The Acura RSX was a nifty little coupe, wasn’t it? Sleek looks, punchy K-series power, and lift-back practicality—Acura RSX made for a great ride while still bringing plenty of smiles. Even in 2025, it’s worth picking one up if you find a good one. However, if you’ve saved a search for it, you might want to set up a few extra filters because the RSX nameplate is making a comeback later this year. But this time, it’s attached to an electric coupe-crossover. Wait, where’s that buzz coming from?
Putting the name aside for a moment, this electric crossover actually seems pretty interesting. Unlike the ZDX, this upcoming electric crossover will ride on a platform developed by Honda, built in Ohio, and arriving very soon. In fact, Acura RSX’ll be the first EV rolling out of that facility, beating the Afeela 1 and Honda 0 Saloon to the punch. Yet, it’s set to run on the same software as Honda’s wildly styled wedge-shaped sedan. What’s more, Acura RSX looks refreshingly conventional—and sticking to the basics is often a good thing.
Why Acura?
Why, Acura? I get that the RSX coupe from the 2000s may not have been as adored as the Integra, but it’s still a car that’s fondly remembered. Acura RSX has a massive grassroots enthusiast community dedicated to tweaking, tuning, and simply enjoying it. That’s great for the brand’s legacy.
But, as any car enthusiast who’s been online over the past few years will tell you, rebooting sport compact nameplates as electric crossovers is already a sore spot. Acura RSX’s a frustrating reminder of the direction the industry is heading, something that many fans feel is a slap in the face. Honestly, I can already see the flood of angry comments rolling in.
Naming the Acura RSX Electric Crossover Is a Risky Move
Now, naming an electric crossover after a performance car wasn’t a big issue for Ford with the Mustang Mach-E because the Mustang has tons of brand equity. However, the Acura RSX doesn’t hold the same place in public consciousness. It’s neither an archetype nor a major mainstream symbol of identity. Most people who remember it are car enthusiasts, whereas the Mustang is a part of American history.
Think of it this way: when Pepsi brought back Crystal Pepsi, Acura RSX generated tons of hype. But re-launching, say, Clearly Canadian wouldn’t create the same level of recognition.
Photo credits: Acura, Ford talks about about Acura RSX
I get it—branding is tough. Creating recognition for a new name is challenging, and leveraging legacy is a pretty common strategy. But it’s something that needs to be done with care.
Will naming an electric crossover the Acura RSX get people talking about it? Absolutely. But not all publicity is good publicity. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how this plays out, won’t we?
Why a New Name Could Honor the Brand’s Legacy?
If not RSX, what else would you call this electric crossover? An RLX? A VDX? An SLX? Forget it. A better naming strategy is right in front of Acura’s nose. It would align with the sporty vehicles in the lineup and lean on the brand’s heritage.
Right now, the only other fastback product in Acura’s range—the Integra—uses an original name. Names are great! As long as they’re distinct, they’re usually more memorable than alphanumeric designations. And Acura has had some fantastic model names in its past.
Since it’s 2025, and crossovers have overtaken sedans as the dominant body style in the luxury market, why not dig into Acura’s heritage for another name that conveys speed and power? How about calling this crossover the Acura Vigor?
The Acura Vigor
The original Vigor was the predecessor to the TL, which eventually evolved into the TLX. This quirky five-cylinder sedan was a wonderfully sporty entry in the premium sedan space. It leaned heavily on engineering, featured frameless window hardtop styling, and had a more engaging character than the Lexus ES to set itself apart.
