2024 Acura ZDX: Introducing New Acura ZDX Electrified Performance Review

2024 Acura ZDX begins its journey into the future of electricity by reviving a name from its past: ZDX. Unlike the original ZDX, which debuted for the 2010 model year in a fastback style that is arguably ahead of its time, the new 2024 ZDX SUV is set to sport the more traditional two-box SUV shape.

The new SUV is previewed by the Precision EV Concept which debuted at Monterey Car Week 2022. The arrangement of the concept is attractive, with a floating roof, smooth body sides, and a flaming grille.

The interior features elements that we don’t think production cars would be able to do, including a narrow yoke-style steering wheel and a transparent infotainment system. On the practical side, ZDX is the product of a partnership between Acura’s parent company, Honda and General Motors; ZDX will use GM’s proprietary Ultium batteries.

Previous reports have said that Acura will be built alongside a Cadillac Lyriq SUV at GM Springhill, Tennessee assembly plant.

That gives us a clue as to what will drive the ZDX: a rear-mounted electric motor with the 340-hp base trim, with a possible 500-hp all-wheel drive variant offered as an upgrade—possibly wearing the S badge type.

The ZDX nameplate returns for the 2024 model year attached to Acura’s first all-electric SUV offering.

2024 Acura ZDX Reviews

We are starting to see the fruits of Honda and GM’s partnership behind the platform and Ultium batteries. Cadillac’s Lyriq, the first major SUV to get the Ultium treatment, shares a similar platform and is gaining fans for its power, subtlety, and style.

2024 Acura ZDX

We expect the 2024 Acura ZDX SUV to share some of that love. While we’ll have to wait until 2024 to see the ZDX on the road, it looks like Asur’s first EV is worth the wait.

The ZDX will be Asura’s first zero-emission SUV and the name pays homage to Asura’s previous model of the same name, which was the first vehicle to be laid out from the ground up at Acura Design Studio that opened in Los Angeles in 2007. But, more on that is below.

Regardless, Acura wants to be a fully electric brand and wants to get off to a good start, so we’re expecting big things from the new ZDX when it debuts.

ZDX is based on the Acura Precision EV concept. Precision EV previews Asur’s design language for first-generation electric vehicles. Everything about the concept says “I’m an electric car,” with almost no need for engine vents or other combustion engine cues. Instead, it was smooth and full of LED lights, and the traditional chrome Acura V grille was reorganized at the front with blue lights.

The only drawback in the Precision EV concept is the dopey steering yok e, not the steering wheel. It looks cool, but we hope (and hope) the production version will have a real steering wheel. But, the company says that it should have a lower driving position that evokes a race car while keeping the line of sight of an SUV.

For decades, the way to recognize a hot Acura was to use a Type S badge. While GM promises an SS version, for example, the Blazer EV shown above, with more than 500 horsepower, Acura looks set to use an extra battery pack for the Type S version of the new ZDX.

GM promised some zero to 60 times for the Blazer SS, and we expect the Type S to have similar capabilities.

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2024 Acura ZDX Refresh

One of the bravest Acura ever made has returned! Yes, the ZDX nameplate returns more than a decade after the Sportback SUV left the US market. Unlike the first-style SUV, the new 2024 ZDX won’t share much with MDX, and more importantly, it will be the brand’s first production electric car.

2024 Acura ZDX

We expect the ZDX’s 2024 design to be a more refined version of the Acura Precision EV concept, shown here.

The 2024 Acura ZDX owes its existence to the partnership Honda has with General Motors. Thanks to GM’s Ultium electric vehicle architecture, Acura will get a full-electric SUV in the form of a ZDX while Honda adds the Prologue to its lineup.

Given GM’s huge investment in electric technology over the years, this may not be a bad thing for Honda and Acura, brands that are lagging behind while other brands—such as Audi and BMW—offer gas-fired and electric-powered vehicles.

Before Acura engineers its own electric SUV in the future, this GM-sourced technology means the 2024 ZDX will share more with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV than some might realize.

The new Chevrolet offers a number of configurations, with an overall driving range set to 320 miles. We suspect the 2024 ZDX will not reach too high; most models can carry the EPA range in the mid-to-high-mile 200-mile range.

2024 Acura ZDX Type S

That’s right, the Type S badge is expected to appear on the fully electric ZDX. With two motors, the 2024 ZDX Type S will have AWD and may have more than 500 hp, like the Blazer EV in SS trim. No ZDX will be slow, but the Type S model could reach 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds in MotorTrend testing. We can’t wait to find out.

