continually monitor and optimize the NSX's traction.

The V6 powers the rear wheels alone, and each front wheel has its own electric motor. This lets the car's onboard computers carefully accelerate or decelerate each wheel to keep the NSX on course during high-performance driving. A third electric motor pairs with the V6 engine in common hybrid-electric fashion, adding torque at low speeds and enabling very smooth engine starts. The combination of gasoline V6 and electric motors generates 573 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque.

Standard equipment includes LED headlights, adaptive suspension dampers (magnetorheological), 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather and simulated suede upholstery, manually adjustable seats with heating, an eight-speaker sound system with two USB inputs, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and the AcuraLink smartphone connectivity system.

There are a few features that are optional. Its main optional package is the Technology package, which gets you a navigation system, parking sensors, and a nine-speaker premium ELS sound system with satellite radio. A couple of packages that outfit the NSX with extra exterior and interior carbon-fiber trim are also available.

Stand-alone options include carbon-ceramic brakes, upgraded performance summer tires, premium paint hues, a long list of cosmetic carbon-fiber components (roof panel, interior trim, engine cover, rear spoiler), a different style of wheels, power seats in two leather choices, and a simulated-suede headliner.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2017 Acura NSX (turbo 3.5L V6 | 9-speed dual-clutch automatic | AWD hybrid).

Driving

4.5

The breadth of performance capability in the NSX is nothing short of astounding. But in this class it's not just about capability; it's also about the way it does what it does. What the Acura lacks in flair for the dramatic it nearly makes up for in technical sophistication and overall competency.

Acceleration

Exhilarating acceleration is the standard for this class, and the NSX does not disappoint. More impressive is the way it can accelerate out of low- and medium-speed corners with full confidence in all conditions. In Edmunds testing, the NSX posted an impressive 0-60 mph time of 3 seconds.

Braking

You might never know the NSX is brake-by-wire, such is the natural feel of the pedal. There's good initial bite from the optional carbon brakes, along with easy modulation. In our panic-braking test from 60 mph, the pedal did feel soft, but the NSX managed to stop in a short 100 feet on the base tires.

Steering

4.5

Both the effort and the ratio are just right in the NSX. More impressive is the feel and accuracy of the steering when you consider the colossal amount of work the front wheels do in and out of a corner. The steering loses little for having two electric motors attached to the front wheels.

Handling

3.5

Despite our test car's all-season tires, it showed high levels of both grip and confidence until it got close to its handling limit. After that, it demonstrated lots of understeer and then disconcerting oversteer. The stability control is effective, but its operation is frustrating and heavy-handed.

Drivability

Acura focused on making the NSX easy to drive, and it shows. Around town, it's smooth and quick, and stop-and-go traffic can be handled largely under electric power. Back roads and racetracks can be tamed with unbelievable efficiency. This might be the NSX's strongest feature.

Comfort

3.5

The NSX strikes a rare balance between epic performance and passenger comfort over long distances. However, the climate controls look out of place, and the piped-in engine noise grows tiresome on long drives.

Seat comfort

3.5

There's a mix of excellent and merely good. While the seatbacks are grippy, very comfortable and highly supportive, the seat cushions seem a bit short on length and adjustability. While not ventilated, the seats are heated and breathe well.

Ride comfort

4.5

Though there are only two suspension settings — both tied to driving modes — they handle most every surface, road irregularity and cornering force with aplomb. Long distances won't wear down the passengers, even on a choppy freeway, while the firmest setting still has compliance for maximum traction.

Noise & vibration

One of the quietest cabins in the class is somewhat spoiled by the piped-in intake noise. That's not befitting a supercar at all, even with the occasional wastegate whoosh. There's noticeable wind noise from both outside rearview mirrors.

Climate control

Frustratingly, the climate control has both physical and touchscreen buttons. The air vents are too small, lack articulation, and look to have come from another, older Acura. Even though cabin cooling and heating are adequate, the system is largely disappointing in a car of this price.

Interior

3.5

For a car as clever as the NSX, its uninspired hand-me-down (or is it pass-me-up?) touchscreen interface pilfered from a Honda Civic seems a missed opportunity. While the driving position and the view out are excellent, a major part of the car's usability doesn't seem up to par.

Ease of use

The inside of the NSX will look familiar if you've driven other recent Acuras because it shares many of the same controls. It also means the NSX inherits most of the flaws. The touchscreen has too many menus to go through, and the transmission selector buttons seem unduly fussy.

Getting in/getting out

3.5

The seat cushion bolsters not only have a bit of give, but they're also wrapped in leather, making them easy to slide past while getting in and out. The car and the roofline are very low, so taller drivers will have to bend down quite a bit and watch their heads when exiting.

Driving position

With the exception of the seat cushion not being adjustable for angle or height, it's a quick process to find a seating position that allows for any type of driving. The seat bolsters never interfere with driving. The slightly squared-off and aggressively contoured steering wheel feels natural.

Roominess

There's adequate shoulder and headroom for most drivers, though taller drivers might run out of legroom before anything else. The airy cabin doesn't feel claustrophobic.

Visibility

4.5

The very slim front roof pillars and a low cowl make for fantastic forward visibility. Visibility to the sides is also very good, and the outside mirrors are well-placed and nicely sized. Rearward visibility is decent for an exotic sports car.

