By Deji Osas
Acura is reviving the RSX nameplate, but not as the two-door coupe many remember from the early 2000s. Instead, the brand has unveiled the RSX Prototype, a sleek four-door, coupe-inspired electric crossover set to make its official debut at Monterey Car Week 2025, running through August 17 in California.
This is not just another EV launch for Acura—it’s a major milestone. The RSX will be the first production model built on Honda’s new in-house Zero Series electric platform, marking a departure from the brand’s reliance on General Motors’ Ultium architecture used in the Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue. This homegrown platform is expected to underpin several future Honda and Acura models, offering greater design flexibility, reduced production costs, and tighter integration of the brand’s proprietary technology.
From the teaser images, the RSX Prototype closely resembles last year’s Performance EV Concept, featuring aggressive styling cues such as wide front air intakes, slim LED daytime running lights, and a sculpted front bumper. The driving lights appear integrated into the side openings, while a large black center insert likely conceals sensors for driver-assistance systems. Some concept features, like the Performance EV’s hood scoops, haven’t made the cut—but the absence could hint at practical storage solutions, such as a front trunk.
The prototype also showcases retractable door handles, a sloping roofline, and coupe-like proportions, blending sportiness with crossover utility. While the Monterey display version may not be the final production model, Acura says it will be very close to what customers will see in showrooms.
At the heart of the RSX is Honda’s Asimo operating system, designed to manage everything from infotainment to advanced driver-assistance features, with built-in AI for a more intuitive driving experience. Production will take place at Honda’s upcoming EV hub in Ohio, with sales slated to begin in the second half of 2026.
With its bold styling, cutting-edge tech, and significance as the first Honda-developed EV on the new platform, the Acura RSX could be a game-changer—not just for Acura, but for the competitive electric crossover market currently dominated by the likes of the Tesla Model Y.
