Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Acura NSX Generations (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateBest Acura NSX Generations (Ranked)
The Acura NSX (sold as the Honda NSX outside North America) is the everyday supercar that redefined the segment. The first generation (1990-2005) introduced an all-aluminum monocoque and a high-revving VTEC V6 to a class dominated by temperamental Italian exotics, proving a mid-engine supercar could be reliable, comfortable, and usable every day.
The second generation (2016-2022) became a hybrid all-wheel-drive technical showcase with three electric motors and a twin-turbo V6. Both eras share the same core mission — a mid-engine supercar you can drive every day — yet they pursue it through completely different engineering philosophies, which is part of what makes the NSX such a fascinating nameplate to study and to own.
Whichever generation you choose, you are buying a car that pushed the entire supercar class forward and that holds its value because of that engineering pedigree. Below are the ten best NSX generations, model years, and special editions to buy, ranked by driving quality, rarity, and used-market value.
Direct Answer
The best overall Acura NSX is the first-generation NSX-T / NA2 (2002-2005), with its 3.2-liter VTEC V6 and 6-speed manual — the facelifted fixed-headlight car combines the original's analog purity with the most power, the best gearbox, and the highest collectibility. The best value is the second-generation NC1 (2017-2022) hybrid, whose 573-hp twin-turbo V6 plus three-motor all-wheel-drive system delivers genuine supercar performance for a fraction of its original sticker.
Purists chasing the icon should target an early 1991-1994 pop-up-headlight NA1, while track buyers want a Type S. On any NSX, service history and originality matter as much as the spec sheet.
1. 2002-2005 Acura NSX-T (NA2, 3.2L VTEC) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The facelifted NA2 dropped the pop-up lamps for fixed HID headlights and ran the 3.2-liter C32B VTEC V6 making 290 horsepower with a 6-speed manual (the larger engine arrived in 1997). Lightweight all-aluminum construction, near-perfect balance, a 7,500-plus-rpm wail, and bulletproof Honda reliability make it the best all-around first-gen NSX.
The 6-speed transmission and updated suspension sharpened an already brilliant car. As a collectible, clean NA2 cars now bring $100,000-$180,000+, with low-mileage examples climbing higher.
2. 2017-2022 Acura NSX NC1 (hybrid twin-turbo V6) 💎 BEST VALUE
The second-generation NSX uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 plus three electric motors for 573 horsepower and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, running 0-60 in about 2.9 seconds. Originally priced near $160,000, clean used cars now trade for $95,000-$130,000 — supercar pace, all-weather traction, and advanced hybrid technology for the best value in the lineup.
It is a remarkably usable supercar that you can drive in any weather, every day.
3. 2022 Acura NSX Type S (NC1, 600 hp final edition)
The send-off Type S raised output to 600 horsepower, added bigger turbos, a quicker-shifting 9-speed dual-clutch, retuned chassis and dampers, and unique aero. Only 350 were built worldwide (300 for the US), making it the rarest and most collectible second-gen car and the most powerful NSX ever produced.
Values run $180,000-$260,000+, reflecting both its performance and its limited production as the final NSX.
4. 1991-1994 Acura NSX (NA1, original pop-up headlights)
The original NA1 launched the legend with the 3.0-liter C30A VTEC V6 making 270 horsepower, pop-up headlights, and a glorious 6,800-8,000 rpm song. Developed with input from Ayrton Senna, it humbled exotics on usability, reliability, and visibility. As the iconic original that changed what a supercar could be, well-kept early cars bring $80,000-$150,000+, with the pop-up styling especially prized by collectors.
5. 1999-2001 Acura NSX Zanardi Edition (lightweight)
The US-only Zanardi Edition (51 built, named for IndyCar champion Alex Zanardi) deleted power steering, fitted a fixed-roof coupe body, added lighter BBS wheels, a manual steering rack, and a thinner rear window for reduced weight. As one of the rarest and most focused first-gen NSXs, it commands $200,000-$400,000+ and is among the most desirable NSX variants ever sold in America.
6. 1997-2001 Acura NSX-T (NA2, 3.2L removable roof)
The NA2 NSX-T with the 3.2-liter, 290-hp V6 and removable targa roof offers open-air motoring with the upgraded engine and 6-speed gearbox. It's the most usable pre-facelift big-engine car and a strong collectible that blends the targa's versatility with the more powerful 3.2-liter engine.
Clean targa cars bring $90,000-$150,000, depending on mileage and condition.
7. 1995-1996 Acura NSX-T (first targa)
For 1995 Acura introduced the NSX-T removable-roof body, which became standard in the US. These early targa cars still use the 3.0-liter, 270-hp C30A with the 5-speed manual. As the first open-top NSX, they're a desirable, more attainable classic at $70,000-$120,000 and offer a taste of the open-air NSX experience at a lower entry point than later cars.
8. 2019-2021 Acura NSX (NC1 facelift)
The mid-cycle NC1 update sharpened the styling, retuned the chassis and dampers, and added new colors and detail improvements. With the same 573-hp hybrid powertrain and improved dynamics, the facelifted second-gen is a refined, fast bargain supercar that benefits from the lessons learned in the earlier cars.
It trades for $100,000-$135,000, making it a strong pick for buyers who want the most polished standard NC1.
9. 1991-1994 Acura NSX Automatic (F-Matic, NA1)
The 4-speed automatic NA1 makes slightly less power (around 252 hp) but offers the same exquisite chassis and aluminum body in an easier-to-drive package. It's the most affordable way into a first-gen NSX, since manuals command a substantial premium. Auto cars run $55,000-$90,000 and are a sensible entry for someone who wants the NSX look and feel without manual-car pricing.
