Acura may be a bit behind in the electric vehicle (EV) market, but it’s found an interesting way to make up for lost time. The 2024 Acura ZDX, set for delivery next year, marks Acura’s debut in the EV space. This luxury EV combines signature Acura design elements and a name from the past with General Motors’ Ultium platform.
The original Acura ZDX was among the first “SUV coupes,” blending the high ride of a traditional SUV with a sleeker, more stylish roofline. Despite pioneering this subgenre, the original ZDX didn’t enjoy commercial success and was only in production from 2010 to 2013.
The new all-electric 2024 ZDX has a much more conventional look compared to its predecessor and other EVs. Its design, inspired by the Acura Precision EV concept revealed last year, doesn’t scream “electric vehicle.” The only obvious hint is the longer wheelbase designed to house the battery pack.
Here’s where you can see the influence of General Motors. Like other Ultium-based EVs, the ZDX’s wheelbase is designed around the battery size. The ZDX features a 121.8-inch wheelbase and a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, identical to the Cadillac Lyriq. Acura anticipates that the single-motor rear-wheel-drive version of the ZDX will have a range of 325 miles, slightly more than the Lyriq’s 314 miles. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive version offers a range of 315 miles, compared to 307 miles for the Cadillac.
These ranges apply to the base model ZDX A-Spec, which delivers 340 horsepower in rear-wheel-drive form. The power output for the all-wheel-drive version hasn’t been disclosed yet. The higher-end ZDX Type S features a performance-tuned dual-motor setup that provides 500 horsepower, but the range decreases to 288 miles.
The maximum DC fast charging rate for the ZDX is 190 kilowatts, which isn’t particularly impressive. However, Acura claims this is sufficient to add 81 miles of range after just 10 minutes of charging for the single-motor A-Spec model. Acura will also offer an online marketplace called Acura Home Electrification to help customers set up charging equipment.
Inside, the ZDX feels very much like an Acura. It features an 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a floating 11.3-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For the first time in an Acura, the ZDX includes built-in Google apps like Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play, likely influenced by its partnership with GM. The standard 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system is another new feature for Acura.
The ZDX comes with a suite of driver-assist features under the Acura Watch banner. This includes rear cross-traffic braking, blind zone steering assist, and rear pedestrian alert. The AcuraWatch 360+ system, which adds more advanced features such as Hands-Free Cruise (akin to GM’s Super Cruise) and automated parking assist, is also available.
Prices are expected to start around $60,000 for the base ZDX A-Spec and around $70,000 for the sportier ZDX Type S. This pricing places the ZDX in competition with other luxury electric SUVs like the Cadillac Lyriq, Audi Q8 e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, and the more rugged Rivian R1S.