The Acura ZDX is the first electric SUV from Honda’s upscale division, offering seating for five occupants, decent range and an available Type S trim for added performance. It all adds up to an appealing, balanced package even if it’s one that doesn’t lead the pack in any particular category.
Related: 2024 Acura ZDX Type S Review: Balancing Act
Like the Honda Prologue with which it shares a lot under the skin, the ZDX was co-developed with GM and shares much of its architecture with the Chevrolet Blazer EV and the more directly competing Cadillac Lyriq. Other rivals include the Genesis GV60, Lexus RZ and Tesla Model Y. Marking both the beginning and the end of the GM partnership, the ZDX is meant to give Acura a presence in the marketplace while the brand develops its own line of EVs.
Cars.com West Coast Bureau Chief Conner Golden had a chance to thoroughly get to know a new ZDX Type S at a manufacturer event and found that Acura’s first EV does a number of things well; others, not so much. (Cars.com pays for its own travel and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) Tap the link above to read Golden’s expert review; for a quicker look, however, read on for five things we like about the 2024 Acura ZDX Type S and two things we do not.
Things We Like
1. Smooth Powertrain
With two electric motors driving all four wheels and producing a total of 499 horsepower and 544 pounds-feet of torque, the ZDX Type S is no slouch. There’s more than enough power for drama-free highway passing and merging (though some competitors offer more). As the most powerful ZDX trim, the Type S packs plenty of oomph to get you in trouble, and it comes on in a smooth, seamless rush. The base A-Spec trim offers the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive (unfortunately, neither variant was available to sample at the event).
2. Accommodating Interior
Swathed in Milano leather and with a modern and upscale look, the ZDX’s interior is a roomy and pleasant place to be even if competitors offer more luxurious accommodations. The Type S trim takes it up a notch, with more aggressive sport seats, microsuede inserts and other details. The GM connection shows with some shared switches and controls, but everything looks and feels well put together.
3. Lots of Tech
The ZDX gets some of the better tech features from both the Acura and GM menus. There’s an 11-inch high-resolution digital gauge cluster, along with an 11.3-inch center touchscreen running both Google Built-In and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The GM partnership also brings GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving capability and OnStar telematics services, and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system is standard on all trims.
4. Capable Cruiser
Checking in at 6,052 pounds, the ZDX Type S is no lightweight. But thanks to its optional sticky, EV-focused Continental performance tires, big six-piston Brembo front brakes and a trim-exclusive adaptive air suspension, the hefty Type S has plenty of grip and stays nicely poised while hustling along back roads. A choice of suspension settings includes Normal, Snow and Sport, though the differences between the three can be hard to detect.
5. Quick Charger
The ZDX is capable of DC fast charging at up to 190 kilowatts, enabling its 102-kilowatt-hour battery to add up to 72 miles of range in just 10 minutes, according to Acura. To go from a 20% to 80% charge takes 42 minutes. The base A-Spec trim with single-motor RWD has the greatest estimated range at up to 313 miles on a charge, while our tested dual-motor AWD Type S has 278 miles of range.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Numb Steering
Like many SUVs, regardless of powertrain, steering feel is not a strong suit with the ZDX. Much of that is more or less expected these days, though what’s more annoying with the ZDX is its lethargic response. Particularly bothersome at low speeds, the slow steering makes parking lot maneuvers even less enjoyable than usual.
2. Bang for Buck
Neither as luxurious as its most upscale competitors nor as engaging to drive as some others, the ZDX Type S is all about compromises. Some of that can also be said of other models with Type S trims; with Type S vehicles, Acura isn’t as performance focused as other brands are, such as BMW and its M division. But the joint effort with GM further dilutes the Acura DNA, making it tough for the ZDX to stand out in an increasingly competitive crowd.
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