Acura ZDX Reviews

[TSX69]

1st Test: 2010 Acura ZDX

Super Looking All-Wheel Drive
September 23, 2009
/ By Ron Kiino
/ Photography by Brian Vance

Whether you like the daring curves of Acura's all-new ZDX crossover, there's no denying that there is something super about its shape -- it stands out among today's array of sport/utilities like an Armani suit at 24 Hour Fitness. While one editor thought the ZDX resembled a "Mitsubishi's Dakar-racing Pajero Evo mated with a TL," an overwhelming majority of our team was drawn to this audacious Acura, especially its blacked-out all-glass roof, accentuated fenders, and hidden door handles just fore the C-pillar. "Calling the ZDX distinctive is an understatement," says associate Web producer Carlos Lago. "It looks otherworldly. It's the best looking vehicle in Acura's camp -- and I mean that as a compliment. Love the view from the rear. Its strong, wide shoulders give a dominant, purposeful shape." Editor at large Arthur St. Antoine says, "I'll admit it: I was taken aback -- no, shocked -- by my first sight of the ZDX in the metal. This thing is out there-to my eye, way edgier and more futuristic-looking than the X6. But the more I looked, the more I found the ZDX...interesting. Even...stunning." Sure, the ZDX sports Acura's signature and controversial can-opener grille that we've ridiculed on the TL, TSX, et al, but on this bigger, fastback sport/ute, it works -- at least more so than on the brand's sedans.

We experienced similar fuzzy feelings from behind the wheel. Slide into this so-called "four-door sports coupe" -- watch your head, because the sloping roofline is lower than you expect, especially when entering the back seat -- and you're treated to the most elegant cabin in a luxury Honda to date. A leather-stitched dash? You bet. Leather-stitched door panels, too? Why not. Even the cargo area is lined with premium loop-style carpet that wouldn't look out of place in a Beverly Hills living room. Speaking of the cargo area, it features side panels than can be niftily detached, allowing for such long, bulky objects as golf bags. Our top-of-the-line test vehicle, equipped with the available Advance Package, also included ventilated front seats, blind-spot warning system, adaptive cruise control, Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), and Acura's new Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), which allows for adjusting the dampers between comfort and sport modes. Lest we forget, the Advance Package encompasses everything in the available Technology Package -- ELS premium audio, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, backup camera, and navigation with traffic and weather updates.

Step on the throttle and turn the fat-rimmed three-spoke leather-wrapped wheel, and those fuzzy feelings are quickly transfused with adrenaline. Underhood resides a 3.7-liter single-cam V-6 that routs 300 horses and 270 pound-feet through a new six-speed automatic and Acura's signature "Super Handling" all-wheel-drive system. Zero to 60 takes just 6.5 seconds and lateral grip, at 0.83 g, falls right in sport-sedan territory. Depending on how you set the IDS, the ride can be tuned from sporty firm to tautly supple. And even with our lead foots spurring it along, the ZDX delivered 17.1-mpg observed fuel economy.

While its most direct competitor, the 300-horse twin-turbo BMW X6 xDrive 35i, is quicker to 60 (5.9 seconds) and around the skidpad (0.87 g), the ZDX is more fun to drive. The reason, unsurprisingly, is weight. At 4445 pounds, the ZDX is no bantam, but it tips the scales with 540 fewer pounds than a comparably equipped X6. Sure, the BMW's twin-turbo I-6 and nifty xDrive all-wheel drive make it quick in a straight line and around a circle, but it can't cheat the laws of physics and mask 4985 pounds when tackling a twisty road. What about the Infiniti FX? Yes, in terms of test numbers and road manners, the lighter 4293-pound FX35 AWD is more akin to the ZDX, scooting to 60 in 6.1 seconds and around the skid pad with 0.82 g of lateral grip. Nevertheless, while it's a looker, the FX doesn't wear the shock-and-awe lines of the ZDX, nor is it as fun to drive, lacking the Acura's utter sure-footedness.

