2024 Acura ZDX First Look Review: The Type S Goes Electric
The original Acura ZDX was one of the first coupe-style SUVs on the market when it arrived late in the 2000s, and the all-new mid-size ZDX you see here is also a significant arrival for Acura - but for entirely different reasons. This is the first-ever all-electric Acura, and it arrives with up to 500 horsepower in the case of the Type S and an expected range of up to 325 miles for the rear-wheel-drive A-Spec. With styling inspired by the Precision EV Concept, the new Acura ZDX electric SUV has a premium design that shouldn't scare away Acura loyalists. Sharing the same 102-kWh battery as the Cadillac Lyriq, the ZDX also carries a similar starting price to its related Cadillac rival.
When Is The 2024 Acura ZDX Coming Out?
With a release date for the new Acura ZDX SUV set for early in 2024, it will be arriving as the foundation for the brand's electric future. Reservations for the all-electric 2024 ZDX opened in December 2023, with deliveries to buyers in the USA starting in early 2024.
2024 Acura ZDX Price And Competition?
The price of the 2024 Acura ZDX starts at $64,500 for the single-motor A-Spec, increasing to $68,500 for the dual-motor version. The Type S has a starting MSRP of $73,500 while adding the Performance wheels and tires will increase that by $1,000. These prices exclude destination charges.
Among rivals, its pricing will overlap with the new Chevrolet Blazer EV, another vehicle relying on GM's Ultium batteries. The Blazer EV will cost at least $56,715, but a slightly cheaper model is coming later. Being a luxury automaker, customers may be more likely to cross-shop the ZDX with the Cadillac Lyriq, which begins at about $57,000 for the 2024 model.
New Acura ZDX Exterior And Colors
Clearly inspired by the Precision EV Concept, the exterior of the Acura ZDX has been toned down - but not to the extent that it can be called dull. The signature front fascia features Jewel Eye LED headlights and the familiar Chicane daytime running lights seen on other Acura models. This lighting signature is particularly striking in night-time footage and aptly resembles lightning strikes; it carries over to the taillights, too. On the nose, the Diamond Pentagon replaces a traditional grille and isn't obnoxiously oversized. The darkened pillars make the glasshouse appear as if it's floating over the broader lower body, a cool effect when combined with some of the vivid colors that are available.
While the A-Spec has 20-inch alloys, the Type S comes with 22-inch wheels - the largest ever equipped to an Acura model. The standard all-season tires can be replaced with high-performance summer tires wrapped around gloss-black wheels for the Type S.
At the back, the lower body juts out prominently from the rear window, which is set above broad taillight clusters with a curved lighting signature on the outer corners.
The full range of Acura ZDX colors will be available at a later stage, but we do know that the Type S debuts the new Double Apex Blue Pearl first seen on the Precision EV Concept. The Type S signature hue, Tiger Eye Pearl, will also be available.
Acura ZDX Dimensions
Classified as a mid-size crossover, the dimensions of the Acura ZDX EV are nearly identical to the Cadillac Lyriq's. In fact, the 2024 ZDX has an identical 121.8-inch wheelbase to the Lyriq. Length for the Acura is 197.7 inches, width is 77 inches, and the height is 64.4 inches.
No curb weight specs were supplied, but the dual-motor models will probably get close to the 5,800 or so pounds of the heaviest Lyriq models.
Acura ZDX Powertrain And Performance
Acura has referred to the ZDX as a performance SUV from the start, so we expect it to be quite a quick vehicle. The powertrain in the base Acura ZDX A-Spec will consist of a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive, producing an estimated 340 horsepower. A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version of the A-Spec will be available, but its outputs haven't been shared.
We know that the dual-motor AWD Type S will deliver an 'estimated' 500 hp, so this model should be capable of a 0-60 mph time of around 4.5 seconds if independent tests of the 500-hp Lyriq are anything to go by. The base model will take about a second or longer to do the same. All ZDX models will have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.
Whereas the A-Spec has a multi-link, fixed coil suspension, the Type S has a height-adjustable air suspension and high-performance adaptive dampers. This sporty variant will also have 15.6-inch Brembo front brakes with six-piston calipers.
The challenge for Acura will be to make the ZDX Type S not just rapid but engaging, often a challenge for fully electric cars that can feel rather clinical. The Precision EV Concept came with an Instinctive Drive mode that introduces racier instrumentation and lighting, but that may not be enough to convince enthusiasts. Acura did promise that its Type S EVs would be fun to drive, and the 50/50 weight distribution should help it achieve that goal.
Range, Charging, And Battery Life
A 102-kWh lithium-ion battery in the ZDX delivers a projected range of 325 miles for the single-motor A-Spec, 315 miles for the dual-motor A-Spec, and 288 miles for the Type S. DC fast charging at up to 190 kW will be possible; in the A-Spec RWD, around 81 miles of range can be added in 10 minutes.
EPA ratings and official MPGe specs will only be available at a later stage, but the ZDX should get close to the 88 MPGe combined of the Cadillac Lyriq.
Acura ZDX Interior And Cargo
More firsts await inside the Acura ZDX; this is the first interior from the company to implement Google built-in. That's just one aspect of a tech-laden, driver-focused interior featuring a combined 22 inches of screen real estate. This is split between the 11-inch Precision Cockpit Driver Information Cluster and the center 11.3-inch touchscreen interface.
Other features that will delight tech-savvy consumers include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a standard 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with 14 channels of amplification. Featuring a subwoofer, four speakers in the headliner, and Acoustic Lens Technology, it's a dream setup for audiophiles. The system also has a Beosonic one-touch sound control interface whereby users can create an in-car audio experience based on one of four audio moods: Bright, Energetic, Warm, and Relaxed. The brushed aluminum speaker grilles with a laser-etched Bang & Olufsen logo add another touch of flair to the interior.
The latest AcuraWatch driver-assistance suite includes rear cross-traffic braking, blind-zone steering assist, and rear pedestrian alert, the first time these features have appeared in an Acura product. The new AcuraWatch 360+ system, meanwhile, enables hands-free cruising in the Type S on up to 400,000 miles of compatible roads. This system includes automatic parking assistance, another Acura-first.
Acura didn't delve into detail about materials and comfort features, but we expect many premium fixtures, and the seats in the Acura ZDX pictured here have a light grey color with darker stitching. Sporty red ambient lighting has been applied to the interior, and it extends to the front cupholders. Another model is pictured with black upholstery with red stitching. The steering wheel also has sporty perforated grips. We appreciate that hard buttons and tactile dials have been retained for the climate control system.
No cargo space figures were supplied for the Acura ZDX, but it should match or surpass the 28 cubic feet behind the second row of the Lyriq. The rear seats will be able to tumble to increase cargo capacity considering how similar in size the two vehicles are.