The Acura NSX is a fun sports car with a hybrid powertrain that lays out an impressive amount of power. But Im not here to talk about the cars performance. One of the cars best features is its cell phone holder. Its time for automakers to face the reality that cell phones are a critical part of most peoples lives, and vehicles need better integration.
The adoption of a dedicated cell phone holder follows tracks alongside automakers slow adaptation of the cupholder. Once a joke of a feature, it took car makers decades to give consumers a spot to hold their hot McDonalds coffee.
In the NSX, the cell phone holder keeps the device accessible and yet out of direct view of the driver. The location is molded into the center console and keeps the device vertically oriented. Its easy to grab the phone and quickly put it back.
Automakers have long treated cell phones as an item only some drivers own. This stance is far from reality, and while its illegal in a lot of places to use a cell phone while driving, many drivers still use their phones for navigation, media, and more. At best, automakers install a recessed catch-all pocket under the radio and behind the center-mounted gear shift.
There are a few reasons for the slow adaptation of the cell phone holder. For one, vehicle development often spans years, while cell phones gain new features and form factors at a much quicker rate. Automakers are faced with predicting how consumer electronics like a cell phone will change and need to design vehicles to work with current devices and devices from five years from now.
The new Acura NSX gets the cell phone holder right. At least by today’s standards. My iPhone 11 Pro (with a case) fits neatly in its intended spot and stayed put during spirited driving. The location in the center armrest works well in this sports car, but I dont think I would like it in a commuter crossover. Its too hard to see for daily tasks like navigation or media playback things secondary in a car like the NSX primarily design for going fast.
[read more]
As for the NSX’s performance, I can only give a brief overview. I only had the car for 72 hours, and Im not comfortable landing on conclusions after driving the vehicle for that short of a time. The acceleration is blistering, and the body dynamics are average. I found the steering odd and inconsistent as sometimes it was heavy and other times nimble. The steering is acceptable for daily driving though it could be problematic on a track I didnt take it to a track.
The engine noise is disappointing. When the vehicle is in its standard driving mode, Sport, it sounds like a Saturn with a rusted-out exhaust. The tones improve when the NSX is placed in Sport+ and Track but is still a bit lacking raw emotion.
Overall, Im not sure about the driving dynamics of the NSX. During my short time with the NSX, I took it on winding backroads and long stretches of highway. And yet I cant land on a conclusion, which, in a way, is a conclusion itself. The NSX is impressive as it should be for $179,000, but does it offer anything extra over a Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi R8, or AMG GT R? In terms of driving dynamics? Im not sure, but it certainly has a great cell phone holder.
The Acura NSX: A supercar with a great cell phone holder