Then there's the value proposition. A base ZDX, which comes standard with 19-inch wheels, Xenon headlamps, leather, power/heated front seats, power moonroof and tailgate, XM satellite radio, and Bluetooth, should start in the neighborhood of $44,000. A base X6, which offers heated front seats, power tailgate, satellite radio, and Bluetooth as options, opens at $56,725. When similarly equipped, the Acura should represent a $10,000-$15,000 savings compared with the BMW. And the Infiniti? An FX35 AWD starts at $44,465 and, unlike the Acura, doesn't come standard with Bluetooth, 19-inch wheels, or paddle shifters. Tart up an FX to mimic a ZDX with the Advance Package, and you're looking at a $50,000-plus crossover.

Of course, the ZDX isn't perfect. A couple demerits worth mentioning are the challenging ingress/egress, a cramped back seat (it offers less headroom and legroom than in a Mazda RX-8), and somewhat compromised cargo capacity, which, at 26.3 cubic feet, is less than in the stubbier and narrower Audi Q5. That said, Acura isn't marketing the ZDX as a family transporter; rather, it's a "passionate getaway" car for two adults. So if you need a rig for hauling the spouse and kids, Acura will gladly point you in the direction of the RDX and MDX. Otherwise, opt for the ZDX. No other Acura is as engaging to drive or scintillating to behold -- period.

[TSX69]

Acura ZDX in the Living Metallic Brown Flesh

The Acura ZDX press drive's going on in Manhattan today. We'll have more on that later. For the moment, feast your eyes on the mega-gallery of brown metal flesh — and the nicest Acura interior ever — below the jump.

Although I didn't have a chance to drive the car — John's doing that as we speak — thanks to the nice PR folks, I did get a chance to sit inside the new big-assed Acura. The coolest feature I was able to quickly see inside is the center stack's big graphite black button-filled face plate. What's cool about that? Well, the buttons illuminate and glow upon need. So, for instance, if you're listening to the radio, the radio buttons are illuminated. HVAC on? The HVAC buttons are illuminated. All of it's pretty sweet. The leather's sumptuous-looking and rich in texture.

The back seat presents somewhat of a problem for anyone over, say, 5'10" — and the doorway (really, it's more like a hatch) — is somewhat claustrophobic with the easy-to-hurt-ones-ass door jamb readily accessible to smack your tailbone upon entry.

Still, the interior's hot — especially the dual-cockpit front seats — and the exterior? It don't look so bad up close. At least not nearly as bad as we'd initially thought upon the first look at the press shots.

More to come later.

[ch1zo]

I hate the direction Acura's going with this new grill they think looks good!!!

[TSX69]

2010 Acura ZDX Hits High Notes Despite Styling Compromises

By James R. Healey, USA TODAY

NEW YORK — Automakers say they are hearing this message from some important (well-heeled) shoppers: Give us the SUV's high seating position with such a nice view and handy cargo space and the foul-weather and bad-road capability that comes with all-wheel drive and ample ground clearance. But change the look, either to the mainstream appeal of a tailored sedan or the excitement of a sports coupe.

Replies so far include Toyota's Venza in the mainstream category and BMW's X6 in the coupe genre.

Come December, Honda's Acura luxury brand joins the fray with the 2010 ZDX.

Penned three years ago by Michelle Christensen — then 25, fresh out of design school and newly hired by Honda — ZDX's style is distinguished by a tucked and tailored roof covered in black glass panels and by rear-wheel bulges that would be striking even if the roof's taper did not accentuate them. It's three-dimensional drama. ZDX looks far less exciting in photos than on the road.

It's all but unique for a rookie designer to have sketches embraced by a car company and rendered almost literally.

ZDX is an Acura MDX crossover SUV underneath, though that's hard to believe because of the differences in looks, interiors and personalities. Same wheelbase and track width, similar suspension but retuned for ZDX, same engine. Transmission, developed for the ZDX, is shared, too, beginning with the 2010 MDX.

Acura views ZDX as a niche product: 6,000 sales the first year, maybe 10,000 in a hot year. Only way to make money on so few is such hardware sharing.

A morning in city traffic here, then a rural romp on parkways and lanes to the north, plus 250 hot-shoe highway miles back home to Virginia and a few more miles through suburban duty in two preproduction ZDXs left a crisp impression:

If you are willing to accept the compromises that come with the coupe styling — and coupes are all about style — ZDX is one terrific piece of work.

