The Original MSRP: Where the NSX Type S Started

When Acura launched the 2022 NSX Type S as the final iteration of the third-generation NSX, it commanded a base MSRP of $171,495. This represented a significant increase over the standard NSX, which carried a base MSRP of $157,495 in 2022. The additional $14,000 premium wasn't arbitrary—it reflected engineering enhancements, exclusive features, and the car's status as the apex variant of a lineage that began in 2016.

The Type S was available exclusively in 2022, Acura's final year of NSX production before shifting focus to electrified vehicles. This single model year availability dramatically impacts its collectibility today. Unlike the standard NSX, which accumulated roughly 5,000 units over six years (2017-2022), the Type S was intentionally constrained to just 350 units globally, with North America receiving 300 examples. For comparison, the original NSX (1990-2005) produced approximately 24,000 units. The Type S was never going to be plentiful.

Destination charges added approximately $1,050, bringing the true out-the-door cost to approximately $172,545 before dealer fees, taxes, and any optional upgrades. Buyers who ordered additional paint, wheel finishes, or interior customizations could push the final price closer to $180,000 at delivery.

Current Secondary Market Pricing: What the NSX Type S Actually Costs Today

As we move through 2026, the NSX Type S occupies an increasingly interesting position in the exotic car market. Used examples trade in the $185,000 to $250,000+ range, depending on mileage, color, condition, and specification. This represents appreciation from the original MSRP in just a few years—a rarity in the supercar segment.

The spread is significant because several factors dramatically influence NSX Type S values. Low-mileage examples (under 5,000 miles) in desirable colors command premiums reaching $240,000-$260,000. These cars represent genuine investments—garage queens that have been carefully preserved by collectors who immediately recognized the Type S's eventual significance. Mid-range examples with 8,000-15,000 miles typically settle in the $200,000-$225,000 range, representing achievable ownership opportunities for serious buyers. Higher-mileage specimens, particularly those approaching or exceeding 25,000 miles, can be found near the $185,000-$200,000 floor, though even these remain above original MSRP.

This pricing dynamic reveals something critical: the NSX Type S has already begun appreciating. In a market where most supercars depreciate consistently, the Type S is bucking the trend. Several factors explain this:

  • Production scarcity: 300 units for the entire U.S. market is fundamentally different from conventional supercar production runs. For reference, Porsche produces roughly 10,000 911 Turbos annually. The NSX Type S allocation represents months of production, not years.
  • Final model year significance: 2022 NSX Type S examples are the last of their kind. The NSX nameplate is dead. Acura has moved entirely to traditional engines and hybrid systems, not hybrid supercars.
  • Hybrid supercar rarity before the trend: The NSX pioneered hybrid supercar technology when the segment barely existed. Now that every major manufacturer is developing hybrid supercars, the original NSX—and especially the Type S—have historical value that grows with each passing year.

The Rarity Factor: Why Numbers Matter More Than You Think

To understand NSX Type S pricing, you must understand its production constraints. Acura manufactured exactly 350 NSX Type S units worldwide. The United States received 300 examples. Japan received roughly 30. Europe received approximately 20. This wasn't a supply chain limitation—it was a strategic decision to ensure the Type S remained exclusive and desirable.

Compare this to competitors in the rough price range. Ferrari produced approximately 10,000 units annually across all models in 2022. Lamborghini produced roughly 8,000 units. McLaren manufactured around 3,500 vehicles. The NSX Type S, at 350 units, is more than 28 times rarer than McLaren's combined annual output and incomparably scarcer than what any other luxury brand produced that year.

The implication is profound for future value. With only 300 U.S. examples in existence and a guaranteed zero future production, the potential maximum supply of NSX Type S units is fixed forever. Some will be lost to accidents, natural disasters, or depreciation abandonment. Some will be exported to other markets. The true available inventory shrinks with each passing year. This supply inelasticity is the foundation of the Type S's emerging collectibility.

