When Acura finally resurrected the NSX for 2017, some enthusiasts proclaimed that it arrived too late and had changed too much from the original prototype. The original concept of a mid-engined V10 supercar was now a V6 hybrid production car. Not exactly what everyone was hoping for.
Unlike the original NSX, which packed a naturally aspirated V6 sending power to the rear wheels via a manual transmission, the second-gen NSX went in a completely different direction. It had two turbochargers, three electric motors, all-wheel drive, and a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission.
It was complicated. It was heavy. And with a starting price of roughly $156,000, it was relatively expensive at the time. But it was also incredibly quick.
Today, the technology that seemed excessive in 2017 suddenly seems remarkably forward-thinking. Hybrid supercars are everywhere, and depreciation means you no longer need nearly $200,000 to put an NSX in your garage. Maybe the second-generation NSX was simply ahead of its time.
Why Buy The Second-Generation Acura NSX?
Because it’s a genuinely exotic car that you can actually use.
That’s basically the same formula that made the original NSX famous, even if the second-generation car arrives at that conclusion in a completely different way. The centerpiece is that hybrid drivetrain. A 500-hp twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 sits behind the driver, paired with an electric motor and nine-speed dual-clutch transmission. Two more motors are on the front axle and add oomph while improving handling.
And it works brilliantly. The electric motors fill in the gaps while the turbos build boost, which makes the power delivery feel almost naturally aspirated. Nail the throttle and the NSX simply goes.
When Motor1 reviewed the NSX in 2017, we wrote:
‘Turn the drive mode dial over to Sport and the NSX wakes up, the brute force of its turbo 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors delivering all 573 horsepower with immediacy.’
‘Nothing grabs the attention of onlookers quite like the NSX, even here in glitzy SoCal.’
‘The harder you drive this car, the more it rewards you.’
Then there’s the way it looks. Nearly a decade after its debut, the NSX still appears properly exotic. It’s low, wide, and dramatic without appearing dated. And because Acura didn’t sell many of them, seeing one on the street remains an event.
How Much Is A Used Acura NSX?
The second-generation NSX originally started at around $156,000 for 2017, and options could easily send the price toward—or beyond—$200,000. Today, standard second-generation NSX examples generally fall into a much more approachable segment of the exotic-car market, according to Kelley Blue Book Values.
2017 Acura NSX: $125,000
2018 Acura NSX: $119,000
2019 Acura NSX: $121,000
2020 Acura NSX: $125,000
2021 Acura NSX: $131,000
Actual transaction prices vary considerably depending on year, mileage, options, and condition. A 2017 example recently sold for just $80,500 on Bring a Trailer. That doesn’t mean you’re finding perfect NSXs for $80,000 everywhere. Clean, low-mileage cars can still command significantly more than $120,000.
The exception is the 2022 NSX Type S.
Acura built just 350 Type S models worldwide, with 300 allocated to the US. Power increased to 600 hp and 492 lb-ft, thanks partly to larger turbochargers borrowed from the NSX GT3 Evo race car. Acura also revised the transmission, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, and hybrid system. Those cars haven’t depreciated much at all.
Classic.com currently puts the Type S market benchmark at around $236,000, while one sold for $278,000 in February 2026. So if you’re searching for value, the standard NSX remains the one to hunt down.
Which Acura NSX Should You Buy?
I’d look for a 2019-2021 NSX. The basic drivetrain remained unchanged at 573 hp, but Acura made a surprisingly meaningful round of updates for 2019.
Engineers installed larger front and rear stabilizer bars, stiffer rear toe-link bushings, revised rear hubs, and recalibrated the SH-AWD system, adaptive dampers, electric steering, and stability control. Acura also developed a new Continental SportContact 6 tire specifically for the car.
According to Acura, those changes helped the updated NSX lap Suzuka nearly two seconds quicker than the previous version. And according to, well, me and anyone else who’s driven it, the tire upgrade was a game changer for the NSX.