Acura says ZDX is meant not as a family vehicle, though it seats four or five adults. It's more for a couple with no kids at home and craving something exciting to see and drive. Able when necessary to tote back-seaters in relative comfort, but the front-seaters get the emphasis.

Compromises (as you'd find in any coupe, which typically is a two-door car with sleek styling):

•Awkward rear entry. There are back doors, but the low roofline means you'll duck and tuck like a suspect going into the back seat of a squad car.

Once in, leg and knee room are far better than suggested by the 31 inches of rear leg space in the specifications. That's due mainly to sculpting of the backs of the front seats. The curving roof, though, skirts the skull closely.

•Poor rear visibility. Fat rear roof pillars and a horizontal crossbar partway down the tailgate's glass panel mean you'll need the rear-view camera and the blind-spot warning system.

•Imperfect cargo space. To carry four golf bags, for instance, you remove side panels from the cargo area and put them under the cargo floor.

On the other hand, ZDX is:

•Exotic. That roofline, especially seen from above. And covering the roof in black glass, attached to a metal frame, is daring. On a black ZDX, the monochrome look is delectable.

A skylight covers both front and rear seats and includes a sliding sunroof over the front. The dashboard, including challenging convex surfaces, is covered in premium leather (inspired by leathered walls at the St. Regis hotel in San Francisco).

•Erotic. Dangerously close to a Cialis ad, Acura says ZDX is for couples who might like a weekend getaway to, uh, reconnect. Goes pretty much anywhere they'd like, any time they wish, Acura says.

The wide rear fenders are supposed to suggest wide, sexy shoulders, the automaker says, illustrating with a photo of a woman's shoulders graced only by narrow straps.

•Exciting. The 3.7-liter V-6 romps quickly up the rev range, catches a shrieking second wind between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm and the new-for-ZDX six-speed automatic snaps up to the next gear so quickly your senses almost don't notice.

The high-end model, Advance, has an adjustable suspension. The driver chooses "sport" for feisty moves or "comfort" when the road's a beast. Each setting automatically adjusts within a range. The test car with that system was a dream. Comfort was smooth, not sloppy; sport was firm, not harsh.

The less-than-handy configuration imposed by the dramatic style could be a turnoff, but those who can make allowances might find ZDX irresistible.

About the 2010 Acura ZDX

•What? Sleek, four-door, five-passenger, crossover SUV aimed at coupe lovers who don't need family-style passenger room but want the stance, capabilities of an SUV. To be marketed as a car but classed by the government as a truck.

•When? Mid-December.

•Where? Built at Alliston, Ontario.

•How much? Not set yet, but between the $41,000 MDX and $47,000 RL.

•What's the hardware? Acura MDX SUV chassis, retuned; 3.7-liter V-6 rated 300 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, 270 pounds-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm; new six-speed automatic; standard SH-AWD (Acura-speak for its performance-oriented "super-handling all-wheel drive); driver-selectable suspension (optional).

Rear camera with selectable views (normal, fish-eye, straight down); side-curtain air bags with separate chambers that inflate near the roof in the event of a rollover.

•How big? Midsize SUV outside, compact car inside. ZDX is 192.4 inches long, 78.5 in. wide, 62.8 in. tall on a 108.3-in. wheelbase. Passenger space is 91.2 cubic feet. Cargo space, 26.2 cu. ft. behind rear seat, 55.8 cu. ft. when the seat's folded.

Tows 1,500 lbs., weighs 4,424 lbs. to 4,462 lbs., depending on model.

•How thirsty? Rated 16 miles per gallon in town, 22 mpg on the highway, 18 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

Trip computers in the preproduction test vehicles showed 18.8 mpg and 19.8 mpg in two legs of brisk driving on rural parkways, 22 mpg in high-speed interstate highway driving, 14.2 mpg in spirited suburban use.

Burns premium, holds 21.7 gallons.

•Overall: Entertaining, exciting if judged (as Acura intends) as an all-weather, all-road sports sedan rather than as a family-oriented SUV.

[Age]

I'm glad somebody likes it.

[scratchieepants]

I can't believe how positive the reviews are, I totally expected, "omfg what a great interior, then vomit like responses to the exterior only".

