For those familiar with the Acura brand, memories of the first-generation ZDX may evoke a sense of nostalgia or perhaps even frustration, as it failed to resonate with buyers despite its unique design and promising features. Despite being a pioneering effort in the crossover market, the ZDX’s unconventional design made it a bold and innovative vehicle that preceded the similarly avant-garde BMW X6 by just a few years. Perhaps the world wasn’t ready to absorb the futuristic essence of the spacecraft.
While the 2025 Acura ZDX may not boast the same avant-garde appeal as its predecessor, it still marks a significant milestone for the brand: its inaugural all-electric vehicle. But beneath the surface, complexities lurk, challenging our initial perceptions.
The ZDX’s key fob offers an instant indication of its connection to other General Motors vehicles, mirroring those found in the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq. As a direct outcome of being produced at General Motors’ Tennessee facility is the ZDX. What’s the point of calling it an Acura then? What’s really at stake here?
Honda and Acura have invested heavily in developing their own proprietary platforms and battery technology, so they’ve teamed up with General Motors to supply electric vehicles for now, which explains why the ZDX looks, feels, and performs like a GM product. Such collaborations are generally commonplace. Automotive manufacturers often collaborate by sharing transmission systems, chassis components, and meeting production timelines to minimize costs and optimize resource utilization.
Compare the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra, or the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
From its exterior alone, the ZDX doesn’t resemble a Blazer or Equinox in the slightest. The Acura’s audacious design is a bold declaration of innovation. The Acura ZDX presents a deceptive length, resembling a SUV-like wagon, such as the Subaru Outback, despite not standing particularly tall, roughly on par with the RDX in terms of height. The Double Apex Blue Pearl colour breaks new ground in the Acura palette, making a bold statement that’s further accentuated by the bright yellow calipers.
Notwithstanding, the interior’s design yells ‘Grand Master’ at first glance; had you replaced those Acura badges, I would’ve easily been convinced. The interior design draws inspiration from the Chevrolet Equinox EV, with its steering wheel, switchgear, and local weather management dials seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic. While the overall design may seem sparse at first, a closer look reveals thoughtful nuances reminiscent of Acura’s signature blend of simplicity and sophistication within its vehicles.
Black plastic, a subtle yet crucial element, conceals a surprise: the tactile nuances of the switches, which belie their utilitarian appearance with a refined, if unassuming, touch – the engine start button’s gentle give and the sensitive steering column. The buttons on the steering wheel have a decidedly utilitarian feel, while the brand-new column-mounted gear stalk appears somewhat frugal in its design. While the switchgear garners enthusiastic recommendations, it falls short of instilling confidence that you’re operating a premium $90,000 machine? The door’s flimsy texture is eerily consistent throughout, but what’s even more unsettling is the weight of the door handle and frame, which seems disproportionately heavy given its fragile appearance? Lacking the spark and finesse expected from Acura, the ZDX’s underwhelming performance falls short of its potential, leaving a sense of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations.
Manufacturers of luxury clothing often produce garments from the same materials and under similar conditions as their more affordable counterparts, with some instances even sharing the same factories. While there are some notable concerns. Wrapped in supple leather and boasting intuitive controls, the steering wheel stands out as a highlight, its thick rim adorned with subtle LED indicators that illuminate when Fingers-Free Cruise is engaged, a nod to General Motors’ renowned SuperCruise technology, expertly adapted by Acura for seamless driving experiences. This innovative system enables seamless, hands-free, and semi-autonomous driving on select highways, marking a new frontier in autonomous transportation. With a surplus of knowledge on Cadillacs equipped with this feature, we’ve discovered that the ZDX is equally adept at minimizing stress on busy freeways, effortlessly mitigating the frustration caused by congested roads.
The 11.0-inch infotainment system, a feature unique to the ZDX, marks a substantial improvement over the finicky touchpads found in the MDX and RDX models. Despite our best efforts, the touchscreen consistently failed to recognize inputs, forcing us to press the display repeatedly with increasing force – a frustrating experience that only worsened when attempting to adjust fundamental settings while driving, such as one-pedal driving power or adjusting headlights, which were inconveniently relegated to the touchscreen interface. Behind the steering wheel, subtle rocker switches govern music tracks and audio settings, alongside a regenerative brake paddle on the left, yet these glimpses of high-performance potential are overshadowed by various ergonomic shortcomings that impede driving comfort. Why does the driving mode button remain concealed at the midnight panel to the left of the steering column, awaiting the perfect moment to reveal its functionality? The trip-top adjustment for the air suspension can typically be found in this corner. Given that space constraints are minimal, what would be the harm in relocating these controls to the steering wheel?
