The 2024 Acura ZDX was unveiled this past summer, but the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show was my first chance to check out the all-new, all-electric SUV in person.
The ZDX is the product of a joint venture between Honda and GM (Acura is Honda’s luxury division). The ZDX and Prologue share their basic architecture and Ultium battery technology with the Chevrolet Blazer EV, but all three electric vehicles get their own exterior styling and interior layouts.
The ZDX’s distinctive long wheelbase and long-hood proportions are shared with its Honda and Chevrolet counterparts, but its body styling stands out nonetheless thanks to its crisp sculpting and unique details. Acura’s signature design cues are used to good effect, most notably the “jewel-eyed” LED headlights and diamond pentagon grille. The grille gets an appropriately EV-esque look via a textured body-color center section and LED daytime running lights outlining its lower border. A low roofline and broad-shouldered beltline contribute to the attractive profile and wide, planted stance.
The ZDX’s dashboard layout looks suitably high-tech, but it’s practical enough to not be befuddling to first-time EV buyers. The 11-inch configurable digital gauge cluster is deeply shrouded, so it should be easily viewable in bright sunlight. Most of the switchgear is familiar GM componentry, but thankfully, they’re physical controls rather than virtual buttons or touchscreen controls that we at Cars.com often find difficult to use. I didn’t have the opportunity to interact much with the 11.3-inch touchscreen display, but its basic menus looked to be logically laid out, and its response times were quick. Both the touchscreen and digital gauge cluster boasted bright graphics that were large and easy to read, as well. The steering wheel has what looks to be a light bar built into its upper rim, just like the indicator lights found in GM vehicles equipped with the company’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system — another indicator that Acura’s Hands Free Cruise system is likely the Super Cruise system with a different name.
The ZDX’s gear selector is a stalk mounted on the steering column, which frees up space in the center console. That space is put to good use, too: The console contains two large cupholders, a smartphone charging slot, a shallow tray that looks to be a stash spot for a smartphone and a generously sized storage bin underneath the hinged center armrest. There’s also a large open storage area below the console itself, which is ideal for stashing a purse.
Decently Spacious, Upscale Interior
The ZDX’s cabin is spacious for most adults in both the front and rear seats, but the low roofline intrudes a bit on headroom for extra-tall occupants — the panoramic moonroof’s housing steals a precious inch or two of space. Forward visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent thanks in part to the slim windshield pillars, but rear visibility is compromised slightly by the low roofline and short rear window.
Rear legroom is decent, thanks in part to the flat floor with no center driveline hump. Backseat passengers also get their own air vents and climate controls built into the rear of the center console, complete with fan speed and temperature control knobs and an LCD display screen.
The ZDX’s low, sloped roofline compromises the SUV’s maximum cargo capacity, but the cargo floor is impressively long; the rear seatbacks fold easily to create a level load space; and there’s a bit of extra small-items storage underneath the cargo load floor. The cabin’s overall ambiance is Acura-appropriate, as well, with upscale touches such as leather upholstery in contrasting colors, multi-color ambient lighting, textured satin-metal trim on the door panels and perforated metal speaker grilles for the Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Acura has not yet released full pricing yet, but the company says that the ZDX’s A-Spec trim will start around $60,000, and the Type S will start around $70,000. The ZDX is slated to arrive in dealerships in early 2024.