[xjohnkdoex]

i never thought it was that ugly. it is pretty sleek for what it looks like. i just didn't really understand the need to make something in this segment. but what do i know. i don't run honda.

[scratchieepants]

Originally Posted by xjohnkdoex

i never thought it was that ugly. it is pretty sleek for what it looks like. i just didn't really understand the need to make something in this segment. but what do i know. i don't run honda.

Lowered with low profile tires with nicer rims, and it would improve a bit on the outside.

But goddamn the interior is super hot. I hope all Acura's come with a similar theme/option in the near future. Umm I mean their Tier 1 status goal looks on the mark inside... outside... well we'll see.

[ChinchillaX]

I am not liking this ZDX nor that Crosstour. However, there still will be people finding these vehicles appealing, however, I and many others think they're ugly.

[TSX69]

2010 Acura ZDX 1st Drive

I keep getting an error message when I copy & paste the whole article so above is the link. It is yet another positive review --- this thing seems to be a winner in terms or reviews so far.

[TSX69]

2010 Acura ZDX 1st Drive

The new Acura ZDX may just be the best-looking new model of 2010. But its handling and performance prove it's more than a pretty face

By Thane Peterson

Editor's Rating: 4.5/5

The Good: Rakish styling, beautiful interior, sporty all-wheel-drive system

The Bad: Marginal rear seat, so-so fuel economy

The Bottom Line: A gorgeous new model aimed at affluent empty-nester couples

Up Front
What's the best-looking new model on the market this year? My vote could easily go to the all-new 2010 Acura ZDX, a rakish-looking crossover vehicle that Honda's (HMC) luxury car division describes as a "four-door sports coupe" (never mind that coupes, by definition, have two doors). The ZDX looks even better in reality than in photos. When I test-drove a couple of preproduction ZDXs through Manhattan recently, even jaded New Yorkers were stopping in their tracks and shouting questions about the new model, which will hit dealer showrooms in December.

The ZDX is designed mainly for affluent empty nesters, couples whose kids are grown and who no longer need the passenger capacity of a true SUV. It combines the good looks of a luxury coupe such as, say, a Mercedes CLS550 with enough luggage capacity to stow four golf bags behind its second row of seats.

The market for such vehicles will grow, Acura contends, "as the population matures, becoming couples again rather than large family units, and enjoying the fruits of their success through travel, second homes, and unique lifestyle activities." To put it more prosaically: As baby boomers age, Acura figures that a lot of active, affluent old geezers will be in the market for a vehicle that seems more stylish than an SUV but less sedate than a luxury sedan.

Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but the ZDX is expected to start at around $45,000, rising to perhaps $55,000 when you load it up with options. Its image is meant to be upscale and exclusive. Acura sees the ZDX competing with, in addition to the Mercedes CLS, such diverse models as Nissan's (NSANY) Infiniti FX35, BMW's (BMWG) X6, and the Porsche Cayenne. Acura only expects to sell about 6,000 ZDXs in 2010, and 8,000 to 10,000 annually in later years.

The ZDX is Acura's first truly North American model—engineered in Ohio, styled in California, and manufactured in Ontario, Canada. It has the oomph Americans like under its hood, provided by the same marvelous 3.7-liter, 300-horsepower V6 engine found in the Acura MDX SUV. Also in keeping with mainstream American tastes, the only available transmission is a six-speed automatic—though with a manual function for those who wish to do the shifting themselves, as well as the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that are now de rigueur on any North American model with pretensions to sportiness.

The ZDX's fuel economy—16 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway—is only slightly better than that of the '09 MDX and six-cylinder BMW X6 (15/20) and about the same as that of the Infiniti FX35 (16/23). However, it's markedly better than the six-cylinder Porsche Cayenne (14/16).

Behind the Wheel
The ZDX is meant to drive something like a conventional luxury car, and it comes close. The big difference is that the floor is a bit higher off the ground than a car's, giving the ZDX more of an SUV-like feel. The ZDX isn't intended to be superfast, but it's lighter and therefore somewhat quicker than the Acura MDX, which accelerates from zero to 60 in under eight seconds. That's plenty of speed for most people, and there's a ton of power when you punch the gas at highway speed. The cabin is luxury-car quiet.

