2024 Acura ZDX Solid Entrant in Premium BEV Segment

ACCORD, NY – Honda and Acura are best known for engineering vehicles with outstanding internal-combustion engines and hybrid propulsion systems. They are late to the battery-electric segment, but now are rolling out a handsome duo of midsize BEV 2-row crossovers, the Honda Prologue, introduced earlier this year and built on General Motors’ Chevrolet Blazer Ultium EV platform and its cousin, the Acura ZDX, a premium, high-performance crossover built on the Cadillac Lyriq Ultium platform.

Platform sharing is a time-honored strategy for cutting costs and speeding product development times. It can lead to cookie-cutter products, but that is not the case with Honda and Acura.

WardsAuto already reviewed the Prologue so we spent most of our time test driving the exciting, high-performance ZDX Type S – billed as the best-performing Acura SUV ever – on a 100-mile (161-km) trek from the hectic streets of New York City to upstate New York’s beautiful country roads.

Even though the ZDX and Lyriq are based on the same platform and share the same 102-kWh battery pack, they are not clones.

The ZDX is available in several configurations: the A-Spec, a 358-hp single-motor rear-wheel-drive version with 324 lb.-ft. (439 Nm ) of torque and 313 miles (504 km) of range starting at $64,500; a dual-motor A-Spec with 490 hp and 437 lb.-ft. (592 Nm) of torque with a range of 304 miles (489 km) priced at $68,500; and the dual-motor Type S with 499 hp, 544 lb.-ft. (738 Nm) of torque and a range of 278 miles (447 km) priced at $73,500 (all prices before $7,500 EV tax credit.)

ZDX exterior stands out with bright colors, sleek lines, big wheels.

The top-of-the-line ZDX Type S sits in a sweet spot between higher-priced BEV competitors with more power and range – such as the $87,100 BMW iX xDrive 50 – or with more rear-seat legroom, in the case of the $89,500 Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC.

The ZDX’s less expensive competitors include the $64,430 Lexus RZ 450e and the $66,450 Genesis Electrified GV70, which are both strong products but offer significantly less power and range.

The Type S is not the fastest midsize BEV crossover on the block, but performance still is exhilarating, hitting 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h).

Handling is tight and responsive on curvy mountain roads despite the vehicle’s curb weight of 6,000 lbs. (2,722 kg), thanks to the ZDX’s low center of gravity, 50/50 weight distribution, 3-mode air suspension system with adaptive dampers and the stopping power of its bright yellow 6-piston Brembo brakes.

Using a toggle switch by your left knee, you can change between four drive modes: Normal, Sport, Individual and Snow that can raise or lower ride height. One-pedal regenerative braking can be adjusted by pressing an icon on the center touchscreen.

Vehicle Design

Overall, the design of the ZDX is nicely sorted, with clean exterior lines, bold contrasting colors and an airy minimalistic interior you would expect in a premium BEV – except there are lots of handy knobs and buttons within easy reach of the driver.

ZDX development leader John Hwang says the ZDX was designed at the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, with details including the evolution of Acura’s signature front fascia, with the brand’s chicane daylight running lights, Jewel Eye LED headlights and a seamless pentagon with 3-D embossed diamond pattern and illuminated surround. 

Hwang says designers also used 3D virtual reality technologies to collaborate with design teams in Japan on exterior and interior designs, materials, colors and rear-seat legroom early in the development process.

The ZDX is about the same length as the MDX, Acura’s conventional CUV powered by a 355-hp V-6, but it is nearly 3 ins. (762 mm) lower and the wheels are pushed out to the vehicle’s corners to create a wheelbase that is 8 ins. (20 cm) longer than the MDX’s.

Yellow Brembo front brake calipers are showstoppers.

Parked side-by-side, the ZDX and Cadillac Lyriq (we just happened to pull up next to one in a parking lot) share the same silhouette with similar lines and rearward sloping roof, but their dimensions are slightly different and the Lyriq clearly is designed as a luxury BEV while the ZDX has a performance-oriented personality with different brakes, suspension and interior along with much bolder colors and aggressive wheel designs and chrome accents on the exterior.

Interior Design and Comfort

The interiors of the ZDX and Lyriq platforms are vastly different. Most notably, the Lyriq comes with an imposing 33-in. (84-cm) high-resolution touchscreen, with 9K resolution capability. It looks like one giant screen, but it is actually three separate screens connected under the same piece of curved glass.

The Acura has an 11-in. (28-cm) display in front of the driver and an 11.3-in. (29-cm) sideways-mounted center touchscreen that features the first integration of Google built in as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

ZDX Interior totally different from Cadillac Lyriq platform mate.

Cockpit materials create a sports car ambiance with lots of real aluminum trim and contrasting piping and stitching.

Audio systems also are different. The ZDX features an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen system while the Lyriq has a 19-speaker AKG Studio system. However, the ZDX does have a hands-free driving system called AcuraWatch 360 that is based on GM’s Super Cruise system.

The Benefits of Platform Sharing

It’s not clear how long this collaboration between Honda and GM will last. Honda is planning a massive project in Ohio to build a family of all-new battery electric vehicles – seven of which will be introduced by 2030, including a Saloon coupe in 2026 followed by five various-size SUVs and a sedans.

But right now, the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX are being launched with good reviews and 

GM’s plants in Spring Hill, TN, and Ramos Arizpe Mexico are humming with new work.