Acura’s first electric vehicle, the 2024 ZDX, has finally arrived, offering around 500 horsepower, just under 500 kilometres of range, and some slick hands-free driving technology. That sounds peachy for a brand looking to impress prospective buyers, but something is a bit askew with the brand’s premiere EV.
Perhaps it’s because it’s built in a General Motors facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee? Or does it have something to do with the ZDX’s reliance on GM’s Ultium battery tech and architecture? And it turns out the hands-free driving feature is merely General Motors’ Super Cruise. On paper, it seems like the 2024 Acura ZDX is just a General Motors vehicle in disguise, but in practice, there are a few worthy highlights to the ZDX.
What is the 2024 Acura ZDX?
For Honda and Acura to get to grips with the North American appetite for electrification, they partnered up with General Motors, collaborating on a few vehicles. The 2024 Honda Prologue borrows bits and pieces from the Chevy Blazer EV and Equinox EV, while the ZDX seems more aligned with the Cadillac Lyriq.
Having GM as a tutor with EVs is a good idea, as the American automaker has a strong track record of developing electric vehicles. Dating back to the EV1 in the ’90s, and stretching today to the affordable Chevy Bolt, excessive Hummer EV, and premium Cadillac Lyriq, General Motors has tons of experience with electrons. However, our recent experience with the Lyriq had us seeking better attention to detail, as the vehicle exhibited squeaks, rattles, and generally unimpressive build quality.
With a massive 102-kWh battery and nearly 500 horsepower, it seems like the Acura ZDX is just a rebadged Cadillac Lyriq. Visually, it distances itself from its GM platform-mates. The pointy bumper, slim headlights, and horizontal taillights all convincingly express the brand’s design language, allowing the ZDX to look right at home alongside other vehicles in the Acura showroom.
Our tester, the top-trim Type S, features a two-tone paint finish and an extra-cost orange pigment. This model also features 22-inch wheels that shield huge six-piston Brembo brakes up front. The entry-level A-Spec model features 20-inch wheels and lacks the beefy brakes which seem essential when piloting a powerful 6,000-lb vehicle.
While it’s billed an “SUV,” it doesn’t look like it from the outside. It’s approachable and easy to get into without stepping up, though the Type S features an air-suspension system that can raise or lower the ride height to help with accessibility. Unlike the Lyriq it shares so much with, the ZDX looks better-proportioned.
How spacious and practical is the 2024 Acura ZDX?
The lengthy wheelbase leads to a spacious cabin. There’s plenty of rear-seat legroom, which will let even adults feel comfortable in the back seats. I also found that the ZDX easily accommodated child and infant seats without struggling. The spacious feel extends to the trunk, which offers 793 litres (28 cubic feet) of space. That expands to an incredible 1,722 litres (60.8 cu ft) when the rear seats are folded down, while a storage cubby under the trunk floor stores accessories like the portable charging cable.
One nitpick is watching the rear seats fold. Buttons in the trunk trigger a hassle-free folding of the rear seats, but in action, they flop down rather than lock into place in a flat, folded position.
But the ZDX seems to lack a lot of high-end flair like that. The seats feature nice, soft leather upholstery, but the trim is far from a highlight. Plastic-feeling touch-points are scattered around the interior, and some buttons seem out of place.
For example, the toggle to switch drive modes is found by the driver’s left knee. This is strange, considering Acura’s other models put the drive mode selector in very obvious locations (the RDX and MDX made changing drive modes a huge knob on the center of the dash!) leaving us to wonder if this GM-Acura platform-sharing is sapping some of the character from the ZDX.
It’s well-equipped though, with built-in Google Maps, heated and vented front seats, a heated steering wheel, and three-zone climate control.
2024 Acura ZDX technology
The 11.3-inch Android Automotive OS-based infotainment system is acceptable, but changing drive modes lacks the animated charm found in other Acura vehicles. The screen is responsive and supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There’s a wireless phone-charger pocket in the center console, and USB-C ports for additional charging or connectivity.
