Acura ZDX

Last updated

Acura ZDX
2011 Acura ZDX -- NHTSA.jpg
2011 Acura ZDX Advance
Overview
Manufacturer Acura (Honda, first generation)
General Motors (second generation)
Production2009–2013
2024–present
Model years 2010–2013
2024–present
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size luxury crossover SUV
Body style

The Acura ZDX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with a sloping rear roofline developed by Honda for its upmarket brand Acura. The car was originally planned to be called the "MSX". [1] The ZDX debuted at the 2009 New York International Auto Show on April 8, 2009, as a 2010 model. The vehicle was also the first to be completely designed at Acura's southern California design studio in Torrance.

Contents

The original ZDX concept was penned by Michelle Christensen who labeled it a "4-door luxury sports coupe" and which Acura says "blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle." [2]

The ZDX features Acura's first six speed automatic transmission, advanced ventilated seats, as well as other luxury appointments. Although the ZDX shares a similar profile with the Honda Crosstour, [3] the two vehicles are not mechanically related: the latter is based on the Honda Accord, while the ZDX is based on the Honda Pilot/Acura MDX. [4]

The ZDX nameplate returned to Acura's lineup in 2024 as the brand's first electric vehicle. The new ZDX was co-developed with General Motors. [5]

Concept version

The ZDX concept Acura ZDX Concept 03.jpg
The ZDX concept

Teaser shots released by Acura in March 2009 indicated a coupe-like sloping roofline akin to that of the BMW X6. After naming the vehicle ZDX, Acura added the words "Luxury Four-Door Sports Coupe" to the caption for each picture. Moreover, it did not state the vehicle as a crossover or an SUV. [6] The automaker translated the designers renderings closely into production form.

First generation (YB1; 2009)

First generation
2010 Acura ZDX Advance -- NHTSA 2.jpg
Overview
Model code YB1
Production2009–2013
Model years 2010–2013
Assembly Alliston, Ontario, Canada (HCM)
Designer Michelle Christensen [7]
Body and chassis
Layout Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related Acura MDX
Honda Pilot
Powertrain
Engine 3.7 L J37A5 V6 (gasoline)
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 108.3 in (2,751 mm)
Length192.4 in (4,887 mm)
Width78.5 in (1,994 mm)
Height62.8 in (1,595 mm)
Curb weight 4,452 lb (2,019 kg)
Chronology
Successor Acura RDX
Acura MDX

The production version of the Acura ZDX includes a 3,664 cc (3.664 L; 223.6 cu in) SOHC VTEC V6 all-aluminum engine rated 300 bhp (220 kW) at 6300 rpm and 270 lb⋅ft (366 N⋅m) at 4500 rpm, 6-speed automatic transmission, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), 19-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof with movable sunshades, hand-stitched leather interior, HandsFreeLink Bluetooth connectivity, power tailgate, and a high-powered audio system with CD player, AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio and USB audio interface with iPod integration. Sales began in winter 2009. [8] [9] [10]

Acura ZDX 2009-2013 Acura ZDX rear 4.6.18.jpg
Acura ZDX

The Technology Package adds the Navigation System with voice recognition, an Acura/ELS Surround premium audio system and a new multi-view rear camera. Advance Package adds blind spot monitoring system, Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), which brought multiple modes of suspension firmness and response using electronically controlled Magneto-Rheological shock absorbers.

For 2013, Acura sold the ZDX in only one trim level. Acura cut costs by eliminating CMBS, ACC and IDS and replaced them with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), redesigned front grille, integrated parking sensors, power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors, and new dark accents for the wheels. This resulted in a lower retail price than the previous year's Advance model.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel consumption estimates for all models are 16 mpgUS (15 L/100 km; 19 mpgimp) in the city, 22 mpgUS (11 L/100 km; 26 mpgimp) on the highway and 19 mpgUS (12 L/100 km; 23 mpgimp) combined.

Discontinuation

The ZDX was discontinued after the 2013 model year due to poor sales, and in a statement from Honda, "as the Acura brand sharpens its focus on new models and core products." [11] The ZDX was the rarest of US-manufactured Acura offerings, with a total of 7,191 vehicles produced and sold in North America.

