The original ZDX concept was penned by Michelle Christensen who labeled it a "4-door luxury sports coupe" and which Acura says "blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle."[2]
The ZDX features Acura's first six speed automatic transmission, advanced ventilated seats, as well as other luxury appointments. Although the ZDX shares a similar profile with the Honda Crosstour,[3] the two vehicles are not mechanically related: the latter is based on the Honda Accord, while the ZDX is based on the Honda Pilot/Acura MDX.[4]
On August 19, 2022, it was announced that the ZDX nameplate would return to Acura's lineup in 2024 for the brand's first electric vehicle. The new ZDX will be co-developed with General Motors.[5]
Concept version
The ZDX concept
Five teaser shots, released by Acura between March 16 and 20, 2009, indicated a coupe-like sloping roofline akin to that of the BMW X6, which led many observers to believe that is its direct competitor. After the announcement about naming the vehicle ZDX, Acura added the words "Luxury Four-Door Sports Coupe" to the caption for each picture. Moreover, it did not state the vehicle as a crossover or an SUV.[6] The automaker translated the designers renderings almost literally into production sheetmetal. It's all but unheard-of for a rookie designer to have sketches embraced by a car company and put into production with so few changes.[citation needed]
The announced version includes the 3,664 cc (3.664 L; 223.6 cu in) SOHC VTECV6 all-aluminum engine rated 300 bhp (220 kW) at 6300 rpm and 270 lb⋅ft (366 N⋅m) at 4500 rpm, 6-speed automatic transmission, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), 19-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof with movable sunshades, hand-stitched leather interior, HandsFreeLink Bluetooth connectivity, power tailgate, and a high-powered audio system with CD player, AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio and USB audio interface with iPod integration. Sales began in winter 2009.[8][9][10]
For 2013, in a last ditch attempt, Acura sold the ZDX in only one trim level. Acura cut costs by eliminating CMBS, ACC and IDS and replaced them with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), redesigned front grille, integrated parking sensors, power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors, and new dark accents for the wheels. This resulted in a MSRP ($51,815) over $5K less than the previous year advance model.
The 2013 ZDX has one well-equipped trim level. Standard features include a navigation system with an 8-inch screen, satellite radio, USB input, Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, ventilated and heated seats (front), cruise control, keyless entry, power-folding side mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power tailgate, moonroof, and auto on/off headlights. Standard safety features include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a rearview camera. The ZDX has 27.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind its 60/40 split-folding rear seats and just 57.3 cubic feet with them folded flat, which is very small by class standards.[11]
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel consumption estimates for all models are 16 mpg‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg‑imp) in the city, 22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg‑imp) on the highway and 19 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg‑imp) combined.
Discontinuation
The ZDX was discontinued after the 2013 model year due to poor sales, and in a statement from Honda, "as the Acura brand sharpens its focus on new models and core products."[12] The ZDX was the rarest of U.S. manufactured Acura offerings, with a total of 7,191 vehicles produced and sold in North America.
Acura unveiled the all-electric ZDX in August 2023. The first EV in Acura's lineup, the new ZDX is co-developed using General Motors' Ultium vehicle architecture that currently underpins the Cadillac Lyriq, GMC Hummer EV and the Honda Prologue, itself slated for a 2024 release.
Compared to the original ZDX, the 2nd generation ZDX has a more traditional roofline. The ZDX gains an A-Spec single-motor configuration, and a Type S performance variant, the latter of which is estimated to give 500hp, making it the most powerful SUV ever produced by Acura.
It is the first Acura to be fitted with cutting-edge technology such as Bang & Olufsen luxury audio, built-in Google functionality, as well as AcuraWatch 360+ with Hands Free Cruise on the Type S grade.[16]
The ZDX was to be one of many Acura and Honda EVs co-developed with General Motors. However, In October 2023, Honda and General Motors announced that their plan to co-develop low-cost electric vehicles has been cancelled, and future Honda/Acura EVs will be solely developed by Honda and will be manufactured in Honda assembly plants.[17] Both the ZDX and the Honda Prologue are the only known models jointly developed with GM to make it to production.
^"Acura ZDX prototype". Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2009. Acura ZDX prototype: The dynamic ZDX is the first car styled start-to-finish at Acura's new design studio in Torrance. Not a bad first effort.
^Eddie Alterman (August 2009). "2010 Acura ZDX". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2 September 2016. ... seats two to three fewer occupants than the MDX and Honda Pilot SUVs on which it's based.
^"2013 Acura ZDX Luxury Crossover To Get Numerous Enhancements in its Final Model Year". Retrieved October 10, 2012. The innovative and stylish Acura ZDX crossover vehicle, introduced in 2009, will receive numerous styling and technology enhancements for the 2013 model year, which will be the final year on the market for ZDX as the Acura brand sharpens its focus on new models and core products, the company announced today.
^"Ratings". NHTSA. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