Quality

2.5

Exterior tolerances and paint quality are what we've come to expect from any Acura, and the quality of interior surfaces is generally good. There is some inexplicably downmarket plastic around the interior door latches. And the plastic on the passenger door of our test car rattled over bumps.

Utility

It might seem unfair to expect a supercar to have much, if any, real cargo capacity, but most of Acura's rivals offer enough cargo room and small-item storage for a weekend trip for two people. The NSX lacks any real interior storage, and the trunk is heavily compromised by excessive engine heat.

Small-item storage

Only the most minimal of storage is available in the cabin. There's room for a phone, sunglasses and maybe some breath mints, but not much more. The cupholders are detachable. Installed, they intrude on the passenger's space. When stored, they take up most of the glove compartment.

Cargo space

There's a paltry 4.4 cubic feet of space between the engine compartment and the rear bumper. Two small bags will fit, but their contents will be subjected to quite a bit of heat due to poor insulation. There's no front trunk, so anything remotely heat-sensitive needs to be kept inside or left at home.

Technology

With the rest of the NSX so intriguing and clever, having what amounts to the same infotainment system from a Civic is unacceptable. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, but even the excellent ELS audio system cannot rescue the parts-bin interface.

Audio & navigation

With the exception of the animated NSX logo displayed on the screen, the touchscreen is obviously from Honda, and the interface is dated and clumsy. At least the ELS audio system is crisp, powerful and certainly makes the most of the small cabin. Competitors are simply better.

Smartphone integration

Thankfully, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported and much preferred to the native interface. Pairing your phone with just the basic Bluetooth is more complicated than it should be.

Driver aids

2.5

Beyond the multimode stability and traction control and the ability to fully disable it, the NSX offers few of today's driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control or collision mitigation braking.

Voice control

The elevated cabin noise in the more aggressive driving modes make it difficult for the voice controls to work effectively. Even when it's quiet, the voice controls need too many steps to complete a simple process. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are better options.

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Features & Specs

MSRP

$156,000

MPG

21 city / 22 hwy

Seats 2

9-speed automated manual

Hybrid

573 hp @ 6500 rpm

See all 2018 Acura NSX features & specs

Safety

Our experts’ favorite NSX safety features:

Vehicle Stability Assist: Influences the car's willingness to slide in varying degrees selectable by the driver.
Brake Assist: Supplies additional braking pressure during a panic stop.
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera: Provides three different views (rear, top and wide) of the car to aid reversing and parking.

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More about the 2018 Acura NSX

Last year, Acura returned to the mid-engine supercar fold with an all-new NSX for the first time in 12 years. While the original version of the car was fairly elemental, though sensationally executed, the new NSX dispenses with tradition in favor of advanced technology.

That means all-wheel drive, a 500-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, a nine-speed transmission, and a trio of electric motors that continually monitor and optimize the NSX's traction. The V6 powers the rear wheels alone, and each front wheel has its own electric motor. This setup lets the car's onboard computers carefully accelerate or decelerate each wheel to keep the NSX on course during high-performance driving.

A third electric motor pairs with the V6 engine in common hybrid-electric fashion, adding torque at low speeds and enabling seamless engine starts. The combination of gasoline V6 and electric motors generates 573 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque.

Like the original NSX, the new model relies on steel and aluminum construction and mostly eschews the lighter, stiffer carbon fiber that helps reduce the weight of premium sports cars. Its heavy electric motors and batteries push the NSX's weight up to 3,803 pounds.

Inside the NSX cabin are two comfortable seats mounted low to the floor, adding some challenge to the act of entry and exit. The car is fitted with plush leather upholstery, but any luxury pretenses are undermined by off-the-shelf Acura switchgear. The steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, for example, are made with plastic that looks and feels cheap instead of aluminum or magnesium more common to this class of car.

Thanks to its mid-engine layout, the cowl is low, contributing to excellent forward visibility. This is certainly helpful when piloting the NSX at the speeds it easily achieves.

Magnetically adjustable shock absorbers create a supple ride that is unexpectedly absorbent for a car of this performance caliber. The brakes, which use electronics to connect the pedal to the actual brakes, impart a feeling of absolute confidence, with none of the awkward action common to brakes in hybrid cars.

The hybrid electric components contribute to the NSX's outstanding performance numbers, including 0-60 mph acceleration in 3 seconds and EPA fuel efficiency of 21 mpg combined (21 city/22 highway).

That relatively thrifty hybrid-electric drivetrain and all-wheel-drive system add capability but also weight, eroding some of the visceral thrill that leads drivers to buy cars like the NSX. There's a nice bit of sound from the V6, however, especially when switching the NSX to Track mode. The Quiet mode will surely be appreciated by neighbors when it lets the NSX creep out of your garage on electric power alone in the wee hours, but the car's overall character is somewhat muted for a sports car of this class.

When it's time to pick your new sports car, Edmunds has all the details you need on the 2018 Acura NSX and its competitors.

2018 Acura NSX Overview

The 2018 Acura NSX is offered in the following submodels: NSX Coupe. Available styles include 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 9AM).

What do people think of the 2018 Acura NSX?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Acura NSX and all its trim types. 0 Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 NSX.

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Acura NSX and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 NSX featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

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Should I lease or buy a 2018 Acura NSX?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

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