10. 2017 Acura NSX (NC1 launch year)
The 2017 launch car introduced the hybrid second generation to the US with the full 573-hp Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system. As the first year of the new NSX and now the cheapest entry to the modern model, early cars can be found for $90,000-$115,000 — strong value for a technologically advanced hybrid supercar with everyday usability and all-wheel-drive traction.
What Makes the NSX Special
The original NSX changed the supercar world by proving that an exotic could be reliable, comfortable, and usable every single day without sacrificing the driving thrills. Honda engineered the first-generation car with an all-aluminum monocoque body and suspension, an industry first for a production car, which kept weight down and rigidity high.
The mid-mounted VTEC V6 revved cleanly and sang past 7,500 rpm, the ergonomics and visibility were genuinely excellent, and the car would start and run faithfully like any other Honda. After driving prototypes, Ayrton Senna himself pushed Honda to stiffen the chassis further, and the finished product humbled established Italian rivals on usability while matching them for pace and balance.
The second-generation NSX took a completely different but equally ambitious path. Rather than chase lightness and analog purity, it embraced hybrid technology and all-wheel drive, pairing a twin-turbo V6 with three electric motors — two driving the front wheels for torque vectoring and one integrated with the engine.
The result is a 573-hp supercar that launches with electric-assisted ferocity, corners with computer-controlled precision, and remains drivable in rain or snow. The two generations could hardly be more different in philosophy, yet both reflect the same Honda obsession with engineering excellence and everyday usability.
That is why the NSX name carries such weight and why both eras have devoted followings among enthusiasts and collectors.
How to Choose
First decide between the two very different NSX eras. The first generation (1990-2005) is a lightweight, naturally aspirated, analog driver's car with a high-revving VTEC V6 and a manual gearbox — choose it for purity, sound, and the strongest collector appreciation, with the 3.2-liter NA2 manual being the prize.
The second generation (2016-2022) is a complex hybrid all-wheel-drive supercar that is faster, more usable in all weather, and a tremendous value used; pick it for modern performance, technology, and the ability to drive a supercar every day in any climate.
On first-gen cars, verify the timing belt and water pump service history, check the transmission snap-ring status on early examples, and confirm originality, since these factors heavily affect both reliability and value. Documented, unmodified cars with original paint command large premiums.
On second-gen cars, confirm the hybrid battery health and full Acura service records, and prefer cars that have been dealer-maintained. Across both generations, avoid accident histories and aftermarket modifications that hurt resale. Remember that the manual transmission always commands a premium on the first generation, so a manual car is both the better drive and the better long-term store of value.
Buy the best-documented, best-condition example you can afford, because with the NSX, history and originality are worth far more than a slightly lower asking price.
Consider the ownership realities of each generation before committing. The first-generation NSX is famously dependable for a mid-engine exotic, but it still uses period-specific components, and parts such as the timing belt service, clutch, and certain trim pieces can be costly when they are due, so confirm what has recently been done and what is coming up.
Values have risen enough that proper collector insurance and secure storage are worth budgeting for, especially on low-mileage and special-edition cars. The second-generation NC1 is mechanically robust and largely dealer-serviced, but its hybrid system, carbon-ceramic brake options on some cars, and bespoke tires can carry supercar-level costs, so factor those into the equation and prefer cars with complete Acura service records.
Both generations hold their value well when kept original and documented, which makes a careful, well-maintained purchase a sound long-term decision as much as an emotional one. Whichever era you choose, the NSX delivers a blend of engineering integrity, everyday usability, and driving satisfaction that few supercars at any price can match.
FAQ
Which NSX generation should I buy? Buy the first generation if you want an analog, naturally aspirated, manual driver's car with the strongest collector upside — ideally a 3.2-liter NA2. Buy the second generation if you want a faster, all-weather hybrid supercar with modern technology at a relative bargain.
Both are reliable by supercar standards thanks to Honda engineering and quality.
Why is the first-generation NSX so expensive now? The NA NSX combined exotic looks and mid-engine balance with Honda reliability, all-aluminum construction, and Senna-influenced development — and it's now a recognized icon. Limited production, surging interest in 1990s performance cars, and special editions like the Zanardi have pushed prices to $80,000-$400,000+ for the best examples.
Is the second-generation NSX a good value? Yes. It originally sold near $160,000-$170,000 and now trades from roughly $90,000-$135,000, offering 573 hp, all-wheel drive, and 2.9-second 0-60 for far less than its sticker. It's one of the best performance-per-dollar modern supercars on the used market today.
What should I check on a used NSX? On the first generation, verify the timing belt and water pump service, transmission snap-ring status on early cars, and originality. On the second generation, confirm hybrid battery condition and complete Acura service history.
On both, avoid accident cars and prefer documented, low-modification examples for the best ownership experience and resale.
Bottom Line
The first-generation NA2 NSX-T with its 3.2-liter VTEC V6 and 6-speed manual is the best NSX overall — the purest, most collectible version — while the second-generation NC1 hybrid is the best value for modern supercar performance. Collectors should target the Type S or Zanardi Edition, and icon-seekers the pop-up-headlight NA1.
On any NSX, service history and originality decide value as much as the spec sheet, so buy the best-documented car you can afford.
Sources
- Honda / Acura NSX (first generation) — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NSX
- Honda NSX (second generation) — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NSX_(second_generation)
- Acura official NSX specifications and Type S documentation
- Hagerty NSX valuation tools and first-generation buyer's guide
- Car and Driver NSX road tests and 0-60 figures across both generations
- Bring a Trailer NSX auction results including Zanardi Edition cars
- Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book used NSX value ranges