#17: 2016 Acura NSX
The NSX needs little introduction with its Ferrari-theft looks, mid-engine displacement, and Tron-esque tail lights. This Japanese supercar was Honda’s response to the Italians’ decades of producing bright red mid-engine roadsters, and it accomplished the feat with little effort. Inspired by F-16s and designed with consult from Formula One champion Ayrton Senna, the original NSX cemented its place in the annals of supercar history.
In 2007, Honda probably decided their lineup was getting too pedestrian and so they broke ground on introducing a new roadster. The Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept (ASCC) would sport a mid-engine V10, though poor economic conditions killed off production. In 2016 the Japanese carmaker made attempt two by reinvigorating the old name with the second-generation NSX, marketed by Acura. Sticking to its old (and more affordable) formula, Honda’s new NSX captures a blazing 2.7-second stretch from null to 60, building off the original iteration with a longitudinal, mid-engine V6 that pumps out 573 HP and 476 lb-ft of torque.
Of course, making such a quick 0-60 time doesn’t work with a naturally-aspirated motor. Honda slapped two turbos to the motor and included dual front and one rear electric motor completed with AWD power transfer. A 9-speed, dual-clutch transmission gets the new NSX to the sweet spot on the powerband quick enough to launch it into that coveted sub-3-second category.
Unlike our previous contenders, the NSX manages all this performance with a proper luxury supercar visage that’s comfortable and practical enough to function as an executive’s daily driver. A super-plush, stitched interior hugs passengers while an advanced, touch screen infotainment system and premium sound and comfort features make even a morning commute enjoyable. At a base price of $156K, the new Acura NSX is one of few exotics on this list affordable enough for sub-millionaires.
