Honda-owned Acura will launch a new sport utility vehicle in 2025, the fourth in the brand's lineup after the RDX, MDX, and the zero-emission ZDX. The question is, where does it slot in the lineup?
Before answering that question, let's glance over the press release attached below. First and foremost, Acura says that ADX sits alongside Integra. Entry-level crossover, maybe? Another line clearly states that it's a gateway to the brand for young buyers, but not your usual youngsters. Acura describes the target demographic as young premium buyers.
Premium obviously refers to Acura making slightly nicer vehicles than Honda, but further alludes to a higher price compared to Honda's equivalent model. This, however, is the biggest mystery in regard to the ADX. Unfortunately, we don't know if the newcomer is based on the HR-V or the CR-V.
While it may be difficult to price a premium-oriented subcompact, remember that Lexus offers two small crossovers in the form of the UX and even smaller LBX. There is a case to be made for a CR-V twin as well, for the current gen measures 106.3 inches (2,701 millimeters) in wheelbase compared to 108.3 inches (2,751 millimeters) for RDX.
Acura further confirmed turbocharging for the first-ever ADX, which is a pretty interesting detail in and of itself. The RDX comes with a K-series engine displacing 2.0 liters, while CR-V flaunts a 1.5-liter turbo. The Honda CR-V can be had as a hybrid as well, sporting a free-breathing 2.0L engine.
Photo: Honda / edited
Unless Acura is talking about a brand-new powerplant, the most likely candidate for the ADX is the CR-V's standard 1.5-liter turbo. In other words, our guess is that Acura developed the sub-RDX crossover on the HA architecture of the CR-V. In many respects, it definitely checks out.
For starters, $44,350 before destination price is a lot of money for prospective customers in the market for a high-riding crossover. The ADX could shave $4,000 off the starting price of the RDX, therefore bringing new customers to the brand. By comparison, the CR-V starts at $29,500 for model year 2024.
Designed to take regular unleaded, the 1.5-liter engine in the CR-V develops 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet (243 Nm) at full chatter. The RDX, by comparison, puts out 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet (380 Nm) from its 2.0-liter engine.
Being related to the Integra, the ADX could very well be gifted with the same 200 ponies and 192 pound-feet (260 Nm) of torque. It's not known whether Acura is also developing a sports version. If so, then look forward to 320 ponies and 310 pound-feet (420 Nm) from the ADX Type S.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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