ACURA MARKS ITS GRAND DEBUT ON ELECTRIC AVENUE WITH THE BUZZY LAUNCH OF THE ZDX, A SVELTE, TECH STACKED SUV WITH SMARTS AND STYLE IN EQUAL MEASURE
BY ERIK SCHONING
If the name Acura ZDX sounds familiar, that’s because the nameplate has been around before. Acura first debuted the ZDX in 2009 as a maverick blend of coupe, sedan, and SUV, an intriguing (albeit short-lived) experiment in unifying the best of different body types in one vehicle. The 2024 ZDX leans into the boundary-pushing spirit of its namesake, debuting as Acura’s first all-electric model.
The ZDX springs out of Acura’s Precision EV Concept and debuted in 2022 as a tangible representation of the company’s goals for an expanded electric roster and a zero-emission future. The concept drew inspiration from luxury Italian power boats, and that influence radiates throughout the ZDX’s sleek design. A low and wide SUV with a long wheelbase and high contrast surfacing, the ZDX is built on the idea that an electric vehicle can be a creative liberation for a manufacturer, an opportunity to rethink how vehicles can look.
The ZDX is available in both A-Spec and S-Spec configurations, the latter heralded by the company as “the most powerful and best-performing Acura SUV ever.” That’s thanks in large part to a performance-tuned dual motor AWD powertrain, which packs a meaty 500 ponies. The Type S also features significant handling upgrades, including a height-adjustable air suspension (a step up from the Type A’s fixed coil suspension), adaptive dampers, and top-of-the-line oversized Bembro front brakes with six-piston yellow calipers for a touch of flair. The Type S also boasts 22-inch machine-finished wheels, to date the largest ever on an Acura model.
The ZDX is built on GM’s Ultium battery platform, putting it in rare company with the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer, and Silverado EVs. As with the other Ultium-built EVs, the ZDX boasts over 325 miles of battery life and quick charge technology that will net over 80 miles in a quick ten minutes.
In the cockpit, Acura leans minimalist, opting for a more familiar yet refined experience, with 22 inches of high-definition digital screen real estate stealing the show. Other features, including a Bang & Olufsen bespoke audio system and a built-in Google system, keep pace with the high-end features EV enthusiasts have come to crave. But perhaps the most interesting new feature is the debut of the Acura Watch 360+, Acura’s first driver-assist technology that enables true hands-free driving on up to 400,000 miles of compatible roads.
Precision Acura of Princeton
3001 US 1, Lawrenceville
877.872.0338 / precisionacura.com