2024 Acura ZDX Road Test and Review

2024 Acura ZDX Type S ・ Photo by Brady Holt

The Acura brand is known for premium, high-tech products with a performance edge. And to us, that sounds exactly like a modern electric vehicle. 

The all-new 2024 Acura ZDX is the first EV for Honda’s luxury division. It’s a five-passenger mid-size crossover SUV priced from $64,500. The ZDX borrows its name from the brand’s oddball “SUV coupe” that was last sold in 2013 – and borrows its underpinnings from General Motors, which has more EV experience than Honda. 

For this review, we just spent a week testing the new 2024 ZDX. Keep reading to learn more about this electric Acura’s pros and cons and see if it’s the right gas-free crossover for you. 

Up to 313 Miles per Charge

One of the first things many folks want to know about an electric car is “how far can it go on a charge?” While any modern EV has enough range for nearly anyone’s commute, the ZDX is also ready to take you on a road trip. 

The base rear-wheel-drive model goes an EPA-estimated 313 miles per charge while averaging the energy equivalent of 96 mpg in the city, 83 mpg on the highway, and 90 mpg combined. The more powerful all-wheel drive version still goes 304 miles per charge and gives up just 3 MPGe. The Type S performance model, like our test vehicle, dips to 278 miles per charge and 78 MPGe. Our test vehicle was in line with those numbers despite cold weather – not the optimal condition for EVs. We averaged 81 MPGe and were on track for about 276 miles of range per charge. 

The ZDX recoups about 29 miles of range per hour at a 240-volt car charger like you’d find in some public stations or install in your garage. And at a DC fast charger, Acura says it’ll go from 20 percent to 80 percent charge in 42 minutes. That’s not amazing by EV standards, but by the time you’ve stretched your legs and gotten a bite to eat, you’re ready for the next couple hundred miles of driving. 

2024 Acura ZDX Type S ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Sports-Car Speed

Electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions and cost less to refuel than gasoline-powered vehicles (as long as you don’t rely too heavily on public stations). But their other advantage – one that makes them a natural fit for luxury brands – is their smooth, silent speed. 

EVs produce their peak torque right off the line, and it’s prodigious. The base ZDX makes 358 horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque through a single electric motor powering the rear wheels. All-wheel drive gives you a second motor to power the front wheels, bumping output to 490 hp and 437 lb-ft of torque. And the AWD Type S like our test vehicle has 499 hp and 544 lb-ft of torque. 

The ZDX won’t keep up with a Tesla Model Y Performance for literally jaw-dropping acceleration, even in Type S form. But with the ability to hit 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds, this SUV is quicker than many sports cars. Or, if you prefer, it’s easy to drive gently in serene near-silence. The Type S’s sport suspension proved uncomfortably firm for some cratered city streets, but the ZDX is otherwise comfortable and quiet. And it has high handling limits, too, for an SUV. The steering isn’t quite playful – an old 2013 ZDX would be more fun to toss around a corner – but this isn’t a dull car to drive. 

2024 Acura ZDX Type S ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Or Let It Drive Itself

If you don’t feel like driving your own ZDX, that’s fine. If you buy the Type S, you can set it to drive itself on more than 400,000 miles of North American roads. 

We mentioned that the ZDX uses mechanical components from General Motors. That includes GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system. While other Acuras (including base ZDX models) offer adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering assistance, these aids require you to hold the steering wheel. Super Cruise – which Acura calls Hands Free Cruise – invites you to leave your hands in your lap while the car accelerates, brakes, steers, and even changes lanes on its own. Our top complaint is that it beeps loudly when it needs to automatically disengage, which makes it less relaxing to use. On GM cars, the warning strikes a better balance between unmistakable and unintrusive. 

We also wish Acura offered Hands Free Cruise on the base ZDX A-Spec, which costs $64,500 with rear-wheel drive and $68,500 with AWD. (Remember, this price bump also buys an extra 132 horsepower.) The base ZDX already includes leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic moonroof, and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. The Type S, $73,500, adds Hands Free Cruise plus a few other amenities: a surround-view parking camera, a rearview camera mirror, rear climate control, heated rear seats, and hands-free operation for the power liftgate. But the main thing is the performance suspension, extra torque, more powerful Brembo brakes, and huge 22-inch wheels – paired with the reduced range and efficiency. We suspect plenty of customers would appreciate the luxury goods without the tradeoffs of the performance upgrades. 

Note that as of this writing, the ZDX qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit taken at the point of sale. Like many EVs, it’s also typically available to lease at uncommonly low rates versus its sticker price. 

2024 Acura ZDX Type S ・ Photo by Brady Holt

GM Bones, Acura Styling

The ZDX’s closest cousin is the Cadillac Lyriq, but other similarly sized crossovers riding on the same GM bones include the Chevrolet Blazer EV and the Honda Prologue. They’re all built at GM factories – in the ZDX’s case, in Tennessee. 

You’d never recognize it as anything but an Acura, though. The ZDX’s design team did a thorough job crafting an entirely new body that looks right at home in the Acura lineup. The brand’s traditional “diamond pentagon” grille appears as a backlit outline – there’s no engine behind it that needs cooling. And the ZDX’s wide, low stance is appropriate for a performance-focused SUV. It’s a big car, though, with nearly the footprint of a three-row MDX. 

Another ZDX difference we appreciate is the simple touches. The Lyriq aims to be extra-sleek and extra-slick with retractable door handles and a power-operated charging-port door. The ZDX introduces fewer failure points, and passengers can hop in quickly without needing a tutorial. Door handles in an electric Acura work just like the ones in a gas model. 

