(Credit: Honda)
Acura's upcoming EV will be called the "RSX," an homage to a sporty coupe from the early 2000s, but with a lot more tech this time.
It's the brand's second EV and its second time repurposing an old name. The 2024 electric Acura ZDX is named after a 2010 sedan, which is also now out of production.
We expect to get more price, range, and appearance details ahead of the RSX's 2026 launch date. Honda will begin testing the RSX this week, so you may spot one "driving around in a unique camouflage wrap," Honda says. The prototype renderings suggest a futuristic, sporty look.
The Acura RSX will be Honda's first to run on the tech it debuted at CES, the ASIMO operating system and an in-house battery platform. This is a bit of a surprise, especially since the debut focused on the Honda 0 Series EVs with no mention of Acura, but the 0 Series also debuts in 2026 so they are on the same release timeline.
The ASIMO operating system was the big reveal at this year's CES, whereas last year Honda focused on the battery platform. Honda says ASIMO will eventually power a hands-free, eyes-off Level 3 self-driving system and a humanlike voice companion. The battery will charge in 10-15 minutes, though that, too, is likely to come later down the line.
Honda's first EV, the Prologue, runs on a battery built by General Motors. Though that doesn't seem to have hampered sales, Honda has always said it was a temporary solution to quickly enter the EV market while it developed its own platform.
Also notable: The Acura RSX will be the first EV Honda manufactures in its Ohio EV hub.
"The establishment of the Honda EV Hub represents not only the start of EV production but the complete reimagining of our approach to manufacturing that will establish our global standard for EV production," says Mike Fischer, executive chief engineer and leader of the Honda North American BEV Project.
That makes it a likely candidate to qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit. Donald Trump plans to eliminate the credit, but local manufacturing can make EVs more sustainable and create jobs.
