The famous RSX name is coming back for 2026, but this isn’t the sporty two-door coupe that fans loved in the early 2000s. The 2026 Acura RSX, on the other hand, is a sleek, all-electric compact SUV. This is a big step forward for Acura’s electrification journey. The RSX is built on Honda’s new in-house EV platform and has a lot of new technology. It promises to combine performance, style, and sustainability in a way that honors its past while looking to the future. We know a lot about this new model that we’re excited about.
The RSX Name Starts a New Chapter
The Acura RSX, which was made from 2002 to 2006, was a sporty small coupe that took the place of the popular Integra in North America. Young drivers and tuners loved it because it handled well, had engines that revved high, and was cheap. But the 2026 RSX goes in a different direction. Acura has turned it into a high-end electric SUV with a fastback shape like a coupe. It will compete in the growing compact luxury EV market against the Tesla Model Y, Volvo EX30, and Kia EV3.
Some fans may be upset that Acura is going from a light coupe to a crossover, but the company is making the change because that’s what people want these days, when SUVs are the most popular cars. The name RSX brings back memories, but the new model is meant to bring the spirit of “Precision Crafted Performance” to life in an electric form. Mike Langel, Acura’s assistant vice president of national sales, said that the RSX’s “coupe-like silhouette” pays homage to its sporty predecessor and keeps it a driver-focused car.
Design: Modern, sleek, and fierce
The 2026 Acura RSX is a new look for the Acura Performance EV Concept that was shown off in 2024. The RSX Prototype, which was shown off at Monterey Car Week in August 2025, gives a good idea of what the SUV will look like when it’s ready for sale. It has a bold and dynamic design with a fastback roofline, deeply sculpted side surfaces, and a ducktail-style rear spoiler that pays homage to the second-generation Acura NSX. The front fascia changes Acura’s signature “Diamond Pentagon” grille by adding slim, separated Daytime Running Lights and low-mounted LED headlamps. This gives the car a strong stance. The modern look is finished off with a full-width rear taillight bar and “ACURA” badging in a new font.
The RSX has 21-inch multi-spoke wheels and big Brembo brakes with bright red calipers, which show off its performance. The flush door handles and angled air vents on the doors and rear bumper make it more aerodynamic. The prototype had cameras on the sides, but U.S. law says that the production model will probably have regular side mirrors. The RSX is expected to be a little smaller than the Acura ZDX, but it will be closer in size to the gas-powered RDX. It will have a longer wheelbase, which will give passengers more room even though the roofline is very steep.
Performance and Powertrain: Electrifying Dynamics
The 2026 RSX will come with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system as standard, which will give it responsive power and torque vectoring for sharp handling. Acura hasn’t revealed all the details about the car’s performance yet. The SUV will have a sport-tuned double-wishbone front suspension and a low center of gravity, which will make it fun to drive and agile, just like Acura is known for. Brembo brakes give you more stopping power, and a possible Type S variant could make the performance even better. Some sources say that high-end trims could go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds or less.
The RSX is built on Honda’s new 0 Series EV platform, which is very different from the GM Ultium platform that the Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue use. Honda can control the whole EV stack—battery, motors, and software—thanks to this in-house architecture. This promises better integration and optimization. We don’t know how big the battery is or how far it can go, but estimates say it can go about 300 to 350 miles, which is about the same as the ZDX’s 304 to 313 miles. The RSX will have a NACS (SAE J3400) charging port on the front fender on the driver’s side. This will make it work with both Tesla’s Supercharger network and the IONNA charging network, which is a partnership between several car companies. The RSX will also be able to charge devices in both directions, so it can power things outside or even serve as backup power for your home.
The Software-Defined Future and ASIMO OS
Honda’s ASIMO OS, a next-generation operating system named after the company’s famous humanoid robot, will be available for the first time in the 2026 RSX. ASIMO OS was shown off at CES 2025. It combines infotainment, driver assistance, and electronic control units into a single platform that can be updated. The system uses machine learning to learn about the driver’s preferences, like what music they like and how they drive, so it can give them a unique experience. The RSX will be Acura’s first “software-defined vehicle” because it will get over-the-air (OTA) updates that add new features and make it better.
The RSX is likely to come with all of Acura’s driver-assistance features, which could include a Level 3 hands-free, eyes-off driving system, which would be a big step forward for the brand. Standard safety features will probably include parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. There isn’t much information available about the inside or the size of the infotainment screen, but you can expect high-end features like leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a high-performance audio system, which is in line with Acura’s luxury brand.
Made in America: Production and Pricing
The Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio will make the 2026 RSX, which will be the first electric vehicle made at Honda’s EV Hub. It will share the production line with the Acura Integra. Honda’s plan to build electric vehicles, hybrids, and internal combustion vehicles on the same lines with a mix of parts from the US and other countries is shown by this flexible manufacturing facility. Production will start in late 2025, and sales will start in early 2026.
We don’t know how much the RSX will cost yet, but estimates say it will start at between $40,000 and $50,000. This puts it below the ZDX ($64,500) and closer to the gas-powered RDX ($46,050). A Type S model with a lot of power could raise the price even more, maybe to $60,000. People will be able to pre-order their RSX in the fourth quarter of 2025, before it officially comes out.
The Bigger Picture: Acura’s Electric Future
The 2026 RSX is more than just a new model; it’s a key part of Honda’s plans to make more electric vehicles. The RSX is different from the ZDX because it uses Honda’s own EV development instead of GM’s Ultium platform. This sets the stage for the 0 Series models, such as the Honda 0 Saloon and 0 SUV. The RSX wants to show that electric cars can be both useful and fun to drive. It has a sporty look, cutting-edge technology, and a focus on performance.
Some people might think that the RSX’s change from a sports car to an SUV is a departure from its roots, but Acura’s return of the Integra as a sporty hatchback with a Type S variant shows that the brand is still focused on performance. The RSX’s coupe-like design and driver-focused features are meant to capture the spirit of the original while also meeting the needs of today’s market. One Reddit user in the r/electricvehicles community said, “The RSX was a US-only name, and the Integra is already back as something close to what it was,” which suggests that using the RSX name for a crossover makes sense in the current market.
Conclusion: Is this a good successor?
The 2026 Acura RSX is going to be a big deal in the high-end EV SUV market because of its eye-catching design, cutting-edge technology, and performance-focused engineering. It may not be the two-door coupe of the past, but it still carries on Acura’s tradition of combining luxury and excitement in a package that works for 2026. As production picks up and more information comes out, the RSX is looking like a great choice for drivers who want a stylish, electric car with Acura’s signature style.
