1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 Review and Performance Comparison

Honda NSX Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 is a powered by a Petrol V 6. This variant of the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.

This particular Honda NSX has a 3179cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Honda Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 6's include the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The NSX shares its Petrol V 6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2024 Maserati GT2 Stradale.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the NSX's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1402 kgs (3090 lbs) places the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Ferrari 296 3.0 V6 Speciale and the excellent 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10, give or take 50kg.

The Honda NSX shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC Automatic (300 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 3179cc 24 valve, V 6 engine produces around 290 bhp (216 kW) @ 7100 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC Automatic (300 bhp) and also the 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (296 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 6 throws out 224 lb-ft (303.7 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1997 Honda NSX in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2024 Mercedes S Class 580 4MATIC (231.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Honda NSX.

The Honda NSX has a power to weight ratio of 206.8 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1997 NSX T 3.2 V6 means you're competing with the 2024 Mercedes S Class 580 4MATIC (231.7 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2003 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 (231.4 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 generates around 159.7 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (184.5 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 1974 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 1 5.3L V8 (184.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 can accelerate 0–60mph in 5.00 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 5.2 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 include the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs).

The V 6 engine of the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2025 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (5.10 secs) and the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC Automatic (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 and the Mercedes EQE SUV 43 4MATIC

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1997 Honda NSX can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.77 secs with a trap speed around 98.9 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Mercedes EQE SUV 43 4MATIC (13.78 seconds @ 98.9 mph) and a close race between the BMW Alpina B10 V8S (13.78 seconds @ 98.8 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1997 version of the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 has a maximum speed of 168mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 NSX equals the TVR Griffith 4.3 (167 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 then there's the slightly slower the TVR Griffith 4.3 (167 mph) or how about the impressive Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4 V8 392 (167 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1997 NSX Rivals List.
• 1997 NSX: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Honda
• Compare the 1997 Honda NSX