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Honda NSX

NA2 · First gen 3.21997–2005

Aluminum, mid-engine, Senna-tuned. Japan's supercar.

5 reviewers · 9 videos · 4 press articles

Generations
NA11990–1996NA21997–2005NC12017–2022
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling.

across 5 reviewers

// the categories
// 01

Performance

3.5/55 of 5 reviewersstrong consensus

290 horsepower... but they've made it lighter... weight is everything

positive · Throttle House · ▶ 3:43

this car is way down on power from the other two... it's not like this is getting left behind but it doesn't have the shove of the other two cars

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 15:53

this gearing allows you at peak rpm on the shift to maintain high rpm

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 10:25
// 02

Handling

5.0/55 of 5 reviewersstrong consensus

the feedback through this it writes the storybook of what you're doing with the car as you drive it

positive · Throttle House · ▶ 5:10

this car drives like an absolute dream even after 130 000 miles it is still tremendously stable through corners this chassis was just perfect

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 20:10

the rotation here is subconscious there's nothing that you feel the car is lurching or throwing weight around

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 7:02
// 03

Fun to drive

5.0/55 of 5 reviewersstrong consensus

this is the gearbox that I wish everyone could try... you're going to go oh oh that's what it can be

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 18:21

I feel total control. It has poise it has grace

positive · Throttle House · ▶ 6:18

it is so perfectly balanced fantastic wonderful amazing analog performance car

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 22:37
// 04

Daily drivability

3.5/55 of 5 reviewersconsensus

you could totally mistake it for like an accord absolutely

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 8:39

I have an enormous amount of confidence driving this car even at this mileage level because it's a Honda it's that was what they were going for a super car that you could actually use

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 18:43

the interior in the NSX is smaller than I wanted to be... I cannot sit with my head upright

mixed · EverydayDriver · ▶ 27:47
// 05

Value

4.0/55 of 5 reviewersstrong consensus

I'm not trying to justify the 100 Grand that these cars cost these days

EverydayDriver · ▶ 8:32

it's one of the cars that has actually become it's aged well

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 7:25

these o2005 ones especially but nice early ones too are more expensive than a 348 and deservedly so

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 20:57

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

Doug DeMuro
Posted Jun 8, 2023Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
ShootingCars
Posted Jul 6, 2025Open on YouTube
MotorWeek
Posted Mar 16, 2016Open on YouTube
More Honda NSX reviews
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Head to head
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From the press · 4 articles