The Acura ZDX (beginning at $64,500) may need began out as a gas-powered crossover, however the 2024 model is the first-ever electrical car from Honda’s luxurious model. It is primarily a extra highly effective model of the Prologue that runs on GM’s Ultium platform quite than any of the idea frameworks Honda introduced at CES. We’re followers of its snappy driving expertise, aggressive battery vary, sharp seems to be, and premium facilities, although we do want it had a frunk. General, the Tesla Mannequin Y stays our Editors’ Alternative for electrical crossovers as a result of it offers the same expertise and extra cargo area for a a lot decrease beginning value of $44,990.Value and Choices: A Beneficiant Set of Normal FeaturesThe 2024 Acura ZDX is offered in three foremost trims: A-Spec RWD ($64,500), A-Spec AWD ($68,500), or Sort S ($73,500). The bottom mannequin has a single motor for rear-wheel drive, whereas the opposite two have twin motors for all-wheel drive. These costs put it far above even the most costly Tesla Mannequin Y, the $51,490 Efficiency AWD. The Honda Prologue begins at $47,400, for comparability. All are eligible for the complete federal EV tax credit score.
Since 1982, PCMag has examined and rated hundreds of merchandise that will help you make higher shopping for selections. See how we take a look at.
(Credit score: Doug Newcomb)
Normal exterior highlights of the A-Spec fashions embrace 20-inch wheels, heated and power-folding aspect mirrors with LED flip indicators, an illuminated seamless grille, LED headlights, taillights, and daytime working lights, a piano-black decklid spoiler, a powered tailgate, and a tilt-and-slide panoramic moonroof. Contained in the cabin, you get 12-way energy entrance seats with heating and air flow, brushed-aluminum trim, a dual-zone computerized local weather system with humidity management and air filtration, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, and perforated leather-based seats.
(Credit score: Doug Newcomb)
When it comes to tech, you get an 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster, an 11.3-inch infotainment contact display, an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with AM/FM HD Radio, and satellite tv for pc radio, Google Constructed-In apps, wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and wi-fi cellphone charging. As for security, the car gives most customary driver assists, together with cutting-edge ones comparable to front-pedestrian and automatic-reverse braking.
(Credit score: Doug Newcomb)
The Sort S provides 22-inch wheels, adaptive cruise management with hands-free freeway driving, automated parking, Brembo entrance 6-piston brakes, a gloss-black roof, a hands-free energy tailgate, rear pedestrian alert, and a surround-view digital camera system. You will get the Sort S with summer season efficiency tires as an alternative of all-season tires in the event you want for a beginning value of $74,500. A $600 Tiger Eye Pearl paint possibility and a $1,395 vacation spot and dealing with cost carry the ultimate sticker value of my Sort S mannequin to $75,495.Design: A Distinctive ExteriorThe exterior of the Acura ZDX is just like that of the Honda Prologue, however there are some clear distinctions. Whereas the Prologue has a pretend grille, the ZDX ditches this gasoline car relic for an illuminated, single-piece pentagonal panel. In the meantime, the Chicane daytime working lights kind an eye catching test mark over Acura’s distinctive Jewel Eye headlights. Different standout design parts embrace the gloss-black roof and the chrome strip that angles down from the C pillar (it considerably resembles the standard trim on a hearse).
(Credit score: Doug Newcomb)
As with the Prologue, the ZDX shares considerably lackluster inside switches with its distant GM EV cousins. However the leather-covered dashboard, well sculpted door panels, and instrument panel trim nonetheless give the inside an upscale really feel. The twin-panel panoramic moonroof makes the already roomy inside appear extra-spacious, too. I want the ZDX’s trendy class to the Tesla Mannequin Y’s extra minimalist tilt.Just like the Prologue, the ZDX doesn’t have a frunk since mechanical elements occupy the area beneath the hood. For comparability, the Tesla Mannequin Y has a 4.1 cubic-foot frunk and extra rear trunk area (34.3 cubic ft in contrast with 28.7 cubic ft for the Sort S).