That’s not a tiny mid-cycle update. The 2019-and-newer cars retain everything that’s appealing about the original 2017 NSX while gaining better chassis tuning and slightly sharper responses.
A 2017 or 2018 shouldn’t scare you away, though. In fact, an early car could be the value play if you find one with the right service history at the right price. Mechanically, you’re still getting the same 573-hp hybrid drivetrain, nine-speed DCT, and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.
What Could Go Wrong?
The good news is that the second-generation NSX hasn’t developed the sort of horror-story reputation you might expect from a supercar containing a twin-turbo engine, three electric motors, a lithium-ion battery, and a dual-clutch transmission. But there’s no getting around the complexity.
That makes a proper pre-purchase inspection absolutely mandatory.
I’d want an Acura dealer or independent shop familiar with the NSX to check the hybrid system, battery health, cooling system, transmission, suspension, and electronic systems. A complete service history is worth paying extra for. Early cars also had a few recalls.
Certain 2017 and 2018 NSXs were recalled because the crossover pipe couplers connecting the car’s two fuel tanks could leak. Acura’s repair involved replacing both fuel tanks. Certain 2017 cars were also recalled for a center high-mount brake light issue that could cause the brake light fuse to blow.
Some NSXs were also included in Honda’s later fuel-pump recalls, so checking the VIN for completed recall work should be part of any purchase.
Then there are your typical exotic-car expenses.
The NSX uses 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels wrapped in wide performance tires. Cars equipped with optional carbon-ceramic brakes can face significant replacement costs when those components eventually wear out.
And remember where the engine sits. There isn’t much luggage space. We measure just 4.4 cubic feet behind the engine. There isn’t a front trunk because the NSX uses that space for hybrid hardware. So pack light.
What Are Some NSX Alternatives?
There’s no shortage of interesting performance cars priced between $100,000 and $150,000. A used Audi R8 gets you a naturally aspirated V10 while a Porsche 911 Turbo offers staggering performance with even more everyday usability.
You could also shop for a McLaren, AMG GT, Nissan GT-R, or a C8 Corvette Z06, depending on your budget. Most of them are more conventional than the NSX. But that’s exactly why the Acura is interesting.
Ten years ago, all of the technology in the NSX made it seem unnecessarily complicated. Today, it makes the car fascinating.
Audi R8
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Mercedes-AMG GT
Nissan GT-R
Porsche 911 Turbo
Why The Second-Generation Acura NSX Makes Sense
The second-generation NSX had a difficult job from the beginning. It’s the follow-up to one of the most beloved Japanese sports cars ever built, yet it abandons almost everything enthusiasts loved about that car.
No manual transmission. No naturally aspirated engine. No rear-wheel drive. And instead of simplicity, Acura threw basically every piece of performance technology it had at the thing. That wasn’t necessarily what NSX fans wanted in 2017.
But judged on its own merits—and at today’s prices—the equation changes.
For around $125,000, you can get a mid-engine supercar with 573 hp, three electric motors, all-wheel drive, a nine-speed DCT, a roughly three-second 0-60 time, and styling that still looks exotic nearly a decade later. Better yet, you can actually drive it to work without hating your life.
Find a clean 2019-2021 car. Get a thorough inspection. Make sure the recalls and maintenance are up to date. And don’t obsess over finding the absolute cheapest example.
The second-generation NSX may not have made perfect sense when it was new. As a used supercar, it finally does.
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| Acura | |
| Engine | Twin-Turbocharged 3.5-Liter V6 & Three Electric Motors |
| Output | 573 Horsepower / 476 Pound-Feet |
| Transmission | Nine-Speed Dual-Clutch |
| Drive Type | All-Wheel Drive |
| Speed 0-60 MPH | 3.0 Seconds |
| Maximum speed | 191 Miles Per Hour |
| Efficiency | 21 City / 22 Highway / 21 Combined |
| Seating Capacity | Two |
| Cargo Volume | 4.4 Cubic Feet |
| Base Price | $156,000 (2017) |
