Acura RSX Returns as Sporty, Coupe-like Electric SUV
Acura is reviving the RSX nameplate, but it won’t be applied to the rear of a high-revving, four-cylinder sports coupe like the previous generation, which was sold here in the States from 2001–2006. Instead, the new RSX will be an all-electric SUV with sweeping, coupe-adjacent proportions and four doors.
If the camouflaged picture above looks oddly like a Mustang Mach-E, you’re not crazy, that was our first thought too. However, the form factor is proving popular among buyers—the Mustang Mach-E outsold the regular gas-powered Mustang for the first time in 2024. Anywho, back to Acura.
We got our first hint that Acura was mulling a performance EV SUV at Monterey Car Week this year, where it debuted something called the Performance EV Concept, a sweeping, stilted coupe with a sharp nose and thin, aggressive headlights. While it’s tough to tell how much of that concept will translate directly to the new RSX’s bodywork, we’d reckon that the production version will look markedly more conservative, as is usually the case for a car’s transition from concept to road-ready.
Details on the RSX are almost nonexistent as of this writing. Acura representatives stated that bits like powertrain layout, performance figures, and more would arrive closer to the model’s launch. The automaker expects production of the new RSX, which will be the first model underpinned by Honda’s all-new, in-house-developed EV platform, to begin at the end of 2025. (Recall that Honda’s first two EVs, the Prologue and the Acura ZDX, are underpinned by GM’s Ultium platform, utilized through a partnership with GM that has since been dissolved as Honda forges its own path for future EVs.)
One thing that was noted, however, is that this model will be smaller than the ZDX. At 197.7 inches long, the ZDX is roughly the same size as the MDX gas-powered SUV (198.4 inches), Acura’s largest model. Despite that, the ZDX has eight inches more between the wheels (121.8 inches vs. the MDX’s 113.8) and we’d expect the RSX’s wheels to be similarly stretched as far as possible to the corners for performance enhancements and packaging efficiency.
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Fans of Honda’s rich history here in the U.S. will perhaps lament the fact that the RSX name won’t belong to a four-cylinder sports car with stellar driving traits anymore. But Andrew Quillin, a representative from American Honda, reminds us that the original RSX was itself a pivot: “We believe RSX is the right name for our new all-electric SUV. This isn’t a ‘revival’ of the previous RSX coupe. Globally, that model was sold and marketed as Integra and we have seen resounding fan enthusiasm for the fifth-gen Integra—especially with the Type S.” While we do appreciate the RSXs of old, Quillin’s logic makes sense. Besides, the new Integra absolutely rips—particularly in the Type S guise.
Prototypes for the RSX’s second act begin real-world road testing this week. We’ll keep a close eye on this one and get back to you when we receive particulars down the road.
Could they have used another name? Dishonoring the American Integra like that is really sad. This is the Mustang Mach E, Lancer and Blazer all over again. Build the car you think you can sell, but stop using names that have meaning to enthusiasts.
Come on Honda, with all of the letters in the alphabet, you couldn’t come up with some other combination of letters to name this gawdawful piece of trash than to disparage what was a wonderful and fun sport coupe? Nothing in common at all and it certainly won’t encourage any former RSX enthusiasts to rush out and buy this thing.
The RSX doesn’t have the same name as Integra for the import Sedan / Coupe enthusiast but I do find it funny they figure that RSX does not have enough of a legacy to slap that name on a coupified Crossover Toaster.
As much as this is disheartening, I can kinda see why this happened some may have thought the Prelude could be also made as an Acura model as an RSX or even an Integra coupe however then again it would’ve most likely been named the RSX and most of today’s market would have no idea what an RSX is and that would make the coupe more of a tough sell
At least the Integra and Prelude are recognizable as they are iconic names and at least they’re not made into crossovers yes that’s a low bar however the Integra got to stay as a hatchback and the Prelude got to stay as a coupe
Still would’ve been cool to just make another Prelude as an Integra coupe for the Acura brand because why the heck not however coupes are a tough sell with the GR86/BRZ being the only option for the $30k range at least the Prelude can join that market soon
If this RSX coupe crossover SUV electric thingy helps bring Honda more money to keep making the Civic Type R, Integra Type S, Prelude, make cooler variants, keep the manual transmission, and keep making motorcycles then so be it look at Porsche for example
What’s with everybody making turd crossovers that take their styling cues from the much maligned Crosstour? And no we don’t need an Acura version of the new overweight and undoubtedly overpriced hybrid Prelude. Honda should spend their resources on fixing their problem 1.5 turbo