The 2026 Acura RSX is set to return, though it will make its public debut in front of the well-heeled crowds at Monterey Car Week. We got an earlier peek at the prototype. It’s no longer the Integra placeholder you remember. Now, it’s going full electric and fully SUV. Will that be an issue for the more vocal fans of the brand, or is this a logical move towards something that will actually sell?
First things first, if you say you’re an RSX fan and you’re referring to the coupe that was offered between 2002 and 2006, what you’re really saying is that you’re an Integra fan. And that’s totally fine because the Integra has been a great vehicle across multiple generations. But if you’re getting upset that this new electric SUV is called the RSX, I’d counter that you could chill a little bit.
The RSX name was used for four years on the DC5 Integra. It’s not the same as Ford slapping the Mustang name on the Mach-E. Here, Acura is repurposing a name that wasn’t necessary in the first place. The RSX should have just been called an Integra, but it got caught up in Acura’s desire to get rid of real names in favor of alphanumeric. Okay, name-related rant over. Let’s see what the new RSX is going to be all about.
Style-wise, the RSX mixes prototype styling elements with close to real-world ready lines. This thing is very nearly what I’d expect to see on dealer lots. Perhaps some of the sharpest creases, largest vents, and crisp styling lines could be pulled back a little more, but this very well could be the ready-to-go version too. And it looks good, but it’s still clearly an Acura, which is nice to see—it lands with familiar yet fresh design language.
At the corners, you see a set of 21-inch wheels. I could see the production version offering those on whatever the top-spec model is, while a lower-tier model could have 90s. I like the flow of the shoulder line that also helps highlight the punched-out fenders. And I also like the vents both fore and aft of the front wheels. I hope Acura doesn’t pull away from the chicane daytime running lights. And I like the full-width treatment out back.
I also like keeping the caliper badge on the nose, but going with the subtle text treatment out back. We can’t see the interior yet, so I’ll have to wait to give some thoughts on that space, but I think we can bet on a Mark Levinson sound system, some of the best seats in the business, and a cabin that is just understated enough with touches of luxury splashed around.
The RSX will be the first model on the Honda-developed EV platform. It’s also the first EV produced at Honda’s EV hub in Ohio, which can handle EV, hybrid, and combustion-powered vehicles on the same lines. Acura is also being quiet on the potential powertrain specs.
I do know, however, that Brembo brakes will be standard kit. The suspension is tuned for sportier driving dynamics, and it will feature a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, perhaps an EV evolution of SH-AWD.
Even the Acura RSX prototype will be shown to the public at The Quail event at Monterey Car Week. The wraps will be pulled back on August 15th, but here’s a look at the Propulsion Yellow Pearl prototype today. Hopefully, it’s an 800-volt system. Hopefully, it’s not priced too high, and hopefully there’s a Type S version, too.