I'm a big fan of Acura's new Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which comes standard on the ZDX.

The system (obviously) improves performance on snow and ice, but also dramatically improves the vehicle's handling during hard driving. It varies the distribution of torque between the vehicle's front and rear axles, and can shoot extra power to the outside rear wheel when you're going around a curve or corner. This dramatically improves grip and reduces understeer during hard driving. I tested the system in an Acura TL at the Pocono Raceway last year, and it really is remarkable. When your brain is screaming at you to hit the brakes, you can hit the gas instead and accelerate.

The ZDX's cabin is designed for owners who travel alone or with a spouse and only occasionally have adult rear-seat passengers. The rear doors are unusually narrow, with stylish recessed handles that are nearly invisible. That gives the vehicle a cool side profile, but makes getting in and out of the rear seats a chore. The rear seats also are too cramped to comfortably accommodate adults during long drives, partly because headspace is severely limited by the vehicle's radically sloping roofline. In a pinch, you could squeeze three adults into the back, but the seat is only really designed for two. Another inconvenience: There are no storage bins built into the rear doors.

The ZDX's interior is absolutely gorgeous, with a beautiful curved dash and soft, natural-grain leather throughout. I've driven numerous luxury cars, including many far more expensive than the ZDX, and I don't recall ever seeing interior leather with such a quality look and feel to it. Dual panoramic sunroofs give the cabin an open, airy feel and add to headspace when they're open. From the outside, the entire roof looks as though it's made of dark glass.

Luggage space behind the second row of seats is a sizable 26.3 cu. ft., expanding to 55.8 cu. ft. with the rear seats folded down. There's also a 2.2-cu.-ft. storage space under the rear deck. An innovative feature is that the side panels in the rear cargo area can be removed and stowed in the under-deck storage space. That makes the rear cargo area wide enough to accommodate golf bags laid down sideways (which is why four of them will fit in back). The rear seats fold down in a 60/40 pattern and there's a pass-through to accommodate skis when there are passengers in the rear seats.

Buy It or Bag It?
Although the ZDX is mainly aimed at couples whose kids are grown, it's stylish enough to appeal to some singles and roomy enough for families with one or two small kids. However, the vehicle's high price, tight rear-seat compartment, and lack of a third row of seats make it impractical for many families.

The ZDX's likely $50,000-or-so price tag makes it more expensive than the conventional Acura MDX SUV, which sold for an average of about $41,000 in '09, and the '09 Infiniti FX35, which averaged about 45 grand, according to the Power Information Network (which, like BusinessWeek, is a unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies (MHP)). The ZDX is in the same price range as an '09 Porsche Cayenne with a six-cylinder engine (average cost: $52,962).

The '09 BMW X6 with six-cylinder power cost far more than a ZDX, an average of $64,382, according to PIN. Ditto for the '09 Mercedes CLS550, which has a powerful 5.5-liter, 383-hp V8 engine and an average price of nearly $79,000.

With the exception of the Mercedes, however, the ZDX is better-looking than any of those models, in my opinion—both inside and out. If you don't do a lot of people-hauling and are in the market for a truly distinctive new vehicle, check it out.

[TSX69]

Acura's ZDX is $50,000 Velociraptor in Land of SUV Dinosaurs

Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Dude, the dinosaurs are dead. Which goes to show that all things must evolve in the face of cataclysmic change or, you know, die off for good. So it is with the auto industry and, more pointedly, sport utility vehicles.

A decade ago (akin to the Paleolithic era in swift-changing car years), 18-foot-long Suburbans and Excursions lumbered around our highways, slurping down petroleum and filling the air with emissions. Americans needed vehicles that could carry the entire family and the kitchen sink, plus be able to ford Donner Pass should the need arise.

Thankfully, the SUVlithic Age has (mostly) passed. Yet like crocodiles and other saurian holdouts who look similar to their prehistoric forebears, many sport utility vehicles look pretty much the same, too.

Now we’re told that a Darwinian evolution has arrived: Acura’s ZDX. A newer, smarter breed of SUV -- sorta, kinda, maybe.