Timeframe 2022 MSRP Current Used Range Price Change
Original MSRP $171,495 — Baseline
Current Low (high mileage) — $185,000 +7.9%
Current Mid-Range — $210,000 +22.4%
Current High (low mileage, premium specs) — $250,000+ +45.8%+

Standard NSX Comparison: The Type S Premium Explained

Before diving into what makes the Type S special, it's worth understanding the standard NSX's pricing trajectory. The standard NSX debuted in 2016 with an MSRP of $156,000. By its final 2022 model year, it carried a base MSRP of $157,495 despite six years of production. Acura kept pricing remarkably stable, a testament to the NSX's strong value retention.

Standard NSX examples from 2017-2019 (early production) now trade for $100,000-$130,000 used, representing roughly 30-40% depreciation over 5-7 years. Mid-generation examples (2019-2021) occupy the $115,000-$150,000 range, showing better value retention. Final-year standard NSX models (2022) command $140,000-$160,000 used—nearly holding original MSRP despite being 3-4 years old.

The Type S commands a $25,000-$40,000 premium over equivalent-mileage standard NSX examples, a spread that has actually widened as the Type S's scarcity has become increasingly apparent. This premium reflects the upgrades, exclusivity, and emerging collectibility rather than mere brand prestige.

The Hybrid Powertrain: Engineering That Justified the Price

The 2022 NSX Type S employed a sophisticated hybrid powertrain that delivered 600 horsepower combined—27 horses more than the standard NSX's 573 hp. The system combined a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with three electric motors (two front-mounted for torque vectoring, one rear-mounted integrated with the transmission) for an integrated performance package that was genuinely ahead of its time.

In 2022, the idea of a hybrid supercar was still novel. The Ferrari SF90 (2019 launch) was hybrid, but it represented an entirely different design philosophy. The Porsche 918 (production ended 2015) was legendary but ancient in technological terms. The NSX Type S represented modern hybrid supercar engineering, not the future of the segment but the mature expression of Acura's bold 2016 vision.

The Type S variant specifically benefited from upgraded turbochargers with improved response characteristics, a stiffer chassis with enhanced damping, and carbon fiber body panels that reduced curb weight relative to the standard NSX. The result was a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds and a quarter-mile in 10.4 seconds—genuinely quick, if not matching pure-combustion competitors in raw acceleration.

What the Type S offered instead was sophistication. The hybrid system provided instantly available torque, seamless power delivery, and remarkable handling balance. In the real world, on real roads where supercars spend 99% of their time, the NSX Type S was—and is—remarkable.

Annual Ownership Costs: Understanding the Full Financial Picture

The purchase price tells only part of the NSX Type S story. Ownership costs matter enormously, particularly when evaluating whether the car makes financial sense as an investment or lifestyle purchase.

Expense Category Annual Cost Range Notes
Insurance $3,000–$6,000 Varies by age, location, driving record, coverage
Routine Maintenance $2,000–$5,000 Oil changes, brake fluid, coolant, tire pressure monitoring
Hybrid System Service $1,500–$3,000 Battery management, motor diagnostics, inverter inspection
Fuel $2,500–$4,000 18-22 mpg combined; premium fuel required
Tires (amortized) $1,200–$2,000 Michelin Pilot Sport tires every 15K-20K miles
Registration & Taxes $800–$2,500 Varies significantly by state and county
Total Annual Cost $11,000–$22,500 Excludes major repairs or suspension work

The NSX Type S's hybrid system is more reliable than high-strung naturally aspirated or turbocharged alternatives, but it still requires specialized knowledge. Acura dealer service runs $180-$250 per hour, typically necessary for any work on the hybrid components. Fortunately, the NSX has proven to be reliable enough that major expenses are rare on well-maintained examples.

What matters most: budget $12,000-$23,000 annually for ownership, and don't skip any maintenance. A $500 diagnostic today prevents a $5,000 failure tomorrow.

Competitive Positioning: NSX Type S vs. Similar Hybrid Supercars

Comparing the NSX Type S to direct competitors reveals its unique market positioning. In 2022, the landscape of hybrid supercars was remarkably thin—intentionally so, as many manufacturers had abandoned the category to pursue electric or turbocharged solutions.

