2024 Acura ZDX Type S keeps first EV mostly on-brand

The 2024 Acura ZDX is the Honda premium model’s first-ever electrical car, a midsize crossover SUV with 5 seats. 

Visually it’s each inch an Acura, and it’s very shut in measurement to the model’s bestselling mannequin, the MDX midsize crossover. However the EV is otherwise proportioned—3 inches decrease, on a wheelbase that’s 8 inches longer. 

Named after a low-volume Acura SUV bought from 2010 to 2013, the brand new ZDX is definitely constructed by Normal Motors and rides on that firm’s Ultium EV platform—as does the associated Honda Prologue from Acura’s mother or father model. EPA vary scores range from 313 miles for the rear-wheel-drive base ZDX A-Spec mannequin to 278 miles for the highest Sort S trim, which has all-wheel drive commonplace. The ZDX A-Spec with AWD is available in between these ranges, at 304 miles.

In late April, we spent greater than 4 hours driving the Acura ZDX in and round Santa Barbara, California. All our check autos have been the highest Sort S model, so we will’t touch upon the variations between these and the A-Spec fashions.

An Acura inside and outside—and electrical

Total, the Acura ZDX will possible enchantment to MDX house owners prepared to make the bounce to battery-electric energy, although it foregoes that SUV’s third-row seating and it’s much less sporty than different Acuras. For SUV patrons specifically, that’s prone to be an appropriate tradeoff. 

The 2024 ZDX appears to be like each inch an Acura, inside and outside. The shield-shaped entrance “grille” is a blanking plate, however the designers have managed to cut back the visible top of a midsize SUV. Methods embrace a sculpted decrease entrance fascia with horizontal fins, an non-compulsory black roof, a chrome band outlining the highest of the home windows—opinions on that flourish have been very blended certainly—and a silver “swoosh” beneath the doorways.

Sadly, there isn’t any entrance trunk beneath the lengthy nostril. Acura and GM engineers selected to bundle energy electronics and charging tools there as a substitute, foregoing one of many advantages of an EV ‘skateboard’ platform.

ZDX fees rapidly, has route planning

The 102-kwh battery pack fees at charges as much as 190 kw, Acura says, noting that the ZDX can add “almost 81 miles” in 10 minutes of fast-charging. That, after all, is beneath superb situations: low battery cost, optimum ambient and battery temperatures, and a charging station that may ship that energy. A extra lifelike road-trip situation—20-80% fast-charging—is quoted at 42 minutes.

Acura says Google Assistant will route the ZDX to EV charging stations if a visit exceeds the automotive’s out there vary, and the electrical SUV will even precondition its battery en route if wanted to offer a sooner cost. On our brief drive, we weren’t in a position to check the routing capabilities. We did attempt to recharge our check ZDX, however the one CCS charging station inside our deadline was completely full—in order that’ll have to attend for a longer-term check automotive.

On our varied drive legs, we recorded efficiencies of two.2 to 2.4 miles per kwh, decrease than some EV SUVs however maybe not stunning for a three-ton SUV, given the hills alongside our route and substantial journey at California freeway speeds. 

Acura takes an attention-grabbing strategy in providing patrons a alternative of three totally different choices for charging gear. One choice is a Stage 2 dwelling charging station; a $500 credit score towards set up; and $100 in public charging credit. Patrons who don’t need to set up a everlasting charger can get a conveyable charging twine, with $250 towards set up and $300 in charging credit. Lastly, customers who can’t cost at dwelling can go for $750 in public-charging credit. Acura has correctly stayed away from the “limitless” public-charging presents different makers use to lure patrons, which regularly leads drivers who might simply cost at dwelling to clog public-charging websites as a result of they’re free.

Acura says 2024 ZDX fashions will include the CCS charging port, however 2025 model-year vehicles ought to have the Tesla-style NACS connector. We suggest checking again nearer to the beginning of subsequent yr to verify that.

ZDX is quickest Acura SUV ever

Acura says the brand new electrical ZDX is the quickest SUV it’s ever bought, underscoring the “efficiency” facet of the model. It’s additionally heavy: nearly 1,200 kilos greater than an MDX with roughly the identical footprint. The all-wheel-drive electrical powertrain provides it near a 50/50 weight distribution, and the air suspension with adaptive dampers supplies a Sport Mode that permits it to experience 15 mm decrease than regular. Snow Mode raises the experience top by 25 mm and adjusts traction for slippery situations, and an Particular person Mode that lets house owners tune settings for the steering, suspension, and energy to their liking—although we doubt it will likely be used a lot.

