Everyone's going electric, and now that the 2024 Acura ZDX debuted, it marks the brand's ushering in an age of electrification. It still looks like an Acura, but more modern than the MDX or RDX SUVs that are currently for sale today. The second-generation ZDX is really an all-new model that revives the name from the much-maligned crossover from 13 years ago.
The new ZDX, thankfully, looks nothing like the original vehicle, which sold in paltry numbers during its short 2010-2013 run. Fewer than 3,000 were sold in total. It also doesn't run on a gas-powered V6. Instead, it delivers up to 325 miles of all-electric range in its most efficient configuration, and it also has a high-performance Type S trim level. Let's take a closer look at this fresh face for the luxury arm of Honda.
The Exterior Styling
The ZDX's styling comes straight from the Precision Concept that debuted at Monterey Car Week last year. A lot carried over, and that's a very good thing. It was brought together by the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles. The result is a swoopy and contoured body with a long greenhouse, Acura Chicane DRLs, Jewel Eye LED headlights, and the Diamond Pentagon faux grille with embossed pattern and an LED frame with an illuminated logo. The taillights mimic the headlights, and there's unique floating-roof style that's separated by a chrome window frame that extends to the D-pillar.
The color you see above is exclusive to the sporty ZDX Type S. It's called Double Apex Blue Pearl, which is the same color found on the Acura Precision EV Concept. The brand's now popular Tiger Eye Pearl orange paint will also be available on the ZDX Type S. If it looks familiar, Acura reserves that same color for the performance Type S trims of the TL sports sedan, the MDX SUV, and the new Integra.
The Type S will get slightly different trim bits inside and out, as well as prominent Type S badges. It will also get special 22-inch machine-finished wheels, the biggest diameter wheels on any Acura (even the MDX), as well as wide 275/40ZR22 run-flat tires. Buyers can upgrade to optional summer tires on black gloss wheels that should add greater levels of performance. Lower trim levels will get 20 inches and 265mm tires.
Power and Tech
In terms of what's under the skin, the ZDX will offer both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual motor all-wheel drive. Power comes from a 102-kWh battery pack and an onboard charger that can fast charge with 190 kW for both single and dual motor setups. The rear-wheel drive A-Spec trim gets 325 miles, and the all-wheel-drive one gets 315. Upgrade to Type S and mileage drops to 288 miles of range.
The cabin looks more like a traditional modern Acura than anything futuristic. That doesn't mean it's not packed with great features, though. The ZDX makes use of Google2 for the infotainment, a brand first. It gets standard tech like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play with the plan to make controls connectively more seamless than any current Acura.
The combined screens include an 11-inch Precision Cockpit Driver Information Cluster and an 11.3-inch Center Information Screen along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The ZDX Type S gets a Bang & Olufsen luxury audio system with 18 speakers (including an amplifier and subwoofer) for a premium sound experience.
AcuraWatch is the brand's label for their driver-assistive and safety technologies in a single suite. The ZDX Type S gets all-new AcuraWatch features including Rear Cross Traffic Braking and Blind Zone Steering Assist. There's also Hands-Free Cruise Control that provides driver's assistance for over 400,000 miles of American roads. There's also Automatic Parking Assist, which lets drivers parallel park automatically by using cameras and sensors.
The single-motor ZDX A-Spec will start somewhere in the $60,000 range, and the Type S performance-tuned dual-motor AWD is priced in the $70,000 range. Don't look to buy one off the dealer lot when it arrives because the ZDX will be sold through an omni-channel digital sales process in the comfort of your home or at an Acura dealership. You can pre-order later this year for delivery in early 2024.