The company has the audacity to call the ZDX a “four-door sports coupe,” a stretching of vernacular that might work for the Porsche Panamera, but not this vehicle. After all, it’s more than 5 feet tall and rides on the same platform as Acura’s regular ol’ SUV, the MDX.

A better description might be “an SUV with a coupe-like silhouette and sporting aspirations.”

While the ZDX may be less than an evolutionary leap forward, it does look sleeker and more agile than most of its blocky, shambling counterparts -- a velociraptor perhaps, in a world of brontosauruses.

Premium Gasoline
The vehicle is an all-wheel-drive, seats five in a pinch, and offers 55.8 cubic feet of storage with the second row of seats folded. Its 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway is more in line with SUVs of old than any new, advanced life form. And it needs premium gasoline, too.

The four-door will be in dealerships mid-December, carrying a luxury level of technologies, comforts and price. Acura says the price will be between the MDX and RL, so expect the new addition to start around $45,000, rising to $50,000 for the most popular model with the technology package. That puts it within range of other lither SUVs like the Infiniti FX, and some $10,000 less than the BMW X6, another SUV-cum-“coupe.”

For now, the ZDX will only be sold in North America, and Acura expects a volume of around 6,000 a year to begin. A niche player rather than a game changer.

So just how sporty is it? Well, the 3.7-liter V-6 with 300 horsepower sounds pretty good until you realize that the auto weighs 4,400-plus pounds. More disappointing is the miserly 270 pound-feet of torque available at 4,500 rpm. That’s simply not enough grunt when you need it, especially when you’re looking to surge into gaps on the highway.

Lazy Power
The six-speed automatic transmission takes a moment to drop to the gear below. Power comes on lazily. By then, the space you were hoping to shoot into has probably closed.

Buyers can opt for a system that can switch between sport and comfort settings. Sport tightens the steering and suspension noticeably and body roll is minimized. You can then truly appreciate the excellent all-wheel drive, which transfers torque to the outside wheels as you take curves.

Ultimately, this evolution is less a leap in function than in form. From many angles, the ZDX looks pretty terrific. (The fresh exterior was created by two young American designers, Michelle Christensen and Damon Schell, from the company’s Torrance, California, design studio.)

You’ll first notice the shape of the long roof, which is tallest at the point where the driver and front passenger sit, and then gracefully tapers as it extends to the rear.

Glass Roof
The black roof is constructed completely of glass from hood to bumper, and is only interrupted by two bisecting lines. The ZDX is most compelling from the rear three-quarters and back, where the extremely deep shoulders lend a sports-car look and shows off the width of the vehicle.

Even better is the complex interplay of tail lights, glass roof and the arc of the lift gate. It all fits neatly together like a geometric puzzle. The rear door handles are also integrated into the side windows, which is super cool.

Inside, that sloping roof means much less headroom in the rear. If you’re unlucky enough to be the middle rear passenger, I suggest you practice calling “shotgun” next time. (Still, the BMW X6 has buckets in front and back, so only seats four.) The front seats are extremely adjustable and upholstered in high-grade leather.

Generally the inside shows the same level of detail and care as the exterior. Acura and Honda excel at electronic comforts -- paddle shifters, a power tailgate, rear camera, and iPod and Bluetooth connectivity are standard. Navigation with traffic and weather features come with the technology package. The ability to switch to sport settings, a blind spot warning system and adaptive cruise control are included in the top-level “advance” package.

The ZDX is not the energy-efficient people mover of the future, but it is a step out of the primordial SUV ooze.

The 2010 Acura ZDX at a Glance

Engine: 3.7-liter V-6 with 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic.

Gas mileage per gallon: 16 city; 22 highway.

Price as tested: $52,000 (estimated).

Best feature: Emphasis on exterior design and craftsmanship.

Worst feature: Underpowered.

Target buyer: The people hauler who’s looking for an SUV with style.

(Jason H. Harper writes about autos for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

To contact the writer of this column: Jason H. Harper at Jason@JasonHharper.com

[TSX69]

2010 Acura ZDX Road Test

Our road test for the 2010 Acura ZDX includes a full evaluation of the 2010 Acura ZDX from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2010 Acura ZDX, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2010 Acura ZDX help you decide if a 2010 Acura ZDX is right for you.