Safety

NHTSA 2012 Acura ZDX: [12]
Overall:Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg
Frontal Driver:Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg
Frontal Passenger:Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
Side Driver:Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg
Side Passenger:Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg
Side Pole Driver:Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg
Rollover:Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg / 13.0%

Sales

Calendar yearUS Sales
200979 [13]
20103,259
20111,564
2012775 [14]
2013362
201478
20152

Second generation (2024)

Second generation
2024 Acura ZDX Type S in Cosmic Black Metallic, front right, 2024-11-06.jpg
2024 Acura ZDX Type S
Overview
ProductionMarch 2024 – present
AssemblyUnited States: Spring Hill, Tennessee (Spring Hill Manufacturing)
Body and chassis
Layout
Platform GM BEV3
Related
Powertrain
Electric motor Permanent magnet motor
Power output
  • 358 hp (363 PS; 267 kW) (A-Spec RWD)
  • 490 hp (497 PS; 365 kW) (A-Spec AWD)
  • 500 hp (507 PS; 373 kW) (Type S AWD)
Battery 102 kWh Ultium lithium-ion
Electric range Up to 278–313 mi (447–504 km) EPA
Plug-in charging
  • 190 kW (DC)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 121.8 in (3,094 mm)
Length197.7 in (5,022 mm)
Width77.0 in (1,956 mm)
Height64.4 in (1,636 mm)
Curb weight 5,421–6,052 lb (2,459–2,745 kg)

Acura unveiled the all-electric ZDX in August 2023. The first EV in Acura's lineup, the new ZDX is co-developed using General Motors' Ultium vehicle architecture that currently underpins the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV and the Honda Prologue, itself slated for a 2024 release. Similar to the Prologue, it shares many components with the Blazer EV, including the steering wheel, climate setting controls, and door handles. Additionally, it shares its powertrain with the Cadillac Lyriq.

Compared to the original ZDX, the 2nd generation ZDX has a more traditional roofline. The ZDX gains an A-Spec single-motor configuration, and a Type S performance variant, the latter of which is estimated to give 500hp, making it the most powerful SUV ever produced by Acura.

It is the first Acura to implement several technologies and features. The standard 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system marks the debut of Acura's partnership with the company. The infotainment system has Google Built-in, which is the first implementation of Android Automotive in an Acura, though it is a reskin of GM's version rather than the Honda developed version seen in the Accord. Additionally, the ZDX will debut a new hands-free highway driving assistance system called AcuraWatch 360+ with Hands Free Cruise.

Production of the ZDX began in early 2024 with sales starting in May 2024. Through November 2024, ZDX sales totaled 5,543. [15]

Powertrain

The ZDX has three different powertrain options. First is the base single-motor, rear-wheel drive A-Spec which outputs 358 hp (267 kW; 363 PS) and 324 lb⋅ft (439 N⋅m) of torque. The all-wheel drive A-Spec has an additional motor powering the front wheels and makes 490 hp (370 kW; 500 PS) and 437 lb⋅ft (592 N⋅m) of torque. A higher output version of this setup is used in the Type S, where it produces a slightly increased 500 hp (370 kW; 510 PS) and a significantly higher 544 lb⋅ft (738 N⋅m) of torque.

All versions use GM's 102 kWh lithium-ion modular Ultium battery, which is also used in the Cadillac Lyriq. It allows the single-motor A-Spec model an EPA range of 313 miles (504 km), while the dual-motor version achieves 304 miles (489 km). The Type S, which has larger 22-inch wheels, achieves a lower 278 miles (447 km) of range. The ZDX can DC fast charge at up to 190kW, which Acura claims allows single motor models to add 81 miles (130 km) of range in 10 minutes, and can charge the battery from 20-80% in 42 minutes. An onboard AC charger allows for a claimed charging rate of 29.4 miles (47.3 km) per hour.

All versions have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lb (1,600 kg).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura</span> Luxury and performance vehicle brand by Honda

Acura is the luxury and performance division of Japanese automaker Honda, based primarily in North America. The brand was launched on March 27, 1986, marketing luxury and performance automobiles. Acura sells cars in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and Kuwait. The company has also previously sold cars in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Russia, and Ukraine. Plans to introduce Acura to the Japanese domestic market in the late 2000s did not eventuate due to the financial crisis of 2007–2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infiniti</span> Japanese luxury car brand, a subsidiary of Nissan

