Ready or not, the electrified future is here for the automotive industry. Acura is no stranger to alternative-energy powertrains – the company’s first hybrid came out 10 years ago in the form of its entry-level ILX. Even the 600-horsepower NSX Type S supercar leveraged triple electric motors for maximum performance. But going all-electric is something the brand hadn’t yet attempted – until now.
ZDX Origins
The first-generation ZDX launched in 2010 as a luxury SUV with an angular (and in turn, polarizing) design language drawn by Michelle Christensen. It was powered with a 3.7-liter V6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and was well-equipped, but perhaps a little ahead of its time in the crossover segment. Between model years 2010 and 2013 when it was discontinued, only about 7,000 units were sold. To put that into perspective, Honda sold about 17,000 Accords in July 2023 alone. So, 7,000 ZDXs across four model years is undeniably rare.
Last year, it was announced that the nameplate would make a comeback in its second generation as an all-electric vehicle beginning in 2024. Our story about seeing the Precision EV Concept is here.
Acura + GM Platform Sharing
It’s not unusual for automotive brands to share chassis infrastructure, but most people wouldn’t think Chevrolet and Acura have much in common. That all changes with the new ZDX, since it rides on the General Motors “BEV3” platform. This Ultium-battery platform was first announced in 2019 and has been in production since 2022. Vehicles currently on, or slated to be on, the platform are the Cadillac Lyriq, the Buick Electra E5, and the Chevrolet Blazer EV, in addition to the upcoming ZDX. Honda will also use BEV3 for its future Prologue crossover. Needless to say, General Motors is getting a lot of use out of this design, and there is a lot riding on it (literally).
Reveal Reception
Monterey Car Week was full of eye candy this year as you’ve seen from The Journal’s other coverage. From supercars to luxury sedans to one-off custom builds, there was something for everyone. Traffic jams there looked more like slow-rolling car shows than anything else. I traveled to the Monterey Bay Peninsula on Thursday, August 17, to attend a private reception at the Carmel Valley Ranch hosted by Acura. On display outside the facility were a few of the brand’s current Type S models (Integra, NSX, and TLX). I made my way to the pavilion which looked out to the rolling green grass of the country club. A production-spec ZDX was positioned there for the unveiling.
Jessica Fini, Assistant Vice President of Product, Sales, and Dealer Communications, kicked things off with a few words about the significance of this model as a big shift for the company. There were also a few words shared by Emile Korkor, Assistant Vice President of National Sales, followed by Dave Marek from the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles. “The arrival of the new ZDX is an exciting moment for the Acura brand,” Korkor said. “It signals our transition to a zero-emissions future and demonstrates our commitment to Precision Craft Performance in the electrified era.”
First Impressions
I took the chance to get up close and personal with a complete exterior tour as well as a test-fit of the driver seat and cockpit. The steering wheel and controls felt comfortable and welcoming, and I noticed niceties like a panoramic sunroof and rear-seat climate controls. Information is delivered from a pair of 11-inch digital screens and will come with built-in Google. An 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system will provide upscale sounds. The exterior conveys familiar styling elements from the rest of the Acura models such as “chicane” daytime running lamps, a Diamond Pentagon grille, and Jewel Eye headlights.
Power Delivery and Charging Infrastructure
Power for the lower-trim A-Spec ZDX will come from a rear-mounted 340-horsepower single motor. True to Acura signature form, a higher-performance dual-motor, all-wheel drive Type S variation will offer 500-horsepower output. Additionally, it will offer an adjustable air suspension, 15.6-inch Brembo brakes, and 22-inch wheels.
A lot of first-time EV buyers have concerns about the availability of charging infrastructure, and Acura has tried to manage the stress level there by offering an online marketplace called Acura Home Electrification (HE) which provides assistance with determining the best charging solution for each person’s needs. Acura EV buyers will have access to a brand-neutral charging network in the United States and Canada as part of a joint venture between seven major automakers. The first stations are scheduled to open in summer 2024.
Pricing for the ZDX will come in at around $60,000 for the A-Spec and $70,000 for the Type S. We are eager to see how the ZDX is received, and even more eager to get behind the wheel and try one out.
Stay tuned to The ClassicCars.com Journal for future news on the evolving industry when it comes to EVs and everything else!