(Credit score: Doug Newcomb)
Efficiency: Ample Energy and AccelerationThe Acura ZDX is extra highly effective than the Honda Prologue: Even the bottom A-Spec mannequin has extra horsepower (358 in contrast with 288) and virtually the identical quantity of torque (324lb-ft in contrast with 333) because the top-end Prologue Elite. In the meantime, the Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency AWD, which has 455hp and 487lb-ft of torque, falls in need of the Sort S trim. Take a look at the under chart for the complete specs:
For testing, I drove the ZDX Sort S on crowded freeways and curvy mountain roads in and round Santa Barbara, CA, as a part of a media occasion. The car proved to have ample acceleration for passing different automobiles and climbing steep grades. Like all EVs, it has instantaneous torque for sudden bursts of velocity however manages to strike a perfect stability between aggressively sporty and graciously poised.An adaptive air suspension offers the 6,000-pound crossover an especially easy experience even on pockmarked roads, whereas the cabin stays quiet and well-isolated from exterior noise. The ZDX has Regular, Sport, and Snow Drive modes, together with a person mode that permits you to alter efficiency attributes such because the throttle response and steering really feel. I like that the ZDX gives the perfect of each worlds when it comes to regenerative braking. Off, Regular, and Excessive settings are all out there by way of the middle dashboard display or a steering-wheel paddle for on-the-fly changes. Battery and Charging: High-Tier RangeAll ZDX fashions use a 102kWh battery, which is bigger than the 85kWh cell in all of the Prologue variants. Consequently, the rear-wheel A-Spec mannequin will get barely extra driving vary than the front-wheel drive (FWD) EX and Touring Prologue trims (296 miles of vary, a mixed MPGe score of 99). Nonetheless, the Tesla Mannequin Y comes out a bit forward of the ZDX throughout the board: Its Lengthy Vary RWD mannequin offers 330 miles, whereas the Efficiency AWD will get you 279 miles. You could find the complete battery specs within the chart under.
Acura says it takes 42 minutes for the ZDX to go from 20% to 80% at a DC fast-charger and estimates the Degree 2 AC fee as 29.4 miles per hour of cost. Since I examined the ZDX at a media occasion, I didn’t get to cost the battery. That stated, the vary and fee of discharge appeared acceptable for the quantity of driving I did. The car makes use of a Mixed Charging System (CCS) port however is suitable with Tesla’s North American Charging Normal (NACS) by way of an adapter. Partnerships with EVgo and Electrify America present ZDX homeowners with entry to these corporations’ chargers by way of the Acura EV smartphone app (out there for Android and iOS) that helps you discover out there chargers and pay for charging, amongst different issues. As with the Honda Prologue, you’ll be able to select between a number of charging choices upon buy. See the chart under for all the small print:
Infotainment: A GM System With Apple CarPlay and Android AutoLike the Honda Prologue, the ZDX shares an infotainment system with many GM automobiles, although not the one which induced huge issues with the Blazer EV. Among the many Google Constructed-In apps are Google Assistant, Google Play Retailer, and Google Maps. Nonetheless, whereas GM ditched Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the ZDX permits a wi-fi connection to each platforms. I did not have any points utilizing CarPlay with my iPhone in testing.
(Credit score: Doug Newcomb)
To manage the interface, you spin a bodily energy/quantity knob to the higher left of the contact display and faucet smaller contact icons on the left aspect of the display (audio, cellphone, navigation, and different often-used options). A customizable set of huge menu tiles within the heart spans a number of pages. Though I discovered the preproduction interface on the Honda Prologue mannequin I examined a bit laggy, the ZDX’s system was fast to reply. Acura abdicates to GM’s OnStar for telematics options comparable to computerized emergency crash notification and the Wi-Fi hotspot however reskins it as AcuraLink Linked by OnStar. To remotely lock or unlock doorways and maintain tabs on charging, it’s good to obtain the Acura EV app.
(Credit score: Doug Newcomb)
Security and Extras: Palms Free Cruise Is the FutureA complete assortment of driver assists beneath the AcuraWatch umbrella is commonplace on the A-Spec trims, as talked about, although the Sort-S will get extra options comparable to a surround-view digital camera, automated parking, and what Acura calls Palms Free Cruise. (The latter is de facto GM’s Tremendous Cruise hands-free driving system). The newest model robotically strikes you into the left lane to cross slower drivers forward (until there’s one other car within the adjoining lane) after which merges you again into the unique lane as soon as it is secure. After I examined this technique on a crowded California freeway, I used to be amazed by how easy and competently it really works—that is greater than I can say for most of the drivers I encountered whereas testing the Acura.Verdict: A Pricey ContenderAlthough it seems like considerably of a half-step given Honda’s broader electrical ambitions, the Acura ZDX crossover offers loads of efficiency, vary, and panache. Its self-driving freeway characteristic is very compelling, and we get pleasure from its elevated inside and exterior design. It significantly challenges the equally performing Tesla Mannequin Y for our Editors’ Alternative award, although the latter maintains its benefit due to its considerably cheaper price and higher quantity of cargo area.
Like What You are Studying?
Join Lab Report back to get the newest evaluations and high product recommendation delivered proper to your inbox.
This text might include promoting, offers, or affiliate hyperlinks. Subscribing to a publication signifies your consent to our Phrases of Use and Privateness Coverage. It’s possible you’ll unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