ACCELERATION
Technology 6
Advance 6
Class Average 5.9
ZDX's V6 offers enough power for just about any situation; only long hill climbs fatigue it. The transmission is smooth and furnishes prompt downshifts.

FUEL ECONOMY
Technology 4
Advance 4
Class Average 3.5
No opportunity to measure. Acura recommends premium-grade gas.

RIDE QUALITY
Technology 6
Advance 6
Class Average 5.8
A ZDX with the standard suspension and 19-inch wheels provides the best results. The Advance Package includes driver-selectable Sport and Comfort suspension modes. Comfort softens the ride for better absorption; Sport mode delivers stiffer tuning, making some bumps jar.

STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
Technology 6
Advance 7
Class Average 5.4
Overall, ZDX is fairly car-like with well-checked body lean and decent cornering ability; it deftly handles narrow twisties. When selected, the Advance package's Sport suspension mode firms up the steering and provides crisper handling.

[TSX69]

QUIETNESS
Technology 7
Advance 7
Class Average 6.5
The cabin is impressively hushed and well isolated from wind and road noise. In certain driving conditions, low levels of tire thrum are present. ZDX's 3.7-liter V6 emits a fairly muted, but still sporty note on acceleration and fades during cruise.

CONTROLS
Technology 5
Advance 5
Class Average 5.5
The audio and climate controls are easy to use, but the sheer number of them takes some getting use to. The fact that the buttons are dark until the car is turned on only highlights the vast number of controls and cluttered look of the panel. The navigation screen is large, mounted high on the dashboard, and decently removed from glare. It is fairly simple to use and only absorbs iPod audio controls. The control nob, however, is mounted low near the center console, which forces eyes off the road until functions are mastered. iPod integration is nearly seamless, even custom playlists are easily controlled. The navigation system's Doppler-style real-time traffic function is neat. The multi-view camera's 180 degree view is very similar to the regular angle, and the top view displays a straight-down picture of the rear of the car. The Advance package's adaptive cruise control and blind-spot-detection systems are helpful tools. The blind-spot system illuminates an icon on the C-pillar rather than the side mirror, making it less distracting than other systems.

DETAILS
Technology 8
Advance 8
Class Average 6.6
The cabin is trimmed in top-notch materials, including supple leather with detail stitching. Non-leather surfaces are nicely grained, soft-touch plastics.

ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
Technology 7
Advance 7
Class Average 7
Front seat headroom is adequate for average-size testers, but those above 6 feet will need a bit more clearance. The seats are all-day comfortable, but taller occupants may need a longer seat for more thigh support. Thick C-pillars, a small rear window, and sharply raked roofline combine to impede visibility straight back and to the corners. The Advance Package's ventilated seats are a nice touch on a warm day, though the fan noise is louder than expected.

ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
Technology 5
Advance 5
Class Average 5.6
The sloped rear roofline cuts into headroom, but there's enough room for smaller adults; most everyone will require more legroom. The small second-row door opens wider than expected, but the opening is fairly narrow, hindering ingress and egress. The low roofline also requires some hunching to get into the backseat.

CARGO ROOM
Technology 8
Advance 8
Class Average 7.6
Small items storage is decent and comprised of a fairly shallow glovebox; a deep, two-tiered center console; and several small cubbies. The rear seats fold completely flat. The trunk features hidden side-panel and underfloor storage spaces.

VALUE WITHIN CLASS
Technology 7
Advance 7
Class Average 5.9
If standout styling is high on your list of attributes a car in this class must possess, move ZDX to the head of the class. With standard AWD and plenty of amenities, ZDX is a comfortable, capable choice, but lacks practicality with its small backseat and poor rear visibility. If you're looking for a sporty, yet practical SUV in this class, Acura's own MDX likely will better fit your needs.

Total Score
Technology 69
Advance 70
Class Average 65.3

[bluefang08]

Its said because I love the way the new Acura's drive and the way their interiors look and feel. But I just can't get over the outside styling. The grill is what really kills. On another note I don't really see the point of the ZDX just like I don't see the point in the X6. I have a feeling this isn't going to be a big seller for Acura. I think its good they are taking risks and sometimes they pay off (did for BMW although not everyone liked the bangle butt).