2024 Acura ZDX Type S ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Simple Cabin for an EV

Acura’s efforts to keep things simple extend to the ZDX’s cabin. Rather than screen-intensive futuristic dazzle, Acura provides plenty of buttons and knobs to complement a simple 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and 11-inch digital gauge cluster. Unlike many of GM’s new EVs, the ZDX supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. And it’s all much simpler than Acura’s homegrown touchpad-based infotainment system (which it’s phasing out of its lineup). We also appreciate ample storage areas, including under the floating center console. 

This ZDX’s simplicity isn’t for everyone, though. You don’t get the cutting-edge vibe of some modern luxury cars, especially EVs – including the exuberantly elegant Cadillac Lyriq. Some of the ZDX’s cabin materials feel below Acura’s usual grade, too, though we liked all the leather on the dashboard. And a few controls could have worked better. For example, changing the regenerative braking modes – how much the car slows itself to a stop when you ease off the throttle – requires careful taps at a tiny spot on the touchscreen. In another issue, several times during our test, the screen failed to respond to touches for a couple minutes at a time. But overall, the ZDX is a premium vehicle that doesn’t make you use a touchscreen for every function. 

2024 Acura ZDX Type S ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Comfortable Cabin

The ZDX has a comfortable cabin, with well-shaped, supportive front seats. You don’t have a towering SUV height, but you’re elevated from a sedan. The ZDX A-Spec includes 12-way power adjustability, heating, and ventilation for the front seats. The Type S bumps that to 16-way adjustability and adds heated rear seats. 

The backseat isn’t huge for an SUV the size of the ZDX. It’s comfortable, but not quite the limo-like accommodation we might expect. As we mentioned, the ZDX has simple mechanical door handles that are easier to use than the Cadillac Lyriq’s electronic ones. 

2024 Acura ZDX Type S ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Useful Cargo Room

As with rear seat space, the ZDX’s cargo capacity should meet most owners’ needs – though it’s not amazing given the Acura’s size. 

As we mentioned, the ZDX is nearly as long and wide as the three-row Acura MDX. But while the MDX has up to 71 cubic feet of cargo room, or 39 cubic feet behind its second row, the ZDX has about 63 cubic feet and 30 cubic feet, respectively – more like the compact Acura RDX. And unlike some EVs, the ZDX has no front trunk (or “frunk”). Still, the Acura’s low roof means plenty of useful space if you’re not stacking your luggage to the ceiling. 

2024 Acura ZDX Type S ・ Photo by Brady Holt

ZDX vs. the Competition

If you’re new to electric luxury SUVs, you may be surprised by how many established competitors the ZDX must contend with. We’d say its closest rivals are the Lexus RZ, the Genesis Electrified GV70, and the newly introduced Audi Q6 e-tron. (We’ll also discuss how it compares with its own mechanical cousins later.) The Lexus delivers a smooth, quiet ride at a much lower sticker price than the ZDX – but a lot less range per charge. The Genesis is a speedy, genteel, yet practical SUV with a beautifully finished interior, ample cargo room, and lively acceleration. But it also has a short range by today’s standards, despite costing about the same as the ZDX. And it’s shaped like a regular crossover SUV without the Acura’s ground-hugging stance. Lastly, the Audi is another ordinary-looking luxury SUV that’s no bargain, but it has a flashier interior than the Acura and nearly matches its range. 

You might also shop the ZDX against the best-selling EV in the world – the Tesla Model Y. On paper, the Tesla wins easily; it’s faster, roomier, and more efficient, and it has an even longer range, all for less money. But you may favor the Acura’s more dynamic style than the egg-shaped Tesla, you may appreciate its more conventional dashboard controls, and it rides more stiffly. On the other end of the value spectrum, we love the high-tech, great-driving, beautifully finished BMW iX, but it costs a lot more than the ZDX. 

One note about cross-shopping EVs: Discounts and lease incentives can vary widely from each car’s sticker price. So check with your dealer about any vehicle you’re interested in. You might find that you could pay a lot less for the ZDX than a competitor, or vice versa.  

2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 ・ Photo by Brady Holt

ZDX vs. Its Cousins

As we mentioned, the ZDX is Acura’s take on the Cadillac Lyriq. The Lyriq has a different styling vibe inside and out, but mechanically, the cars are pretty close. The Lyriq is tuned for a gentler ride, while the ZDX prioritizes sportier handling (though the difference isn’t dramatic). And the ZDX is engineered for ease of use while the Lyriq prioritizes beauty in its interior and exterior designs. Choose between them based on your priorities – and, if you don’t feel strongly about those points, which dealer offers a better deal.  

We also mentioned the Honda Prologue, which also shares the ZDX’s platform. It’s built alongside the Chevrolet Blazer EV in Mexico. The Acura’s interior isn’t much fancier than the less expensive Honda, but the ZDX has a lot more power despite an even longer range. 

2024 Cadillac Lyriq ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Final Thoughts

The 2024 Acura ZDX looks like a performance car and has the moves to back that up – along with SUV practicality. We’ve read complaints from people who expected the Type S model to deliver a more raw, thrilling experience. But we’d stick with the A-Spec for a lower price and longer range anyway, and every ZDX is fun to drive for an SUV if you keep your expectations reasonable. 

Acura wasn’t the first luxury car brand to offer an electric SUV – far from it. And the ZDX isn’t perfect. But even in this crowded market, it carves out a niche for itself. 

2024 Acura ZDX Type S ・ Photo by Brady Holt