2025 Acura RSX Concept previews a homegrown Acura EV SUV
No sooner had we wrapped up the story of the 2012 NSX Roadster Concept’s return to Monterey than Acura added another surprise. Enter the 2025 Acura RSX Concept—formally badged as the RSX Prototype—an all-electric, performance-focused SUV that previews a production model slated for the second half of 2026.
The big swing for Acura’s EV plan
Set to launch in 2026, the Acura RSX will mark the brand’s first battery-electric model developed in-house on Honda’s new global EV architecture. Production is planned for Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio, on the Marysville Auto Plant line that also builds the Acura Integra. The line has been retooled for flexibility, capable of assembling internal-combustion, hybrid, and fully electric vehicles side by side with a mix of domestic and imported components. It’s a pragmatic strategy—scaling EV output without the cost or isolation of a dedicated factory.
Design that leans coupe without hiding the SUV
Acura’s design team leans hard into stance and proportion with the RSX Concept. The SUV carries a fastback silhouette with a coupe-like roofline, sculpted body sides, and flush-mounted door handles. A sharp ducktail spoiler keeps the rear tidy instead of bulky, while flared arches frame 21-inch multi-spoke wheels that showcase red Brembo calipers up front. The long wheelbase and short overhangs give it the planted, modern posture Acura has been chasing.
At the nose, the familiar Diamond Pentagon theme evolves into something more technical: slim DRLs sit high, with the primary LED headlamps recessed lower. The rear adopts a full-width light bar—an NSX-inspired touch—backed by a new squared-off “ACURA” wordmark across the tailgate. Finished in a striking “Propulsion Yellow Pearl,” the concept makes a bold statement. Still, compromises are evident: the sloping roofline likely cuts into rear headroom, while those massive 21s aren’t friendly to ride comfort or range.
Hardware with real performance intent
According to Acura, the production RSX will launch with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, a sport-tuned double-wishbone front suspension, Brembo brakes, and a low-mounted battery pack for a correspondingly low center of gravity. It’s essentially the Precision Crafted Performance ethos translated into EV form. Beyond hardware, Acura is also promising a notable upgrade in driver-assist technology compared to its current lineup, signaling that the RSX will serve as both a performance flagship and a tech showcase.
Software takes center stage with ASIMO OS
The 2025 Acura RSX Concept is as much about software as it is about sheetmetal. The production model will debut Acura’s new operating system—ASIMO OS—developed by Honda and first previewed at CES 2025. The platform unifies control over driver-assistance and automated driving systems, infotainment, and other vehicle domains, while supporting app-like experiences and over-the-air updates for future features.
Machine learning sits at the heart of the pitch. ASIMO OS is designed to recognize and adapt to driver preferences—whether that means playlists, seat positions, or even driving style—tailoring the interface and responses accordingly. The promise is compelling, but execution will be critical. In the software-defined car era, success depends on speed, intuitiveness, and trust. Car operating systems often aspire to behave like smartphones, yet lag behind them; Acura will need to prove ASIMO OS can stay quick and seamless in daily use.
Energy beyond the drive
Acura also intends for the RSX to serve as a mobile power source. The SUV will support power export, allowing owners to run tools, appliances, or even provide backup energy for a home. In practice, that usually requires additional hardware and the right electrical setup, but the idea makes sense: when the vehicle isn’t in motion, its large battery can double as a practical energy reserve.
Where and when to see it
The Acura RSX Prototype will take center stage at Monterey Car Week, starting with The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, on Friday, August 15, where Acura has a press event scheduled for 10:36 a.m. PT. Two days later, it moves to the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 17. The message is clear: Acura wants enthusiasts to see—and remember—this bold yellow statement piece.
The numbers Acura hasn’t shared yet
For now, Acura is keeping the hard numbers to itself. Battery capacity, EPA range, DC fast-charging rate, towing ability, and exterior dimensions remain undisclosed. Output figures are equally absent—no horsepower or torque ratings, no 0–60 mph estimate, no top speed. Pricing and trim strategy are also still to come. Until those details surface, the 2026 RSX remains more of a design and intent statement than a spec sheet competitor. Where it ultimately lands in the crowded luxury EV SUV field will depend on how those numbers stack up.
Context inside the lineup
The RSX Prototype follows last year’s Acura Performance EV Concept, carrying forward several of its themes while borrowing visual cues from icons like the second-generation NSX. Just as significant is where the production RSX will be built: on the same Marysville, Ohio line as the Acura Integra. It’s a clear example of Honda’s flexible manufacturing strategy in action, allowing the brand to scale electrification without siloed, single-purpose facilities.
A sharper edge to Acura’s EV plan
The 2025 Acura RSX Concept doesn’t come across as a placeholder. It’s a clear preview of the production-bound 2026 RSX electric SUV, complete with real chassis hardware, striking sheetmetal, and an ambitious software platform in ASIMO OS. The design choices are bold—the split lighting and coupe-like roofline will spark debate—but they give Acura a sharper identity as it steps into its own EV architecture. What remains are the numbers and the pricing. The ideas and the styling are plenty daring; now the spec sheet and the user experience will need to deliver on that promise.