Vehicle Type Horsepower 2022 MSRP Current Used (mid-range)
Acura NSX Type S Twin-Turbo Hybrid 600 hp $171,495 $210,000
McLaren Artura Twin-Turbo Hybrid 680 hp $225,000 $235,000–$280,000
Ferrari Roma Twin-Turbo NA 611 hp $222,100 $240,000–$290,000
Porsche 911 Turbo S Twin-Turbo NA 640 hp $189,610 $195,000–$245,000

The NSX Type S occupies a fascinating middle ground. It costs significantly less than the McLaren Artura at purchase and trades below it today despite being just as rare. It competes on price with the Porsche 911 Turbo S while offering a completely different driving experience—hybrid technology rather than traditional turbocharged combustion. It undercuts the Ferrari Roma significantly, though the Prancing Horse badge commands premium valuations.

For buyers seeking hybrid supercar technology specifically, the NSX Type S is now the only realistic option in the used market under $220,000. The early examples of the McLaren Artura command prices 20-30% higher. This price-to-rarity ratio is increasingly attractive to sophisticated collectors.

Investment Potential: Will the NSX Type S Appreciate Further?

The question every buyer asks: will the NSX Type S continue to appreciate, or has it peaked? The evidence suggests appreciation will continue, though perhaps at a slower rate than we've seen already.

Consider the mathematical reality. Three hundred NSX Type S units exist in North America. At current sales data, approximately 15-20 trade hands monthly across the entire country. That's roughly 6-8% annual turnover, meaning a given car might trade only once every 12-15 years in the secondary market. This low turnover prevents prices from being truly discovered in an efficient marketplace. A car that might be worth $220,000 today might trade for $240,000 in two years simply because the seller held it for longer than average and Acura hasn't made another supercar.

Historical precedent supports continued appreciation. The original NSX (1990-2005) produced 24,000 units. Even accounting for scrap and export, over 15,000 examples still exist. Early NSX examples (1991-1995) now trade for $60,000-$100,000—prices that would have seemed impossible in 2010. The third-generation NSX, with only 5,000 units produced, is already commanding 20-40% premiums over original MSRP for mid-mileage examples.

The Type S, at 300 units in North America, occupies a scarcity tier that demands attention. Add to this the reality that the NSX nameplate is dead—Acura will never produce another NSX—and you have conditions that support long-term value.

The NSX Type S is not an investment vehicle in the traditional sense. But if you buy one to drive it, enjoy it, and maintain it properly, the odds of losing money are remarkably low. That's a luxury in the supercar segment.

The NSX's Historic Position: Pioneer of Hybrid Supercar Technology

To fully appreciate what the NSX Type S costs and why, you must understand its historical significance. In 2016, when Acura reintroduced the NSX as a hybrid supercar, it was genuinely radical. The Porsche 918 was already ancient (ending production in 2015). The Ferrari LaFerrari was an expensive art piece ($1.4M+). The McLaren P1 was legendary but history.

Acura positioned the NSX as the accessible hybrid supercar—proof that sophisticated hybrid technology could deliver genuine performance at a supercar price point that mere mortals might realistically access. This was controversial. Purists wanted naturally aspirated power. Performance enthusiasts questioned whether a hybrid could ever be as thrilling as combustion-only.

Four years of development, 5,000+ standard NSXs, and countless real-world miles proved the critics wrong. The NSX wasn't a hybrid that happened to be a supercar—it was a supercar engineered from the ground up as a hybrid. This distinction matters profoundly, and it's why the NSX occupies such a unique niche in automotive history today.

The Type S, as the final evolution, represents the mature expression of this technology. Everything Acura learned building 5,000 standard NSXs went into the 350 Type S examples. It's the best version of a bold concept.

How Color and Specification Impact Value

NSX Type S pricing varies dramatically based on specification, and color is the most significant factor. The standard NSX offered colors ranging from whites and blacks to more distinctive hues. The Type S featured Acura's complete palette, but collector interest has concentrated heavily on specific colors.