The all-wheel-drive A-Spec is quoted at 360 kw (490 hp), whereas the Sort S ekes out a couple of extra horses to realize “almost 500 hp,” in line with product planning supervisor Jonathon Rivers. The Sort S additionally produces as much as 544 lb-ft of torque, which he famous exceeds even the second-generation NSX two-seat efficiency automotive, with its mid-mounted V-6 engine and three electrical motors. The bottom A-Spec mannequin makes use of a single 263-kw (358-hp) motor that powers the rear wheels.

Huge Brembo brakes on our Sort S use six-piston entrance calipers clamping down on 15.6-inch entrance rotors (13.6 inches on the rear). The calipers are painted shiny yellow to underscore the sporty aspirations of the ZDX, and so they hauled the 6,050-pound Sort S all the way down to a cease simply tremendous beneath emergency braking. Our Sort S rode on 22-inch wheels; all-weather tires are commonplace, or patrons can go for efficiency tires as a $1,000 choice.

The default drive mode approximates the powertrain really feel of a standard car with an computerized transmission—minus the shifts, after all. The suspension was comfy on most surfaces, with good damping and a snug experience. Sport mode gave us much less added punch than we had hoped for: the suspension felt tighter however added some harshness, and the steering was each lighter and faster. 

Tapping a everlasting icon on the high of the touchscreen brings up a field for “One Pedal Driving” set to the “Regular” stage. (Tapping it once more turns off regenerative braking altogether.) However to get the strongest regen requires additional motion: a driver should faucet the phrases “Set Stage” after which select the “Excessive” choice from a dropdown that seems. This looks as if it might all be mixed right into a single popup for significantly much less distraction.

Contained in the ZDX cabin, the entrance seats are power-adjustable and comfy. The perforated Milano leather-based upholstery with distinction stitching is interesting, and our Sort S check mannequin added embossed Sort S logos for further flash. The flat ground in entrance of the large rear seat makes carrying three adults much less cramped than in comparable crossovers with driveline humps.

ZDX doesn’t omit CarPlay or Android Auto

All fashions include an 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster; the Sort S provides a head-up show. It additionally comes with Google Assistant constructed into the infotainment system. The big icons on the central 11.3-inch touchscreen are simple to hit, and the ZDX presents each Android Auto and Apple CarPlay—in contrast to some Ultium-based EVs bought by GM. We examined wi-fi navigation mirrored to the automotive on each varieties of cellphone, and it labored flawlessly—although the phrase “Google” in dialog appeared to interrupt the Apple Maps app because the automotive woke as much as await a command.

A large console between the seats accommodates each two giant cups and two smartphones mendacity facet by facet. A pocket simply forward of the central armrest presents wi-fi charging and retains smartphone screens hidden to stop drivers sneaking a look—or worse. Massive buttons and knobs on the sprint present acquainted controls for issues like audio quantity and tuning, and air flow capabilities. There’s additionally a big space beneath the ahead a part of the console for a small backpack or a handbag—which was nearly completely invisible amidst the uniform darkish grey plastic of the sprint and console and the black carpeting.

Cargo quantity is a considerable 28.7 cubic ft behind the second row; with that row folded down, it rises to 62 cu ft. The rear seatbacks, nevertheless, don’t fold fairly flat. It’s not an enormous obstacle, but it surely’s additionally not a flat load ground all the way in which as much as the entrance seats.

The lively security system within the ZDX contains all ordinary automated driver-assistance programs, together with computerized emergency braking, lively lane management, and too many others to listing right here. 

Acura ZDX lineup is simplified

The 2024 Acura ZDX lineup is easy, with rear- or all-wheel-drive A-Spec fashions, the Sort S for extra bling, and minimal choices. Keyless entry is commonplace, and each key-card and smartphone entry are provided. One notable commonplace function is an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system in all ZDX variations; it will likely be fitted to different Acura autos for the 2025 mannequin yr.

The ZDX is constructed on the identical Spring Hill, Tennessee, meeting plant that produces the Cadillac Lyriq. As such, Acura says it ought to qualify for the $7,500 EV tax credit that, as of January 1, might be utilized on to the sticker value to cut back the price of the car. Acura advised us it expects to ship 20,000 ZDXes this yr, and 30,000 yearly in subsequent mannequin years.

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Acura offered airfare, lodging, and meals to allow Inexperienced Automotive Experiences to convey you this first-person drive report.