Compare the2022 Ford Shelby GT500VS 2022 Acura NSX

The Ford Shelby GT500 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The NSX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Shelby GT500’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The NSX doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Shelby GT500 and the NSX 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, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

There are over 11 times as many Ford dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Shelby GT500’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 14th in initial quality. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 26th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 6 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 160 more horsepower (760 vs. 600) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 492) than the NSX’s 3.5 turbo V6 hybrid.

For better stopping power the Shelby GT500’s brake rotors are larger than those on the NSX:

The Shelby GT500 stops shorter than the NSX:

For better traction, the Shelby GT500 has larger tires than the NSX (F:305/30R20 & R:315/30R20 vs. F:245/35R19 & R:305/30R20).

The Shelby GT500’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NSX’s standard 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Shelby GT500 has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch front wheels are available on the NSX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Shelby GT500’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the NSX (107.1 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

The Shelby GT500’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56.6% to 43.4%) than the NSX’s (42% to 58%). This gives the Shelby GT500 more stable handling and braking.

The Shelby GT500 handles at 1.13 G’s, while the NSX pulls only 1.06 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Shelby GT500 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the NSX can only carry 2.

The Shelby GT500 has 38.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NSX (82.8 vs. 44).

The Shelby GT500 has 2.2 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more front hip room than the NSX.

The Shelby GT500 has a much larger trunk than the NSX (13.5 vs. 3.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Shelby GT500 easier. The Shelby GT500’s trunk lift-over height is 30 inches, while the NSX’s liftover is 35.2 inches.

The Shelby GT500 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The NSX doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the Shelby GT500, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The NSX doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Shelby GT500’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The NSX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Shelby GT500’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The NSX’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Shelby GT500 has standard extendable sun visors. The NSX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Shelby GT500’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The NSX’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Shelby GT500 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The NSX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.