2020 Acura NSX
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 2 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $138,600–$185,648 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2020 Acura NSX at 8.0/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sports. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 9.3/10, while Value at 6.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.9/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.1/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 9.3/10. The Acura NSX delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. The cabin tech earns 8.7/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $138,600–$185,648, 17 MPG, seating 2, the Acura NSX sits in the luxury tier of the sports market. The value score of 6.4/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2020 Acura NSX is a solid, well-rounded sports that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is value — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Acura NSX ranks #68 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 79% of the segment. Its 8.0/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $138,600 starting price is about 201% above the segment's median of $46,090.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$15,440 ($3,088/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Acura NSX scores 8.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 8.0 — and starts roughly $14,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9.4/10 | $169,500 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.2/10 | $148,050 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.1/10 | $143,325 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 8.0/10 | $138,600 | |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $133,875 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.0/10 | $129,150 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 8.0/10 | $124,425 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 18/12/2023 · 23V858000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda… |
|---|
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2020 Acura NSX that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2020 Acura NSX's reliability 7.9/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 8.0/10 overall, ranking #68 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 79% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2020 Acura NSX starts at $138,600 and ranges up to $185,648 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest NSX years we've rated are 2020 (8.0/10), 2018 (8.0/10), 2017 (8.0/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (9.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
The documented issues for the 2020 Acura NSX are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Fuel system, gasoline (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Other sportss at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Acura models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.