Infiniti is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation. The brand began on November 8, 1989, initially in North America. The marketing network for Infiniti vehicles included dealers in over 50 countries in the 2010s. As of 2020, there were 25 markets served by new car dealers, primarily North America, China, Taiwan, and the Middle East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura TSX</span> Compact executive car

The Acura TSX is a compact executive car manufactured by Honda and sold through its Acura division from 2003 to 2014. The TSX spanned two generations, both derived from the corresponding Japanese/European versions of the Honda Accord, which were more compact and sporting-oriented than their larger North American counterpart. The latter Accord platform was also used for the Acura TL, which slotted above the TSX in Acura's lineup. All TSXs were built in Sayama, Saitama, Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadillac Escalade</span> Full-size luxury SUV manufactured by General Motors

The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed by their luxury division Cadillac. It was the luxury brand's first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to an influx of new luxury SUVs in the late 1990s such as the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Range Rover, Lexus LX, and (especially) Ford's 1998 debut of the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved. The Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas. The term "escalade" refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege towers. More generally, it is a French word which is the noun-equivalent form of the French verb escalader, which means "to climb or scale".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura TL</span> Motor vehicle

The Acura TL is a car that was manufactured by Acura, the North American luxury division of Honda. It was introduced in 1995 to replace the Acura Vigor and was badged for the Japanese-market from 1996 to 2000 as the Honda Inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the Honda Saber. The TL was Acura's best-selling model until it was outsold by the MDX in 2007. In 2005, it ranked as the second best-selling luxury sedan in the United States behind the BMW 3 Series, but sales decreased after the 2008 model year. Four generations of the Acura TL were produced, with the final fourth generation TL premiering in 2008 as a 2009 model and ending production in 2014, when it was replaced together with the TSX by the TLX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura MDX</span> Mid-size luxury crossover SUV

The Acura MDX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by the Japanese automaker Honda under its luxury Acura division since 2000. The alphanumeric moniker stands for "Multi-Dimensional" luxury. It has ranked as the second-best selling mid-size luxury SUV after the Lexus RX in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura RL</span> Motor vehicle

The Acura RL is a full size luxury car that was manufactured by the Acura division of Honda for the 1996–2012 model years over two generations. The RL was the flagship of the marque, having succeeded the Acura Legend, and was replaced in 2013 by the Acura RLX. All models of the Legend, RL and RLX lines have been adapted from the Japanese domestic market Honda Legend. The model name "RL" is an abbreviation for "Refined Luxury."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura Legend</span> Motor vehicle

The Acura Legend is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Honda from Japan. It was sold in the U.S. and Canada under Honda's luxury brand, Acura, from 1985 until 1995. It was the first flagship sedan sold under the Acura nameplate, until being renamed in 1996 as the Acura 3.5RL. The 3.5RL was the North American version of the KA9 series Honda Legend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Pilot</span> Mid-size crossover SUV

The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating manufactured by Honda since 2002. Primarily aimed at the North American market, the Pilot is the largest SUV produced by Honda. Pilots are currently manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama, and the Pilot was produced in Alliston, Ontario until April 2007. The first generation Pilot was released in April 2002 as a 2003 model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura RDX</span> Compact luxury crossover SUV

The Acura RDX is a compact luxury crossover SUV produced by Acura, a luxury vehicle division of Honda, as the second crossover SUV offering from the brand after the mid-size MDX. Since it was introduced, it has shared its platform with the Honda Civic and CR-V.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura CSX</span> Motor vehicle

The Acura CSX is Acura's subcompact executive car exclusively designed for the Canadian market. Like the Acura EL, it was only available in Canada and built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. For the 2013 model year, the ILX was introduced as the CSX's replacement and is available in both the United States and Canada.

Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) is a full-time, fully automatic, all-wheel drive traction and handling system, which combines front-rear torque distribution control with independently regulated torque distribution to the left and right rear wheels. This way the system freely distributes the optimum amount of torque to all four wheels according to the driving conditions. The system was announced in April 2004, and was introduced in the North American market in the second generation 2005 model year Acura RL, and in Japan as the fourth generation Honda Legend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Accord (North America eighth generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The North American eighth generation Honda Accord is a mid-size car introduced in August 2007 for the 2008 model year. It is also marketed in parts of Asia and Australasia, and as the Honda Inspire in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Crosstour</span> Motor vehicle