Berlina Black and Pearl White Multi-Coat examples are the most common and represent the market baseline—$185,000-$215,000 depending on mileage. Thermal Orange Metallic, Indy Yellow Pearl, and Berlina Black with specific interior combinations command premiums of 8-15% over comparable baseline examples. These colors, while distinctive, weren't universally ordered.

Rarity of specific color combinations matters enormously. A Thermal Orange Metallic Type S with black interior might be unique in its market. Such cars have sold for 20%+ premiums over neutral-colored equivalents. The lesson: when choosing an NSX Type S, don't prioritize the common safe colors. Choose the color that would be produced in lower volume. In five years, that decision will affect resale value.

Smart Buying Strategies: How to Approach the NSX Type S Market

If you're considering an NSX Type S purchase, approach it strategically. First, understand that you're not buying a bargain. Mid-range examples command near-original MSRP. You're buying rarity, reliability, and a genuine hedge against depreciation—not a performance bargain versus contemporary competitors.

Second, prioritize condition and documentation over mileage. A 12,000-mile example with full Acura service records and no incidents is more valuable than a 5,000-mile example with unknown service history. NSXs are hardy cars, but deferred maintenance on hybrid systems costs thousands to diagnose and resolve.

Third, search broadly. NSX Type S examples exist across major markets (California, Florida, Texas), and pricing varies by region. A car that's $220,000 in Los Angeles might be $205,000 in Phoenix. Automonitor sources rare NSX Type S examples from verified dealers nationwide, helping buyers access better pricing and verified service history than regional-only searches provide.

Fourth, get a pre-purchase inspection from someone familiar with hybrid supercars. The NSX's hybrid system is reliable but complex. A $1,000 inspection can identify $15,000-$30,000 in potential future repairs.

Find a Verified NSX Type S

Automonitor connects you with certified rare car dealers who specialize in hybrid supercars. Every NSX Type S listing includes verified service history and pre-purchase inspection documentation.

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Financing Considerations

NSX Type S financing operates differently than conventional auto lending. Standard banks and credit unions often require special approval for exotic cars or refuse them entirely. Exotic car lenders like JJ Best and Woodside Credit understand supercar collateral and offer specialized terms.

Expect these realities: 20-30% down payment required, interest rates between 5.5-9% depending on your credit profile and the car's age, and loan terms typically 60-72 months. A $210,000 NSX Type S with $50,000 down financed at 7% over 72 months costs roughly $2,380/month—manageable for serious buyers but substantial when combined with insurance ($350-500/month) and maintenance ($850-1,900/month).

The financial picture: to own an NSX Type S comfortably, budget $4,000-$5,000 monthly for financing, insurance, and maintenance combined. Total cost of ownership is $48,000-$60,000 annually. This needs to fit comfortably within your budget without straining other financial priorities.

The Final Word: Is the NSX Type S Worth the Price?

The 2022 Acura NSX Type S carries a used market price of $185,000-$250,000+ in 2026—essentially at or above its original $171,495 MSRP when adjusted for market conditions and time. This is extraordinary for any supercar, let alone one that's four years old.

Is it worth that price? The answer depends on what you value. If you seek raw performance, the Porsche 911 Turbo S delivers more power for less money. If you want badge prestige, the Ferrari Roma carries the prancing horse regardless of cost. If you prioritize driving experience and don't mind hybrid technology, the NSX Type S is arguably the most rewarding car in its price range.

What makes the Type S genuinely compelling is the convergence of factors: genuine rarity (300 U.S. units), final model year significance, proven hybrid reliability, sophisticated engineering, and emerging collectibility. In five years, when Acura's entry into hybrid supercar technology is a decade old and the original NSX is three decades past, the Type S will be viewed as a pivotal moment in automotive history.

Budget for the full cost of ownership. Expect insurance and maintenance to consume $8,000-$15,000 annually. Drive it—don't garage it hoping for appreciation. Maintain it religiously. And understand that while the NSX Type S probably won't make you money, it'll very likely preserve it better than nearly any supercar alternative at its price.

That combination of rarity, reliability, and value stability makes the NSX Type S one of the most rational supercar purchases available in 2026. The price reflects not weakness but the market's growing recognition of something genuinely special.