2027 Acura RSX - All-electric Coupe-Crossover SUV

The revival of a legendary nameplate in the automotive world is always met with a mixture of excitement and existential dread. When Acura confirmed the return of the RSX name for the 2027 model year, enthusiasts immediately pictured a compact, high-revving coupe successor to the beloved Integra DC5 chassis. What Acura delivered, however, was something entirely different: a high-riding, all-electric, coupe-crossover SUV, positioning itself not as a tribute to the past, but as the aggressive flagship of the brand’s electric future.

The 2027 Acura RSX Prototype, revealed at Monterey Car Week, may wear a familiar badge, but beneath its sloping fastback roofline lies the most significant technological leap the premium brand has made in years. It is the first Acura to ride on Honda’s new, proprietary, in-house developed EV architecture, setting the tone for the company’s entire Zero-series electric lineup. This isn't just a vehicle; it’s a statement that "Precision Crafted Performance" now has a completely new electric definition.

Design: Legacy vs. Lineage

The immediate point of contention—and the one that will dominate forums and comments sections—is the RSX’s body style. It’s an SUV, a fastback crossover, designed to compete directly against vehicles like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Yet, the styling team in California has worked diligently to inject Acura’s DNA into the tall silhouette.

The front fascia is assertive and modern, featuring slim, slit-like daytime running lights that flank an illuminated Acura logo, updating the brand’s familiar "beak" design into a clean, grille-less electric interpretation. The prototype’s stance is widened by complex, pushed-out 21-inch wheels and short overhangs, lending it a muscular, aggressive look that is visually far more stimulating than most of its EV rivals.

The RSX’s profile is defined by the dramatically sloping roofline, a hallmark of the coupe-SUV segment. This fastback design terminates in a sophisticated ducktail spoiler, a subtle nod to performance cars of the past. At the rear, the full-width taillight design is intended to draw lineage from the second-generation NSX, lending a high-end, futuristic signature. While the ride height will undoubtedly alienate purists who fondly recall the RSX Type S’s low-slung athleticism, the exterior design successfully translates Acura’s current language—seen in the Integra and TLX—into a bold electric form factor.

Acura’s choice of the eye-catching "Propulsion Yellow Pearl" for the debut prototype underscores the brand’s intention: this vehicle is meant to stand out and signal the start of a new, electrifying era. It is a bold, controversial aesthetic gamble that seeks to capture new buyers rather than rely solely on nostalgia.

Performance: Re-Engineering Precision

Where the original RSX relied on the naturally aspirated brilliance of VTEC, the 2027 model relies on electric torque and advanced chassis engineering. Acura has confirmed that the RSX will launch exclusively with a powerful dual-motor, all-wheel-drive architecture. While final horsepower and torque figures remain unconfirmed, given its competition and its billing as a performance vehicle, expect output well north of 400 horsepower and instantaneous torque that should deliver 0-60 mph times easily under five seconds.

Crucially, the engineering choices indicate Acura has prioritized dynamics. Standard features include a sport-tuned double wishbone front suspension—a significant, expensive choice usually reserved for high-performance vehicles—and Brembo brakes on all four corners. This commitment to physical, mechanical engagement is refreshing in a segment often dominated by generic electric skateboards. By ensuring a low center of gravity inherent to the EV platform and coupling it with such dedicated suspension architecture, Acura is aiming for a vehicle that doesn’t just accelerate quickly in a straight line, but truly handles with the precision the brand is known for.

The RSX is set to be the first EV produced at the Honda EV Hub in Marysville, Ohio, on the same flexible line as the current Integra. This local manufacturing focus, combined with the Honda-developed platform, underscores the vehicle’s importance as a genuine, in-house effort—a stark contrast to the General Motors partnership that yielded the ZDX. This is Acura’s opportunity to prove it can engineer a class-leading EV from the ground up.

Technology: The Dawn of ASIMO OS

Perhaps the most compelling story behind the 2027 RSX is its debut of the ASIMO OS. Named after Honda’s legendary humanoid robot, this new proprietary operating system marks Acura’s full-scale acceleration into the Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) era.

ASIMO OS is far more than a simple infotainment skin. It is an intelligent software platform designed to integrate all key vehicle systems—from driver-assistance functions to cabin climate control—and, most importantly, learn the individual driver’s preferences and behaviors. Acura promises a truly personalized, seamless, and intuitive experience that evolves over the vehicle’s lifespan via constant over-the-air (OTA) updates. This machine learning capability is intended to anticipate needs, tailoring everything from driving mode suggestions to music choices, taking the concept of personalization well beyond a simple profile login.

The interior, though heavily obscured in prototype imagery, is expected to be a minimalist and premium environment defined by the digital interface. Assume high-quality materials, supportive performance seating, and a driver-focused cockpit featuring large, customizable digital displays powered by the ASIMO OS.

Beyond the cabin, the RSX is also defined by its power management features. It is built with a standard NACS charging port for compatibility with the wider charging network, and boasts impressive Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities. This allows the RSX to serve as a mobile energy storage unit, powering appliances or providing essential home backup power during an outage—a highly practical and marketable feature in the modern EV landscape.

Market Outlook and Final Verdict

With an estimated starting price hovering around $55,000 for the base model, the 2027 Acura RSX places itself directly in the high-volume, competitive premium electric crossover segment. It faces tough, established rivals like the critically acclaimed Tesla Model Y and the stylish Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The RSX’s strength lies in its trifecta of differentiators: the promise of Acura handling (bolstered by the double wishbone suspension and Brembos), the cutting-edge, personalized experience provided by the ASIMO OS, and the assurance of Honda’s renowned build quality, manufactured domestically in Ohio.

The 2027 Acura RSX is a necessary evolution. While it has abandoned the two-door coupe form factor that defined its namesake, it embraces the modern mandate of electrification, technology, and utility. It represents a mature, sophisticated, and aggressively engineered vehicle built to define Acura’s next generation. The RSX of the 2000s offered affordable performance; the RSX of 2027 offers premium, intelligent, all-weather performance. It’s not the car enthusiasts wanted based on the name, but it may very well be the groundbreaking EV the brand and the market actually needs.