Drivers should get accustomed to the touchscreen. Changing the headlights on or off has to be done through the infotainment screen, as is adjusting the regenerative braking settings, though there is a steering wheel paddle with a regen-on-demand function. The ZDX has a lovely 11-inch gauge cluster with plenty of information and can adjust from a map view to a trip information view with a quick button-press.
What is the 2024 Acura ZDX like to drive?
While functional and spacious, the interior of the ZDX is missing some of the charms one expects from an Acura, especially one with high-performance Type S branding. The drive experience reflects this missing of the mark as well. It’s good, but lacks the competitiveness Acura has shown in other segments and with other vehicles in its lineup.
The Acura comes with 490 horsepower and 437 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to all four wheels. The Type S bumps the output to 500 hp and 544 lb-ft, allowing the heavy EV to hit highway speeds from a standstill in just over four seconds. That’s fast, but other EVs from BMW or Genesis can manage that task in less time. While acceleration is above-average, the Type S lacks some of the sporty pedigree Acura has shown off in other models, like the Integra Type S, which is among the best hot hatches on the market. The ZDX feels heavy and lumbering when tackling corners in quick succession, and isn’t fun to pilot on windy roads.
Can the 2024 Acura ZDX drive itself?
Instead, the EV feels at its best when commuting or cruising. One important feature, called Hands-free Cruise, helps in that regard. It’s essentially GM’s Super Cruise, which allows hands-free driving in certain scenarios, and works just as well in the Acura as on any Chevy, Cadillac, or GMC. It is truly a next-generation feature, and is hard to give up once you’ve used it for a long and tedious cruise into town.
The ZDX is plenty comfortable and quiet on the road. While previous excursions in the Cadillac Lyriq had us experiencing rattles, squeaks, clunks, and unsecured interior panels, we had none of that in the Acura. The different drive modes also help ensure the ride is smooth, and harsh pavement doesn’t shake the spirit of the premium EV.
How much range does the Acura ZDX have?
The massive battery of the ZDX allows it to boast some impressive, though not world-beating, range. A-Spec models feature 489 km (303 miles) of range, while the Type S can travel 447 km (278 miles) before needing to plug in.
How long does it take to recharge the Acura ZDX?
However, that massive battery is also a crutch if you need a speedy recharge. Even though the ZDX supports DC fast-charging speeds up to 190 kW, it will take over 40 minutes to increase the state of charge from 20% to 80%. That’s not as impressive as some other fast-charging EVs on the market. Those with a Level 2 charger can expect a 10-hour recharge from zero to 100%.
Currently, the ZDX supports DC fast-charging with CCS ports, but last year, the automaker announced plans to support the Tesla NACS-style ports with an adapter, allowing the ZDX to use the vast Supercharger network of fast chargers.
2024 Acura ZDX pricing
It costs $87,717 to get into a 2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec, while the Type S is $94,217. That $7,000 difference means that the Type S boasts bigger brakes, air suspension, and hands-free driving, all features that seem worth the price difference.
Final Thoughts
However, it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow or two at that price, especially as a fully loaded (and very similar) Cadillac Lyriq is slightly cheaper while boasting a nicer interior and a bit more range, according to Natural Resources Canada.
As a result, the ZDX will try to appeal to the Acura faithful, but may miss the mark. The EV lacks the sporty character and interior flair of its other vehicles, even in the Type S trim, making it seem out of place.
Make no mistake, Acura’s first electric offers a lot to like, including its range, power, and hands-free tech, but those elements are all found elsewhere in the segment and its platform-mates. It was smart of Acura to collaborate with GM and steal some of its best technology and features, but the brand’s next EVs are expected to be built in-house. Hopefully, they take all the positives from the ZDX and implement their brand values for a more cohesive and competitive option in this cutthroat segment.
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