The Honda Crosstour is a mid-size crossover SUV with a sloping rear roofline manufactured by Japanese automaker Honda. It is based on the North American eighth-generation Accord. Sales began in November 2009 for the 2010 model year, and the vehicle was discontinued after the 2015 model year due to slow sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura TLX</span> Compact luxury sedan

The Acura TLX is a four-door entry-level luxury sedan sold by Acura, a luxury division of Honda, since 2014. It is the successor to both the TL and TSX models. As of 2021, the discontinuation of the RLX leaves the TLX as the flagship sedan in Acura's lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadillac Lyriq</span> Battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV

The Cadillac Lyriq is a battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac division of General Motors. As Cadillac's first fully electric vehicle, and the first GM production vehicle using the BEV3 platform, the Lyriq introduces a new version of GM's Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coupe SUV</span> Style for motor vehicle

A coupe SUV is a type of sport utility vehicle with a sloping rear roofline similar to those of fastbacks or Kammbacks. The sloping roofline is adopted to offer a styling advantage compared to its standard SUV counterpart, which helps increase profit margins as manufacturers are able to raise the price by marketing it as a more premium model. Since all coupe SUVs ever produced are of the crossover variety, coupe SUVs may also be called "coupe crossovers" or "coupe crossover SUVs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultium</span> EV battery and motor architecture

Ultium is an electric vehicle battery and motor architecture developed by General Motors. It is being deployed for battery electric vehicles from General Motors portfolio brands along with vehicles from Honda and Acura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors BEV3 platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

The GM BEV3 platform is a dedicated electric vehicle architecture or platform developed by General Motors. It is the third-generation electric vehicle platform by GM, succeeding the BEV2 platform. It is categorized as a skateboard platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Prologue</span> Battery electric mid-size crossover SUV

The Honda Prologue is a battery electric mid-size crossover SUV jointly developed by Honda and General Motors that is marketed in North America. Announced in October 2022 with sales starting in March 2024, it is Honda's first major electric vehicle following a number of low volume battery electric vehicles previously sold by Honda in North America, including the Honda Clarity, Honda Fit, and the experimental Honda EV Plus. Based heavily on the Chevrolet Blazer EV, the Prologue is comparable in size with the ICE-powered Passport.

References

  1. Hellwig, Ed (March 30, 2009). "2009 New York Auto Show: 2010 Acura ZDX Now Official". Blogs.edmunds.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  2. "Acura ZDX prototype". Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2009. Acura ZDX prototype: The dynamic ZDX is the first car styled start-to-finish at Acura's new design studio in Torrance. Not a bad first effort.
  3. Edmunds, Dan (May 2010). "2010 Acura ZDX: Suspension Walkaround". Archived from the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  4. Alterman, Eddie (August 2009). "2010 Acura ZDX". Car and Driver . Retrieved September 2, 2016. ... seats two to three fewer occupants than the MDX and Honda Pilot SUVs on which it's based.
  5. Posky, Matt (August 19, 2022). "Acura ZDX Returning As Brand's First EV". The Truth About Cars . Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  6. "Acura ZDX | Future Vehicles". Acura.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  7. "Acura ZDX prototype". Roadandtrack.com. April 8, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
  8. Abuelsamid, Sam (July 20, 2009). "Officially Official: Acura unveils 2010 ZDX crossover". Autoblog.com. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  9. Abuelsamid, Sam (August 17, 2009). "Acura drops more details and pics aplenty of the new ZDX". Autoblog.com. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  10. "First Look: 2010 Acura ZDX, On Sale This Winter". Blogs.cars.com. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  11. "2013 Acura ZDX Luxury Crossover To Get Numerous Enhancements in its Final Model Year" . Retrieved October 10, 2012. The innovative and stylish Acura ZDX crossover vehicle, introduced in 2009, will receive numerous styling and technology enhancements for the 2013 model year, which will be the final year on the market for ZDX as the Acura brand sharpens its focus on new models and core products, the company announced today.
  12. "Ratings". NHTSA. June 10, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  13. "Honda Media Newsroom - Headlines - American Honda December Sales Up 25.5 Percent". Hondanews.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  14. "Honda Media Newsroom - Headlines - American Honda Posts Best Annual Sales Result Since 2008". Hondanews.com. January 3, 2013. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  15. AcuraConnected (November 1, 2024). "Acura November 2024 Sales Report". Acura Connected. Retrieved December 9, 2024.