2024 Acura ZDX

Of course, the additional performance will be combined with visual updates that distinguish the ZDX Type S from the underpowered version. Large 22-inch alloy wheels could be part of the picture, as can sportier front and rear fascia and a number of Type S badges inside and out.

New Acura ZDX Electrified Performance

This is our first look at the all-electric Acura ZDX EV, which will launch to market in 2024 and serve as a cousin of the new Honda Prologue that was revealed earlier this week.

Just like Honda, the Acura ZDX EV will be co-developed with GM and powered by the car manufacturer’s BEV3 platform that utilizes the Ultium Battery and Drive system, also featured on the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, and GMC Hummer EV.

Using this architecture and propulsion system, Acura doesn’t have to worry about engineering its own systems, cutting development costs significantly.

The EV name pays homage to the previous Acura model, a coupe-crossover built from 2009 to 2013 that was the first vehicle laid out from the ground up at Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles. The new ZDX is also laid out in the same studio.

The first image of this EV ZDX prototype shows that it has an overall shape and profile similar to the Honda Prologue. Just like the Honda, the front does not have a traditional center grille and fits the lower grille in black and joins the additional air intakes.

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The overall design of the ZDX EV also takes inspiration from the Acura Precision EV concept, which was launched a few months ago. For example, the production model seems to have a similar downside frame with an attractive floating D-pillar concept and design that definitely makes the ZDX EV quite attractive.

However, some key differences between this prototype and the concept are noticeable, including the fact that the production model has traditional door handles and rearview mirrors instead of rear-facing cameras.

Smaller design details, such as headlights and taillights to be used by the production model are not visible on this prototype and have been added for placeholder units.

One of the shots taken by our spy photographer also gave us a glimpse of the vehicle’s cabin where we could see part of the large infotainment screen with a protruding physical knob. It is understood that many of the materials used in the interior of the SUV will be recycled or sustainable, such as the Precision EV Concept.

2024 Acura ZDX Redesign

We first saw the 2024 Acura ZDX electric luxury SUV. And as we expected, it didn’t follow in the footsteps of the funky coupe tires as the name suggests. Instead, it is clearly based on the recently featured Acura Precision EV concept, although it is clearly scaled down.

2024 Acura ZDX

The overall profile is quite conventional, with a relatively upright rear hatchback. But the ZDX still looks quite slim with a low roof and a fairly long nose. And on that rooftop topic, it has a partial floating design previewed in Precision.

The ZDX’s nose looks much duller compared to the Precision EV, which we don’t think is a bad thing, as the Precision is a bit of a beak. And at the rear, the rear fenders look more prominent and the window sill area is also pushed further. Again, this doesn’t seem like a bad change to us.

Like Honda’s Prologue, the ZDX will be based on the GM Ultium platform, likely the version that underpins the Chevy Blazer and Cadillac Lyriq. There are various motor configurations that can be offered at ZDX.

Since there will be a Type S version, we can see that it gets the 557-horsepower all-wheel-drive powertrain from the Blazer EV SS.

It is difficult to say whether other versions will use only all-wheel drive, or have rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive since everything is possible. We should know more when the SUV debuts in 2024.

If the Cadillac Lyriq—ZDX’s surprising platform mate—is everything, we expect to see rear-drive and all-wheel powertrain options ranging from 340 to 500 horsepower.

Acura has confirmed that the ZDX Type S is part of the plan, and it may be an all-wheel drive variant with a higher horsepower rating. No details have been released yet, but we will find out more closely with the ZDX sales date.

2024 Acura ZDX Interior

We expect the production ZDX to get a more conservative interior design than the Precision EV Concept car. The concept yoke-style steering wheel is likely to be replaced with a normal, circular one.

2024 Acura ZDX

A two-row seating layout is possible and we expect premium interior materials and perhaps some eco-friendly textiles to enhance ZDX’s green appeal.

Although the concept vehicle’s transparent screen display looks cool and futuristic, we think the production ZDX will come with a more conventional infotainment screen and a digital gauge display.

What we’re not sure yet is whether ZDX will use Asur’s current software interface, which is controlled by the touchpad, or a new Google-based system version from GM.

Either way, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with wireless connectivity tend to be standard, and we expect to see Asur’s signature ELS stereo system also available.

