ACURA ZDX Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Acura made a surprising move in 2023 when it introduced the ZDX as its first full-electric SUV. Usually, automakers started with sedans and evolved later with SUVs. But the Japanese premium brand took a different approach and made the ZDX its forerunner in the electric car revolution.

Honda made its first full-electric vehicle, the E, in 2020. It was not a huge success, but the automaker learned what customers want from an electron-powered vehicle. So, three years later, it brought another EV. Only this time, it was not sold under Honda's badge but on Acura's logo. Moreover, creating an entirely new platform specifically designed for EVs paved the way for other such vehicles built and sold by both brands.

Acura introduced the Precision EV Concept at the 2022 Monterey Car Week, and many people thought that it was just another show car with no real future. Yet, Acura proved them wrong, and one year later, it unveiled the production version of that SUV under the ZDX nameplate. Acura's design studio from California designed the vehicle and carefully incorporated the brand's specific details onto the car. As a result, the front fascia featured the same pentagonal-shaped grille, although it was mostly blocked since electric vehicles didn't need wide cooling areas. That was flanked by LED headlights with a shape that resembled the ones from other Acura products, such as the Integra Type S. On the outer sides of the lower front bumper, the design team created scoops that created a sporty image for the SUV. Several silver trims adorned the front fascia and continued on the sides, on the vehicle's skirts. The greenhouse looked different than other Acura products since it featured a free-floating design emphasized by the chromed trim that surrounded the upper side of the windows' area and was sloped down on the C-pillars. Since Acura was mostly a premium yet sporty brand, the designers penned a raked-forward tailgate adorned by a roof spoiler at the back.

The car's interior was up to Acura's standards, boasting a high level of technology, refinement, and comfort. In front of the driver, the automaker installed an 11" digital instrument cluster, while atop the center stack mounted an additional 11.3" touchscreen for the infotainment system. The car had integrated Google Maps, and it could display it on either screen. Moreover, it could suggest routes based on the charging stations available on the routes and even precondition the battery pack to speed up charging sessions. Since the vehicle was so silent, the automaker considered installing an 18-speaker Bang&Olufsen audio system that provided a surround sound experience. The front bucket seats offered enough side bolstering and were separated by a tall center console, which hosted two storage areas and a pair of cup holders.

Acura offered the ZDX with two available powertrains: a two-wheel-drive version with one motor for the rear axle and an all-wheel-drive one with motors on both ends of the SUV. The former was estimated to cover 325 miles (523 km) on a single charge.

The ZDX was the answer given by Acura to the increasing market share of the SUV-coupe segment.

While the concept-car was praised for its beauty and style, the series model was struck by the 2008 world global financial crisis. The ZDX was nearly identical to the concept vehicle, with only a few changes to the headlights and bumpers. It was based on the successful model Acura MDX/Honda Pilot, but with sales under 10.000 units, it was a big loss for the Japanese car-maker.

From the beginning, the car-maker stated that the ZDX was a luxury four-door sport-coupe vehicle, even though it was based on an SUV platform. Its target was clearly the BMW X6 customers, but it was hard to beat the German offer with only one engine option on the table. The angular headlights, the air-intakes in the front bumper, and the sloped roof were just a few of the lines that made the ZDX a special vehicle.

Inside, Acura offered room for five adults and a decently sized trunk. With the heated and ventilated seats fitted as standard, the ZDX tried to fulfill its promise as a premium car-maker. The instrument cluster featured a four dial system and a small display. The designers placed the infotainment screen in an independent cluster on top of the center stack, but the system was controlled via a rotary knob and not by a touch-screen system.

Honda installed only one engine option for the ZDX, the 3.6-liter gasoline engine. It was mated to a newly developed 6-speed automatic gearbox. Power went to all corners via an SH-AWD system, which ensured that the most torque was sent to the wheel with the best traction.