Acura RSX Prototype Nears Debut — And No, It’s Still Not a Coupe
Acura is set to debut its new American-built electric vehicle at Monterey Car Week, giving attendees a first look at the sporty crossover.
Acura’s second electric vehicle is on the horizon, positioned as a smaller and more affordable companion to the ZDX. Reviving the long-retired RSX badge—this time on a sharp-edged crossover instead of a sleek two-door coupe—the brand has unveiled the Acura RSX Prototype. Its design closely mirrors last year’s Performance EV concept shown at Monterey Car Week, making it fitting that the Acura RSX Prototype will make its public debut at the same event next week.
Changes from the 2024 concept appear subtle, with the front end still showcasing a pronounced, beak-like extension at the leading edge of the hood—almost a nod to Acura’s divisive “Power Plenum” design language from the late 2000s and early 2010s. The slim, high-mounted LED daytime running lights are now even narrower, while the front bumper corners gain integrated headlight housings and air curtain inlets. A brightened version of the teaser image suggests that the Performance EV concept’s bold hood vents have been smoothed out for the prototype.
Acura’s First In-House Electric Vehicle
Likely serving as a near-production preview—based on Acura’s history with the “Prototype” label—the Acura RSX will be the brand’s first model built on Honda’s new proprietary EV platform. Unlike the ZDX, which uses GM’s Ultium architecture, the RSX will be developed entirely in-house. This shift should allow Acura to fine-tune efficiency and potentially lower costs, giving it a competitive edge in the luxury EV market.
Previewed by Honda’s 0 Saloon and 0 SUV concepts at CES 2025, the new platform consolidates numerous electric and electronic systems into a single ECU, boosting both efficiency and response times. It will also debut Honda’s new ASIMO operating system, which unifies control of advanced driver assistance, infotainment, and other vehicle functions—delivering a smoother, more connected driving experience in the Acura RSX.
The RSX Will Be Built in America
Acura now plans to launch the production RSX in mid-2026—pushed back from earlier expectations of a 2025 debut. Like Honda’s 0 Series EVs, it will be manufactured in Ohio at the brand’s dedicated EV Hub in Marysville. This facility will handle more than final assembly, producing key components such as battery packs and body structures on-site. The Acura RSX will be the first model to roll off the EV Hub’s new assembly line, which it will share with other Marysville-built vehicles, including the gasoline-powered Acura Integra.
The 2024 Acura Performance EV Concept
The Acura RSX Prototype will make its full debut next Thursday or Friday, almost certainly appearing at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. Acura has a track record of unveiling its EVs during Monterey Car Week, a tradition that began with the 2023 Precision EV concept—a near-production preview of the ZDX that hit the market about six months later. This time, the RSX will follow a slightly longer path from prototype to production.