At its most impressive, and arguably its greatest feature, is seamless integration with Google, transforming this electric SUV into an on-the-go computing powerhouse that harmoniously merges the boundaries between vehicle and device.
Experience intuitive connectivity with Acura’s integration of Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play – seamlessly mirroring the functionality of your Google Home or Android device within your vehicle. The Acura will respond when you say ‘Hey Google’. You can verbally input addresses to navigate with Google Maps, as well as control compatible smart home devices such as thermostats or temperature-controlled lighting. The system responds flexibly to voice commands, exhibiting an open-ended approach that is not confined to a specific set of instructions. The interface offers a welcome respite from the typically underwhelming experience of navigating in-house systems, which, honestly, leave much to be desired. That’s why the demand for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is so high, thanks to their intuitive design and user-friendly interfaces that make it easy to interact with your phone on the go. Aside from the current Volvo lineup, this is perhaps the sole instance where I’ve relied on the in-car Google Maps rather than opting for Apple CarPlay, which comes standard with the ZDX for three years.
The Acura ZDX features an impressively roomy interior, boasting ample storage capacity with copious cupboards. Without any visual barriers, the midsection of the interior reveals a generous storage area, flanked by two substantial cup holders and a spacious central compartment capable of accommodating an SLR camera and other photography accessories. The rear seats boast ample space and a generous sunroof that illuminates the darkened interior with a warm, inviting glow.
The Acura ZDX leverages the same modular General Motors Ultium platform as its automotive siblings – the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, and the forthcoming Honda Prologue. The Acura ZDX also shares a 102 kWh lithium-ion battery that enables variable energy output depending on the specific trim level chosen, offering a range of options for drivers. The base A-Spec trim produces a formidable 490 horsepower and 437 pound-feet of torque, while the Kind S model, which we previously explored, boasts an impressive 499 horsepower and 544 pound-feet of torque. With its impressive performance and features, that makes the ZDX likely the most formidable Acura currently available in the market. Notably, Canada will not receive the single-motor rear-wheel drive variant at this time, with the possibility of a future release pending positive early sales performance.
The Kind S comes with a range of premium features, including an adaptive air suspension system, Brembo’s 15.6-inch six-piston brakes paired with 22-inch wheels, upgraded 16-way adjustable seats from the standard 12-way configuration, and distinctive Kind S logos embroidered on the headrests. Additionally, it offers heated rear seats, a tri-zone climate control system, a digital rearview mirror, and a head-up display for enhanced driving convenience.
Notably, the facility hike with the Kinds features a surprisingly limited 447 kilometres of range available, whereas our personal driving experience yielded a notable 482 kilometres, which we attribute to the ZDX’s impressive capabilities and potentially the primary reason Acura collaborated with a rival manufacturer. The tiny temperature fluctuation is strikingly similar to that of numerous small combustion vehicles on the highway at present; no justification for anxiety exists in this instance. With the less powerful ZDX A-Spec, Honda claims a reduced range of 489 kilometres.
The ZDX Kind S delivers impressive acceleration and potency, yet also exhibits a characteristic lightness, typical of many EVs, which leaves little room for experimentation. The driving experience lacks a certain allure and charm, failing to evoke any sense of excitement or personality. While it’s undoubtedly quick, this mode of transportation lacks an inherent narrative quality.
The exceptional driving experience stems largely from the intelligent adaptive air suspension technology. The ZDX navigates smooth terrain with a silky smoothness, yet falters on uneven surfaces, its ride feeling brittle and labored as it wrestles with each bump and pothole. As you tackle corners at speed, the ZDX’s physique exhibits a noticeable roll, casting us from left to right. The lack of lateral support in the seats, coupled with insufficient facet bolstering, significantly amplifies the rolling sensation.
While the ZDX may not entirely live up to the standards of its model, it compromises its premium allure by incorporating non-proprietary technology and subpar materials, ultimately detracting from its overall quality. Although we initially sensed a pressing need to deliver as many electric vehicles (EVs) as possible, Acura’s decision to delay its entry into the market allowed them to invest more in their own premium identity, which ultimately led to the ZDX being a compelling success story that wouldn’t require a sequel or even a trilogy. The ZDX is an overabundance of General Motors influence and a glaring lack of Acura’s signature refinement.
2024 Acura ZDX Kind S
Double Apex Blue Pearl
$91,490
$91,490
3,094
5,022 / 1,956 / 1,636
2,706
102-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery; twin electric propulsion units
499 hp
544 lb-ft
Single-speed computerized
All-wheel drive (AWD) systems featuring entrance and rear electric motors deliver enhanced traction, stability, and fuel efficiency.
: 447 km
: 482 km
: 275/40R22; Michelin Primacy All-Season
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