Compare the2022 Acura NSXVS 2021 Ford Shelby GT500

The NSX’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The NSX has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the NSX and the Shelby GT500 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The NSX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Shelby GT500’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the NSX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Shelby GT500. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Shelby GT500 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Regenerative brakes improve the NSX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the NSX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

A nine-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Acura NSX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Shelby GT500.

All wheel drive, available in the NSX, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Ford Shelby GT500 is not available with all wheel drive.

The NSX offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The NSX stops shorter than the Shelby GT500:

The NSX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the NSX is 1.8 inches wider in the front and .2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Shelby GT500.

The NSX handles at 1.03 G’s, while the Shelby GT500 pulls only 1.01 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The NSX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Shelby GT500 (23.2 seconds @ .92 average G’s vs. 24.1 seconds @ .85 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the NSX’s turning circle is 4.1 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500’s (39.7 feet vs. 43.8 feet). The NSX’s turning circle is 4.4 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500 Track Package’s (39.7 feet vs. 44.1 feet).

The Acura NSX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Ford Shelby GT500.

The NSX is 11 inches shorter than the Shelby GT500, making the NSX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the NSX has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Shelby GT500 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The NSX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The NSX has .7 inches more front headroom and 1.4 inches more front shoulder room than the Shelby GT500.

With its coupe body style and remote trunk release lockout, the NSX offers cargo security. The Shelby GT500’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 34% lower rating, Ford is ranked 25th.

The NSX’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Ford does not offer a locking feature on the Shelby GT500’s standard power windows.

If the windows are left open on the NSX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Shelby GT500 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The NSX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The NSX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Shelby GT500’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the NSX detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The NSX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Shelby GT500.

When the NSX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Shelby GT500’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The NSX was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2017. The Shelby GT500 has never been an “All Star.”