Acura made a surprising move in 2023 when it introduced the ZDX as its first full-electric SUV. Usually, automakers started with sedans and evolved later with SUVs. But the Japanese premium brand took a different approach and made the ZDX its forerunner in the electric car revolution.
Honda made its first full-electric vehicle, the E, in 2020. It was not a huge success, but the automaker learned what customers want from an electron-powered vehicle. So, three years later, it brought another EV. Only this time, it was not sold under Honda's badge but on Acura's logo. Moreover, creating an entirely new platform specifically designed for EVs paved the way for other such vehicles built and sold by both brands.
Acura introduced the Precision EV Concept at the 2022 Monterey Car Week, and many people thought that it was just another show car with no real future. Yet, Acura proved them wrong, and one year later, it unveiled the production version of that SUV under the ZDX nameplate. Acura's design studio from California designed the vehicle and carefully incorporated the brand's specific details onto the car. As a result, the front fascia featured the same pentagonal-shaped grille, although it was mostly blocked since electric vehicles didn't need wide cooling areas. That was flanked by LED headlights with a shape that resembled the ones from other Acura products, such as the Integra Type S. On the outer sides of the lower front bumper, the design team created scoops that created a sporty image for the SUV. Several silver trims adorned the front fascia and continued on the sides, on the vehicle's skirts. The greenhouse looked different than other Acura products since it featured a free-floating design emphasized by the chromed trim that surrounded the upper side of the windows' area and was sloped down on the C-pillars. Since Acura was mostly a premium yet sporty brand, the designers penned a raked-forward tailgate adorned by a roof spoiler at the back.
The car's interior was up to Acura's standards, boasting a high level of technology, refinement, and comfort. In front of the driver, the automaker installed an 11" digital instrument cluster, while atop the center stack mounted an additional 11.3" touchscreen for the infotainment system. The car had integrated Google Maps, and it could display it on either screen. Moreover, it could suggest routes based on the charging stations available on the routes and even precondition the battery pack to speed up charging sessions. Since the vehicle was so silent, the automaker considered installing an 18-speaker Bang&Olufsen audio system that provided a surround sound experience. The front bucket seats offered enough side bolstering and were separated by a tall center console, which hosted two storage areas and a pair of cup holders.
Acura offered the ZDX with two available powertrains: a two-wheel-drive version with one motor for the rear axle and an all-wheel-drive one with motors on both ends of the SUV. The former was estimated to cover 325 miles (523 km) on a single charge.
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