Acura ZDX Powertrain 2024

Although neither Honda nor Acura provided details about the powertrain, which is related to the new Chevrolet Blazer EV as well as the Cadillac Lyriq, it gives us some clues as to what to expect.

Depending on the model and battery pack, the former offers mileage between 247 miles (398 km) and 320 miles (515 km). We should expect something similar from the ZDX Acura.

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An all-wheel drive powertrain is provided, but it remains to be seen whether the Acura will follow in Chevy’s footsteps and offer front- and rear-wheel drive variants as well. One thing that the Japanese brand has confirmed without releasing specifications, is that the ZDX will be offered in a high-performance Type S version.

“The Acura ZDX represents the beginning of what will be an accelerated path to electrification by the end of this decade and the key role the Acura brand will play in our company’s global goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,” said Acura’s assistant vice president of national sales, Emile Korkor.

“Acura will remain focused on performance in the electrification era and the Type S will continue to represent the pinnacle of this direction.”

Acura ZDX MPG 2024

ZDX will use GM’s Ultium battery technology and will likely get the same 102.0 kWh battery pack as the Lyriq. The battery was said to provide a driving distance of up to 312 miles in the Cadillac, so the Acura had to offer the same figure.

2024 Acura ZDX

2024 Acura ZDX Release Date

Acura will launch its first fully electric vehicle in 2024, and when it arrives, it will have a familiar name: ZDX. Acura on Thursday confirmed it will revive the name of the old love-it-or-hate-it SUV for this new EV, and the company said a higher-performing ZDX Type S variant is also on the cards.

The letter “Z” in “ZDX” is meant to signify “zero-emissions,” thus working with the -DX naming convention Acura uses for its SUVs.

“When we envisioned this vehicle, we didn’t think of it as a continuation from one model line to the next,” Emile Korkor, Acura’s assistant vice president of sales, told me in an interview. “The fact that it started with a ‘Z’ is pretty perfect.”

The original ZDX was sold from 2009 to 2013, and to be honest, it’s ahead of its time. No, the style isn’t for everyone (I love it!), but it’s one of the original crossover coupes — a body style that’s been popular these days.

Korkor said the new ZDX will also be a very stylish vehicle, and its design language is previewed by the Acura Precision EV concept that also debuted during Monterey Car Week on Thursday.

When it goes on sale in 2024, the ZDX will use the same electric vehicle architecture as the upcoming Honda Prologue, which is being developed in conjunction with General Motors. ZDX will use GM’s Ultium battery technology and should be placed between the RDX and MDX crossovers in terms of size.

ZDX is the first major step in Acura’s electrification plan. By 2026, the company will launch vehicles based on its own EV architecture, with the goal of becoming a fully electric car maker by 2040.

2024 Acura ZDX Price

Acura has not revealed the 2024 ZDX price, but we anticipate an MSRP in the high $50,000 range. A loaded ZDX Type S can cost more than $70,000 with options. It sounds expensive, but it will be in line with the competition.

If the ZDX line follows the gasoline-powered Acura trim levels, we will see a variety of models with improved technology and performance.

The Type S will probably be the tallest model, and we’re pleased to see an electric version of Asura’s performance trim that is renowned to be capable.

  • Base $60,000
  • Technology $63,000
  • A-Spec $66,000
  • Advance $69,000
  • Type S $75,000

People also ask Acura ZDX 2024

Q: Will Acura bring back the ZDX?

A: The car will come in 2024 and will feature the Ultium platform and battery provided by General Motors. Acura has announced that its first electric vehicle will be named the ZDX.

Q: Why did Acura discontinue the ZDX?

A: The ZDX was discontinued after the 2013 model year due to poor sales, and in a statement from Honda, “because the Acura brand sharpened its focus on new models and core products.” The ZDX is the rarest of the US-manufactured Acura offerings, with a total of 7,191 vehicles manufactured and sold in North America.

Q: How much will the ZDX cost?

A: Based on all this, we estimate that the new Acura ZDX SUV will cost around $55,000 in the base form and as much as $70,000 for the sportier Type S version. Among its competitors, its price will also overlap with the new Chevrolet Blazer EV, another vehicle that relies on GM’s Ultium battery.

Q: What replaced the Acura ZDX?

A: Unlike the original ZDX, which debuted for the 2010 model year in a fastback style that was arguably ahead of its time, the new ZDX 2024 SUV is set to adopt a more traditional two-box SUV shape. The new SUV was previewed by the Precision EV Concept which debuted at the 2022 Monterey Car Week event.