Acura is officially bringing back the RSX name in the second half of 2026, but not as the low‑slung coupe enthusiasts remember—instead, it returns as a sleek, all‑electric coupe‑SUV that will be the brand’s first in‑house EV and a key showcase for Honda’s new global EV platform and “Asimo OS” software. The production RSX will closely follow the RSX Prototype shown in 2025 and slot below the ZDX in size and price while promising dual‑motor performance, sharp styling and a tech‑heavy cabin.
Launch Timing and Positioning
Acura previewed the RSX with a camouflaged prototype and concept‑style renderings, confirming that production is scheduled to begin at Honda’s new EV hub in Ohio in late 2026, with U.S. dealer arrivals expected during the second half of the year. The RSX will be Acura’s first EV built on Honda’s proprietary global EV platform—rather than GM’s Ultium hardware used in the ZDX—and it is designed to sit below the ZDX as a more compact, more affordable performance‑oriented crossover, similar in footprint to today’s RDX. Acura executives openly frame it as a new entry point into the brand’s electric performance lineup rather than a direct spiritual successor to the early‑2000s RSX coupe.
Design: Coupe-Like SUV With RSX Cues
Visually, the RSX trades the old car’s three‑door hatchback profile for a coupe‑SUV silhouette with four proper doors, a sloping roofline and a hatchback rear. The RSX Prototype shown in bright yellow hints at production design: a low nose with a closed “grille,” sharp LED signatures, heavily sculpted flanks and a tapering greenhouse that give it more of a performance‑coupe presence than a traditional upright SUV. Acura says the styling takes cues from the Acura Performance EV Concept unveiled during Monterey Car Week, suggesting the production RSX will share its clean surfacing, short overhangs and athletic stance.
Platform, Power and Performance
Under the skin, the RSX uses Honda’s new dedicated EV architecture with a flat battery pack in the floor and space for one or two electric motors. Official power figures are still under wraps, but Acura has confirmed that a dual‑motor all‑wheel‑drive system will be offered and positioned as the performance flagship, with a single‑motor rear‑drive setup likely forming the base model. Reports and early spec previews describe “strong acceleration” and performance to match other compact premium EV crossovers, placing the RSX in the same general performance bracket as an iX3‑ or Model Y‑type rival while emphasising handling and driver engagement.
Early RSX EV Overview
| Aspect | What Acura and reports indicate for 2026 RSX EV |
|---|---|
| Platform | Honda global EV platform, Acura’s first in‑house EV. |
| Layout | Coupe‑style compact SUV, 4 doors + hatch. |
| Drivetrains | Single‑motor RWD expected; dual‑motor AWD confirmed. |
| Launch window | Production late 2026; U.S. sales in 2H 2026. |
| Role | Below ZDX in size and price; sporty electric coupe‑SUV halo. |
Range, Charging and Battery Tech
While Acura hasn’t published battery capacity or EPA‑range numbers yet, the new Honda EV platform is being engineered to be competitive with other premium compact EVs on both range and charging. The RSX is expected to run an 800‑volt‑class electrical architecture with DC fast‑charging capability aimed at adding significant range in well under 30 minutes on a high‑power charger, and marketing language around “long‑range dual‑motor performance” suggests Acura is targeting real‑world figures safely above 250 miles (400 km) for at least one variant. Exact numbers will depend on final battery size and whether Acura prioritises outright range or performance for the launch trims.
Asimo OS and Next-Gen Tech
One of the biggest “brand firsts” with the RSX is software. Acura has confirmed that it will debut Honda’s new Asimo OS operating system, a software platform designed to manage infotainment, driver assistance and powertrain functions with frequent over‑the‑air updates. Asimo OS aims to deliver a more smartphone‑like experience—customisable instrument displays, cloud‑based navigation, integrated apps and profile‑based settings—and can also tweak driving characteristics, such as throttle mapping and torque distribution, via software. Expect a large central touchscreen, a fully digital cluster and a full suite of AcuraWatch driver‑assist tech (adaptive cruise, lane‑keeping, collision mitigation), tuned for highway EV cruising and urban traffic.
What Enthusiasts Should Expect
For fans hoping for a low, manual‑gearbox RSX coupe, Acura is clear that the new RSX is “not the sports car you remember,” but a forward‑looking electric performance SUV that borrows only the name and some coupe‑like styling cues from the original. The upside is that the coupe‑SUV format, dual‑motor AWD and software‑defined dynamics give Acura room to create Type‑S‑like variants later in the product cycle, with more power and sharper chassis tuning, while the Honda Prelude revival covers the traditional sports‑coupe role. As a result, the second half of 2026 will see the RSX comeback as a high‑tech, compact electric crossover that expands Acura’s EV reach rather than a direct throwback—but one that could still deliver the fun‑to‑drive character the badge is known for.
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FAQs
Q1: When will the new Acura RSX go on sale?
Production is set to start at Honda’s Ohio EV hub in late 2026, with U.S. dealer deliveries expected in the second half of 2026.
Q2: Is the 2026 RSX still a coupe?
No. The revived RSX is an all‑electric coupe‑style SUV with four doors and a hatch, not a low two‑door coupe like the early‑2000s RSX.
Q3: What’s special about the RSX’s tech?
It will be Acura’s first EV on Honda’s own global EV platform and the first to run the new Asimo OS, enabling rich over‑the‑air updates and software‑driven performance features.