Acura ZDX: Honda’s Premium Brand Rises from the Ashes as an Electric SUV

Honda’s premium brand, Acura, revives ZDX as a pure electric vehicle

Honda’s premium brand, Acura, unveiled the ZDX, a coupe-type SUV model, at the 2009 New York International Motor Show. This model is famous for being the first Acura brand to be developed through an independent design by a California design studio in the U.S. In addition, it was equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a large number of luxurious specifications as options, challenging the BMW X6, which was leading the global coupe-type SUV market at the time.

Sales of Acura’s ZDX, which had excellent quality and decent performance, were lower than expected, and it was eventually discontinued in 2013. This ZDX is now scheduled to be reborn as a pure electric SUV.

The ZDX Has Exceptionally High Design Details

The ZDX, which previously took the form of a coupe-type SUV, was newly developed as an electric vehicle and now takes the form of a traditional SUV. The most striking part is the design. The exterior and interior styling of the new ZDX shows that the design introduced in the Acura Precision EV Concept was applied to mass production under the leadership of the LA Acura Design Studio team.

Featuring a wide yet low body, sleek silhouette, and longer wheelbase, the ZDX well expresses Acura’s strong focus on performance. In addition, the details of Acura’s signature front fascia have been further upgraded through the iconic chicane daytime running lights, LED headlights with jewel eyes, and a diamond pentagon on the front with a 3D embossed diamond pattern.

Driving Range of About 352 Miles, Maximum Output of 500hp

The new Acura ZDX is equipped with a GM Ultium battery pack with a capacity of 102 kWh. Based on this, a driving distance of approximately 352 miles was secured based on EPA standards. In terms of performance, based on the general model A-Spec, the maximum output is about 340 horsepower through the rear wheel single motor. Additionally, customers can choose an all-wheel drive version with dual motors. The high-performance model Type S has a maximum output of approximately 500 horsepower.

In addition, Acura’s performance unique to the Type S is maximized through height-adjustable air suspension, adaptive dampers with performance tuning, and 15.6-inch Brembo front brakes with 6-piston yellow calipers. In the case of charging, fast charging of up to 190 kW is supported, and a driving distance of approximately 81 miles can be secured with just 10 minutes of charging.

Expected Price

Currently, the ZDX is expected to start at $60,000 for the A-Spec single-motor model. The ZDX Type S, which boasts powerful performance, is equipped with a performance-tuned dual-motor AWD powertrain, and its price is expected to start at $70,000.

Acura ZDX will be sold through a new Omni Channel digital sales process. The world’s interest in ZDX, which returns as the brand’s first pure electric SUV, is very high. Will this model be able to wash away its past sluggishness and prove Acura’s premium once again?