Acura’s First Electric SUV: The ZDX
Acura, the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda, is set to release its first electric SUV in North America. The Acura ZDX will be built on the same GM Ultium platform as the Chevy Blazer and Cadillac Lyriq, but Acura’s designers have worked hard to ensure that the car looks unique from the outside. Spy shots of the ZDX have been circulating for a while, but the latest images show the EV almost completely undisguised and very close to production spec. The car is expected to be available for purchase next year, possibly after a fall 2023 reveal.
Design
The Acura ZDX looks uncannily similar to the Precision EV Concept that Acura displayed at Monterey Car Week in August last year. The white test car is still sporting placeholder headlights, but for the first time, we can see the lower bumper design and D-pillar trim exactly as it will look when the SUV reaches showrooms. The rear shots are of a car wearing camouflage, but they show the production rear lights. Only the outer lamp clusters are illuminated, but it’s obvious that when the car makes production, the light will reach across and into the rear hatch, just like it did on the Precision concept.
Powertrain
Acura has not revealed the exact powertrain lineup for the ZDX, but it has confirmed that a Type-S version is in the works by covering a prototype in ‘S’ logos. The Type-S is expected to have a 557 hp (565 PS / 415 kW) bi-motor drivetrain, which is the same as the Chevy Blazer SS. This means that the car will be able to go from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than four seconds. However, it remains to be seen whether Acura will offer lower-spec models with front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, all of which are possible on the Blazer.
Technology
Acura will continue to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the ZDX, unlike GM, which has opted to drop the features from its Ultium cars in favor of a proprietary system. The ZDX will also offer in-built Google Maps and Play for the first time. This means that drivers will be able to use their favorite navigation and entertainment apps without having to connect their phone to the car.
Conclusion
The Acura ZDX is an exciting addition to the electric SUV market. By piggybacking off a rival brand’s platform, Acura has been able to fast-track its entry into the sector. The car looks unique from the outside, and Acura has promised to offer a Type-S version with a powerful bi-motor drivetrain. The ZDX will also offer in-built Google Maps and Play, which is a first for Acura. The car is expected to be available for purchase next year, and we can’t wait to see it on the road.