Acura gets electric with GM’S help
Revamped ZDX brand features smooth look
Most automakers have added at least one battery-electric modes to their lineups, or at least have one in development. Acura is joining in with the ZDX, which is slated to arrive in early 2024.
For its initial foray into the EV world, Honda’s upscale division is being assisted by General Motors. As with Honda’s upcoming electric Prologue, which also arrives at about the same time, the ZDX is being constructed with GM’S Ultium battery architecture. It’s also being assembled at the Tennessee facility that’s home to the Cadillac Lyriq EV.
If the ZDX name sounds familiar, it should. It was originally applied to a sleek Acura utility/hatchback that was available from 2010-2013.
The new ZDX’S body and interior styling originate from Acura’s California design studio. The shape is sleeker than more traditional utility-style models, particularly the sloping roofline accentuated with an aluminum strip extending just short of the rear deck to create a floating-roof effect.
The signature Acura grille — faux in this case — functional lower air intake and ultra-thin headlights help accentuate the ZDX’S premium presence. The same goes for the silver lower side skirts.
The base ZDX A-spec rides on 20inch wheels, while the Type S gets 22-inch wheels with all-season or available summer tires. Acura says they’re the largest wheels it has ever offered.
The five-passenger interior comes with an 11-inch digital gauge cluster plus an 11.3-inch tablet-style infotainment screen perched above the climate controls. It comes with Google Maps and Google Assistant, and Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. A premium 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen-brand sound system is standard.
Rear-seat passengers are treated to generous legroom, owing to the ZDX’S lengthy wheelbase: It’s nearly 8 inches greater than that of the seven-passenger MDX and about 14 inches more than the five-passenger RDX offers.
The A-spec’s electric motor drives the rear wheels. Acura estimates
340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, which is similar to the Cadillac Lyriq’s output. Acura has not released power numbers for the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive A-spec.
The all-wheel-drive Type S has dual motors and an estimated 500 horsepower and 601 pound-feet.
Each system is linked to a single-speed controller.
The three variants are supported by 102-kilowatt-hour battery packs. Acura hasn’t released the charging times with a 240-volt AC home station, but a 480-volt DC fast charger — like you’ll find at the dealership — can add 81 miles of range to the ZDX in about 10 minutes.
Generally, a 240-volt AC station charges at about one-tenth the speed.
Maximum range for the A-spec is estimated at 325 miles, and 315 miles for the dual-motor option.
The Type S’s maximum range is 288 miles.
Towing capacity for all is 3,500 pounds.
The A-spec starts in the low $60,000 range, while the base Type S costs about $70,000. Both models are expected to arrive reasonably well outfitted, including an enhanced version of Acurawatch driver-assist technologies that includes rear automatic braking (for when a vehicle crosses behind you when you’re backing up) and forward-collision braking.
Unique to the Type S is a height adjustable air suspension system plus adaptive ride control and 15.6inch Brembo-brand front brakes with yellow six-piston calipers. The Type S can also be equipped with Acurawatch 360+.
Much like GM’S Super Cruise system, which allows for handsfree assisted driving over 400,000 miles of roads in the United States and Canada. Acurawatch 360+ also comes with a feature that can parallel-park the vehicle.
Acura taking advantage of GM’S proven battery technologies for the ZDX is smart and likely financially advantageous until the planned second-generation EVS can be developed in-house.
For the short term, the ZDX should help successfully launch Acura’s — and Honda’s — EV business.