From the blazing speed of Acura’s NSX hypercar to the reborn Acura Integra and the sporty, mid-aughts RSX, Acura has consistently punched above its weight when it comes to sports cars.

Sure, Honda’s luxury and performance brand Acura might convey more luxe than speed, with the reliable and safe MDX and RDX crossovers or the spiffy TLX. But Acura does have a history of producing awe-inspiring sports cars, with one slated for 2023 to get gearheads’ tongues wagging in advance.

We're here to walk you through three of Acura’s most renowned sports cars and show you exactly what makes these sporty rides so great.

MORE:

How to save on Acura insurance costs

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

Does Acura make sports cars?

Yes, Acura does make sports cars. Well, technically Acura makes one sports car—the fierce NSX, though the soon-to-be-reborn Integra and the fondly remembered RSX are/were both spritely, sporty vehicles.

Acura’s first sports car was the 1989 NSX, which successfully blended the best of a hypercar with the practicality of a daily driver. The NSX lives on to this day as the brand’s premier sports car. But the Integra and the RSX are thrilling in their own right, so we’ll break them all down to give you the lowdown on each of these beastly road stars.

2022 Acura NSX Type S

The 2022 Acura NSX starts at $171,495, and it has been Acura’s go-to sports car since the late 1980s. It remains a top-tier feat of engineering—with its stealth styling and fighter-jet-like body, the 2022 NSX Type S both nods to the speed demons of the past and points to the future, as this hybrid boasts a V6 engine paired with three electric motors.

The 2022 NSX is actually the last, as it will be discontinued after the 2022 model year. Still, talk about going out on a high note—the NSX boasts an asphalt-scorching 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of just 2.9 seconds. Add to that a top speed of 191 miles per hour, responsive handling, and strong brakes, and the 2022 NSX will not be forgotten.

Of course, if you want to get your hands on one of these soon-to-be-collectibles, you’ll need to act quickly—just 300 models of the ‘22 NSX will be produced.

Another cool aspect of the NSX is its Quiet Mode, which will spare your neighbors’ eardrums as you barrel down the street and nearly break the sound barrier on your way to work.

How does the NSX compare to its competitors? Suitably well. Compared to the McLaren 570 ($215,000) and the

Mercedes AMG GT

($119,000), the NSX actually offers better handling and a quieter ride, making it especially useful as a daily driver, unlike the other two. If you are set on heading to the track and you have money to spend, those non-Acura roadsters might be better for you.

MORE:

Should I buy a sports car?

2023 Acura Integra

Next year, Acura will reintroduce its famous

Integra

—a hatchback that will start at $31,895, making it much more affordable, yet still shifty, fun, and sporty.

While those looking to buy an Integra might be disappointed that they won’t be getting the jaw-dropping power of the NSX, they’ll still be in for a treat—the Integra will feature a turbocharged 1.5 L 4-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and an available 6-speed manual transmission.

While the new Integra will share a body with the Honda Civic, Acura’s reborn, entry-level luxury coupe will feature distinctive exterior styling and will be a carload of fun to drive.

Since there’s no Type S trim yet, we suggest going for the A-Spec Technology trim, which gets you an even sportier design, 18-inch wheels, and that slick 6-speed manual gearbox. The A-Spec trim also features a limited slip differential, direct steering, and adaptive dampers for even more fun on turns.

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

2006 Acura RSX

The RSX was Acura’s mid-aughts successor to the Integra—a sporty hatchback with more aggressive styling than its predecessor. While the

Acura RSX

was discontinued in 2006, it is remembered fondly for its incredible steering and refined drive. The RSX was an affordable, everyday vehicle that offered plenty of fun on the way to the office.

The last RSX sported a smooth and high-revving 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine, with 201 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. It came with a 6-speed manual transmission that was quick and fluid while still offering a secure ride. The RSX also came with strong brakes, a tuned-up suspension, and a super-cool rear spoiler.

When it was last released in ’06, the RSX retailed for $23,845, but you’ll likely be able to find a used one nowadays for $3,000 to $12,000, depending on the trim level, condition, mileage, added features, and other factors.

MORE:

The best-selling sports cars in the U.S.

A history of the Acura sports car

The vaunted NSX, the soon-to-be-undead Integra, and the gone-but-not-forgotten RSX are just some of Acura’s sports car history milestones. Here’s a timeline of Acura’s most important sports car moments.

1986:Honda, determined to challenge the European imports cornering the North American luxury market, forms Acura as its luxury and performance division to make its claim to the U.S. and Canadian markets. Two models were released to start—the sporty Integra, and the Legend, a luxury sedan.

1989:Acura’s unveiling of its NSX hypercar sends a warning shot across the hood of the supercar industry. The NSX was billed as an exotic sports car that was actually practical and reliable. In fact, Motortrend was so smitten with the NSX that it called it “the best sports car ever built.”

1991:Acura dipped its toes into the racing world and won its first race, the 1991 Camel Lights Championship, with a V6-powered NSX racer. Acura would go on to also win the 24 Hours of Daytona race that same year.

2013:In Marysville, Ohio, Acura unveils its Performance Manufacturing Center, built to experiment and create unique driving technology and innovation processes. This facility is where the next-generation NSX was born.

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

How to save money on Acura insurance

While insuring a sports car is usually more expensive than a sedan, there’s no need for you to sell a kidney in order to insure your NSX or your new back-from-the-dead Integra—just use

Jerry

This car insurance comparison shopping app is all about finding drivers the best insurance policies at the lowest possible price. Sign-up takes just 45 seconds, and then Jerry gets to work comparing top quotes from more than 50 top insurance companies to ensure you get the best policy at an even better rate.

Once you pick a new policy, Jerry signs you up and helps cancel your old policy for you. Best of all? The average Jerry user saves more than$800 per year on car insurance!

“I’m a young adult in college. I paid overpriced insurance regularly, until
Jerry
found me a fast and easy quote. It reduced my costs by 60%.” —Niveah M.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry