Acura’s accelerated path to a 100% electrified lineup got its global debut at several events during Monterey Car Week earlier in the week. The all-electric ZDX SUV marks a critical initial step, thanks in part to the sharing of General Motors’ Ultium platform that underpins EVs like Cadillac’s Lyriq.

The arrival of the ZDX “signals our transition to a zero-emissions future and demonstrates our commitment to Precision Crafted Performance in the electrified era,” said Emile Korkor, Assistant Vice President of Acura National Sales.

The base 2024 ZDX A-Spec will be offered in both single-motor, rear-wheel-drive, and dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configurations with an expected starting price in the $60,000 range. The 373-kW Type S version, the most powerful and best-performing Acura SUV ever, will feature a performance dual-motor AWD powertrain and is expected to start in the $70,000 range.

All ZDX sales will take place through an “omnichannel” digital sales process to ensure a simple and intuitive shopping experience from home or at an Acura dealership. Pre-sale activities will start later this year, with the first deliveries expected in early 2024. Interested customers can sign up at https://www.acura.com/EarlyAccessZDX to get early access to information and details on reserving a new ZDX from their dealer.

 

Precision EV design

Exterior and interior styling was led by a team at the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, marking the production debut of the exterior design direction introduced on the Precision EV Concept at Monterey Car Week last year.

The brand describes the design as low and wide with a sleek silhouette, long wheelbase, and high contrast surfacing. The vehicle is 197.7 in (5022 mm) long, 77 in (1955 mm) wide, and 64.4 in (1635 mm) tall on a 121.8-in (3093-mm) wheelbase—within an inch of the same Cadillac Lyriq dimensions.

Distinct details include the evolution of Acura’s signature front fascia, with the brand’s Chicane DRLs, Jewel Eye LED headlights, and Diamond Pentagon with 3-D embossed diamond pattern and illuminated surround. The Type S debuts an all-new Acura color called Double Apex Blue Pearl, which also was previewed on the Precision EV Concept.

“As Acura moves into an exhilarating, electrified future, we will continue to push the forward-thinking design and proportions of our products as we take full advantage of the increased styling and packaging freedom EVs offer,” said Dave Marek, Acura’s Executive Creative Director. “Embracing that creative liberation, our team was energized designing ZDX, Acura’s new modern expression of performance.”

Working from the state-of-the-art Ultium platform means the ZDX has a flexible battery architecture that provides a low center of gravity and near 50/50 weight distribution. Acura engineers tuned the multi-link front and rear suspension to deliver a premium driving experience, performance, and class-leading refinement.

The base 254-kW A-Spec and high-performance Type S share a 102-kW·h battery pack and a maximum towing capacity of 3500 lb (1587 kg). Based on internal testing, expected combined (city/highway) EPA driving ranges are 325 mi (523 km) for the single-motor A-Spec, 315 mi (507 km) for the A-Spec dual-motor configuration, and 288 mi (463 km) for the Type S.

The A-Spec chassis has a multi-link, fixed coil suspension with “amplitude reactive” dampers and 20 x 9 aluminum wheels with 265/50R20 all-season tires.

The Type S significantly enhances the performance driving experience, including acceleration, braking, and turning. Drivers can customize the driving experience with multiple drive modes including Sport for maximum acceleration and response. The chassis adds height-adjustable air suspension, performance adaptive dampers, and large 15.6-in Brembo front brakes with six-piston yellow calipers. Its machine-finished wheels are 2 in bigger in diameter at 22 x 9.5, the largest ever for an Acura model, with wider 275/40ZR22 self-sealing tires. Available high-performance summer tires come with gloss-black wheels to further increase Type S performance capabilities.

Google and Bang & Olufsen inside

Inside, the ZDX features a driver-oriented cockpit with high-end materials and a standard 11-in digital cockpit driver information cluster and a 11.3-in center information touchscreen interface. Leading-edge human-machine interfaces are provided by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and Acura’s first integration of Google built-in for connectivity.

Standard across the lineup will be apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. Maps can be displayed on either screen with sophisticated route planning and recommended charging stations to optimize travel time. It can estimate the charging time required to reach a destination and can initiate preconditioning of the EV battery to reduce charging time when the destination is a DC fast-charging station.

The ZDX is the first Acura to benefit from a new collaboration with Harman International’s Bang & Olufsen aimed at elevating the in-vehicle audio experience of not only the ZDX but also the entire Acura lineup in coming years. Standard on all models, the system has 18 speakers, including four in the headliner, 14 channels, and a subwoofer. The system uses the latest 3D Sound Control and exclusive Beosonic and Acoustic Lens technology.

The Beosonic one-touch sound control interface will allow users to create a personal in-car audio experience with four distinct audio moods: Bright, Energetic, Warm, and Relaxed. The Acoustic Lens uniformly disperses high frequencies horizontally at 180 degrees while limiting vertical reflections, improving the overall sense of space and realism for all passengers. The brushed aluminum speaker grilles come laser etched with the Bang & Olufsen logo to add to the ZDX’s premium interior design.

The standard AcuraWatch suite of safety and driver-assist technologies includes Acura’s first applications of rear cross-traffic braking and blind zone steering assist. With the new 360+ version of the system, the Type S introduces Acura Hands-Free Cruise advanced driver assistance system technology on up to 400,000 mi (644,000 km) of compatible roads and Automatic Parking Assist for parallel parking.

 

Charging made easier

Acura aims to make it easy for ZDX customers to select, order, and install a charger in their homes and to find and use available public chargers on the way to destinations.

Acura Home Electrification is an online marketplace that connects ZDX users with a network of pre-vetted local installers through expert energy advisors to help clients select the home charging solution that best fits their needs.

For charging on the go, owners can use the Acura smartphone app to find and connect to charging stations nationwide with access to more than 90% of the existing DC fast-charge networks. All payment processing is conducted in the app at any of the supported charging networks. DC fast charging is at rates up to 190 kW, with the 102-kW·h lithium-ion battery pack in A-Spec rear-wheel drive gaining an estimated 81 mi (130 km) of range in about 10 min.

Starting in the summer of 2024, Acura EV users will have access to a leading high-speed brand-neutral charging network in the U.S. and Canada as a part of a joint venture among seven major automakers. The network will ultimately be one of the largest in the region, targeting at least 30,000 high-powered charge points by 2030 accessible to EVs from any automaker.

 

Tip of the spear

The ZDX will benefit from fast and secure over-the-air software updates to key vehicle computer modules to enhance functionality and capability. Acura says it “will serve as the tip of the spear for digitalization” at parent American Honda, with 100% of Acura EV sales taking place online, starting in early 2024 with the ZDX.

The EV spear might soon get sharper, as Acura gave enthusiasts an unexpected sneak peek at its latest Electric Vision at Monterey. The surprise reveal followed the world debut of the ZDX.

The maker of the discontinued NSX supercar might soon have its supercar replacement if the design study created by the Acura Studio in Los Angeles is any indication. Very little detail could be seen in media for the low-slung car, but its striking neon green lighting signature is said to further explore the future evolution of Acura’s design language as the performance brand transitions to a zero-emissions future.

“This latest expression of an all-electric high-performance model is inspiring everyone in our studio to push the boundaries, and we wanted to share the fun with our Acura fans,” concluded Marek.