Acura ZDX unveiled in Monterey with 500-hp Type S variant

MONTEREY, Calif. — They say you have to crawl before you walk, but Acura's first step toward its all-electric future is a full-on sprint.

The ZDX, Acura's first electric vehicle, unveiled here Thursday, is a critical milestone for Acura and "signals [the brand's] transition to a zero-emissions future," said Emile Korkor, assistant vice president of Acura national sales.

Though the ZDX is built in collaboration with General Motors and shares a platform with the Cadillac Lyriq, its looks are distinctly Acura with an EV twist that designers say is representative of what to expect as the brand starts converting its lineup from gasoline to electric.

Dave Marek, Acura's executive creative director — whose team in Torrance, Calif., was responsible for setting the design direction and final execution of the ZDX — said the U.S. design group will continue to "take full advantage of the increased styling and packaging freedom EVs offer."

Marek described the ZDX as "Acura's new modern expression of performance."

The ZDX, due to arrive on the market in early 2024, stretches 197.7 inches, just shy of the 198.4-inch MDX three-row crossover. It has a low and wide stance with a sleek silhouette, a long 121.8-inch wheelbase and high-contrast surfacing. The front fascia is familiar, with Acura's Chicane daytime running lights and "jewel eye" LED headlights, as well as a centered oversized badge.

The ZDX will also come as a 500-hp Type S variant, with the brand's first hands-free driving technology, standard Google Built In connectivity, 22 inches of high-def digital screens, and Bang & Olufsen premium audio.

Acura has not been specific about its electrification goals, but the brand will be the "tip of the spear" for parent Honda Motor Co., which is targeting sales of 800,000 EVs by 2030 in North America.

Acura has said its pivot into EVs will be more aggressive than Honda's, and its EV sales will comprise as much as 60 percent of its annual sales in that time frame. This year Acura expects to sell 160,000 vehicles.

Korkor has said that Acura will carry forward its performance philosophy to distinguish itself from rival EVs entering the market and keep its enthusiast-minded customers engaged.

The ZDX delivers on that promise with a Type S variant out of the gate. The performance version uses a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack that sends power to a rear and front motor for a combined 500 hp.

Acura says it's engineered to enhance all elements of performance driving, including acceleration, braking and turning while still maintaining daily driving poise.

Highlights include height-adjustable air suspension, performance-tuned adaptive dampers and 15.6-inch Brembo front brakes with six-piston yellow calipers. It has multiple drive modes, including Sport, that harnesses maximum acceleration and response.

The ZDX Type S has 22-inch machined-finished wheels that Acura says are the largest ever featured on one of its models. It comes with wider self-sealing tires and the option to spec up to high-performance summer tires with a gloss black wheel. The Type S exclusive Tiger Eye Pearl exterior paint also is an option.

But range is compromised for performance. Acura says the ZDX Type S can travel an estimated 288 miles on a single charge, compared with an anticipated 325-mile EPA driving range rating for the ZDX.

The ZDX Type S will be priced competitively around $70,000, according to the company.

The "base" A-Spec uses the same 102-kW-hour battery and is available in a rear-mounted, single-motor setup with 340 hp. It is also available in a dual-motor configuration, for which Acura has yet to release details.

The single-motor ZDX A-Spec offers the most range, at 325 miles. With both motors, range drops slightly to 315 miles.

The ZDX A-Spec has 20-inch 9-spoke aluminum-allow wheels wrapped in all-season tires.

Both trims feature a 22-inch interior screen that connects the digital information cluster behind the wheel and the center infotainment touchscreen, which offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Acura's first integration of Google Built In also is standard. It uses Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play to deliver more seamless and personalized connectivity. Google Maps can be displayed on either screen, and the system is calibrated to incorporate the location of charging stations and time needed to top off within the route planning function. It also can initiate preconditioning of the battery when the driver is headed to a DC Fast charger.

The ZDX also will be the first Acura to offer standard Bang & Olufsen premium audio, which will be included on new models. The system is customized for the ZDX with 18 speakers, 14-channels of amplification and a subwoofer.

Acura Watch, which comes standard on each trim, adds Acura's first version of rear cross-traffic braking, blind zone steering assist and rear pedestrian alert. The ZDX Type S gets Acura Watch 360+, which adds "hands Free Cruise," a hands-free driving system that is compatible with 400,000 miles of U.S. roadways. It also has automatic parking for easy in and out of parallel spot, another first for Acura.

The ZDX will be able to recoup 81 miles of range in 10 minutes when hooked up to a DC Fast Charger, according to Acura. The company plans to help buyers get set up with home charging with Acura Home Electrification, an online marketplace of vetted local installers and "expert energy advisors" that will help with selection.

ZDX owners also will be able to find chargers via the Acura Smartphone App that is loaded with more than 90 percent of the available DC Fast Charging networks. The app will also include payment integration.