First Look: Acura’s Bold New RSX EV

Acura is bringing back the RSX name nearly two decades after it disappeared — but in a form no one could have predicted. Previewed at Monterey Car Week as the Acura RSX Prototype, the upcoming model swaps the nostalgic liftback coupe shape for a sleek, high-performance electric coupe SUV.

With its arrival set for the second half of 2026, the RSX will be the first Acura to use Honda’s in-house global EV platform, promising cutting-edge technology, sporty driving dynamics, and a bold new design direction for the brand.

Key Highlights

• Nameplate returns after nearly 20 years, now as an electric coupe SUV.
• First Acura to use Honda’s new global EV platform.
• Dual-motor all-wheel drive with sport-tuned suspension.
• Evolved production-ready design previewed at Monterey Car Week.
• Launch scheduled for the second half of 2026, positioned below the ZDX.

A New Era for the RSX

The original RSX — and the Integra coupe before it — built its reputation as a compact, rev-happy sports car. In contrast, the new Acura RSX Prototype is an all-electric, high-style crossover, designed to showcase what the brand’s future performance models will look and feel like.

Acura’s Creative Director, Yasutake Tsuchida, describes it as “a sporty coupe style that expresses performance through excellent aerodynamics”, aiming to merge timeless beauty with advanced technology.

Design: From Concept to Reality

The RSX Prototype evolves from last year’s Acura Performance EV Concept but now appears far closer to production.
Key changes include:

• Slightly thicker pillars for structural integrity.
• Larger camera-based mirrors for improved visibility.
• Flush-mounted door handles for aerodynamic efficiency.

Finished in Propulsion Yellow Pearl with glossy black accents and red Brembo brakes, the RSX rides on practical 21-inch alloys (down from the concept’s 23-inch set). The front features a unique split-LED headlight design and a central intake that subtly forms a smile, while the rear boasts full-width taillights and an integrated ducktail spoiler — design cues that align it with the latest generation of coupe-SUV EVs.

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Performance and Platform

Unlike the GM-based Acura ZDX, the RSX rides on Honda’s proprietary EV architecture.
Confirmed features include:

• Dual-motor all-wheel drive for precise power delivery.
• Sport-tuned suspension with front double wishbones.
• Low center of gravity for agile handling.
• Brembo braking system for enhanced stopping power.

Acura also promises a mobile energy storage capability, allowing the RSX to function as a power source — a feature increasingly common in high-end EVs.

Technology and Interior

While the interior remains under wraps, Acura has confirmed the RSX will debut the Honda Asimo Operating System. This intelligent software learns from driver habits, tailoring everything from climate control to navigation preferences, aiming to create a highly personalized driving experience.

Specifications (Prototype Stage)

Production and Positioning

The production RSX will roll off the Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio, which also builds the Integra and is set up for gasoline, hybrid, and full EV production. It will sit below the ZDX in Acura’s lineup, which currently starts at $64,500.

Acura aims for the RSX to capture both nostalgic fans and a new generation of EV buyers, marking a significant shift in the brand’s design language and performance philosophy.

What This Means for Acura’s Future

The return of the RSX nameplate signals more than just a nod to history — it represents Acura’s full commitment to electrification and performance in the EV era. If the production model stays true to the prototype’s promise, the RSX could become a standout in the growing coupe-SUV electric segment.