.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=CAC20ACS131A0101.jpg&width=390','3/4 Front Glamour 2012 Acura ZDX','3/4 Front Glamour 2012 Acura ZDX'); "3/4 Front Glamour 2012 Acura ZDX")
.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=CAC20ACS131A0136.jpg&width=390','Surround Front Profile 2012 Acura ZDX','Surround Front Profile 2012 Acura ZDX'); "Surround Front Profile 2012 Acura ZDX")
.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=CAC20ACS131A0132.jpg&width=390','Surround Rear Profile 2012 Acura ZDX','Surround Rear Profile 2012 Acura ZDX'); "Surround Rear Profile 2012 Acura ZDX")
.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=CAC20ACS131A0131.jpg&width=390','Surround 3/4 Rear - Drivers Side 2012 Acura ZDX','Surround 3/4 Rear - Drivers Side 2012 Acura ZDX'); "Surround 3/4 Rear - Drivers Side 2012 Acura ZDX")
- Calculating Prices Please Wait
Vehicle Min Max Acura ZDX $42,086 $42,086 Acura MDX $39,758 $51,946 Acura TL $33,372 $43,426 Acura RDX $31,132 $36,615 Average $36,587 $43,518 
CarsDirect Price
$42,086Save up to 10% (MSRP $47,015)
Vehicle Min Max Acura ZDX $706 $706 Acura MDX $667 $872 Acura TL $560 $729 Acura RDX $522 $614 Average $614 $730 Based On: 10% down, 4.5% APR, 60 months
Estimated Monthly Payment$706 per month
MPG city hwy Acura ZDX 16 23 Acura MDX 16 21 Acura TL 18 27 Acura RDX 18 24 Average 17 24 MPG16 City | 23 Highway
Save
Acura ZDX Review Summary
What reviewers liked most about the Acura ZDX:
If you are willing to accept the compromises that come with the coupe styling -- and coupes are all about style -- ZDX is one terrific piece of work.
- USA TodayThough it feeds an ample 300 horsepower from its 3.7-liter V-6 through Acura's new six-speed automatic transmission and its torque-shuffling SH-AWD system, the ZDX's dials are angled toward luxury rather than sport.
- Car and Driver
What reviewers liked least about the Acura ZDX:
Cramped backseat, compromised cargo capacity...
- Edmunds.com
Acura ZDX Comparisons:
Toyota's Venza is fresh on the market, and BMW is rapidly spooling up production of the 2010 5-series GT, but the 2010 Acura ZDX may end up beating the German to market
- The Car Connection
Best one-liners about the Acura ZDX:
It's the best looking vehicle in Acura's camp -- and I mean that as a compliment.
- Motor Trend
Acura ZDX Introduction
The Acura ZDX altered the visual signature of the SUV when it was introduced. Based on the big MDX sport-utility, the Acura ZDX projects a carlike image using pronounced fender flares, a raked windshield, pronounced tumblehome on the side glass, and a fastback roofline.
Described as a four-door coupe by design staff, the Acura ZDX features hidden rear door handles to exaggerate the two-door look. Since it was intended primarily to meet the needs of self-indulgent couples, the declining roofline is not out of place on a vehicle like this, but it does compromise space in the rear seats. So does the use of long front doors (intended to accentuate the coupe-like proportions), which make the rear doors short and less convenient for access.
Like the exterior design, the interior is unique and employs special materials and bold design ideas to keep the focus on the satisfaction of two privileged passengers. The ZDX seats five. The sense of privilege inside the leather-lined cabin is unmistakable, and the ZDX reinforces that impression with a plush, well-controlled ride, and the creamy propulsion provided by its sophisticated drivetrain.
The ZDX is powered by a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 hooked to a 6-speed automatic with manual override control (via steering-wheel buttons). Throttle response is immediate and authoritative, and the gearshifts are smooth and positive. In keeping with its role, the car's noise levels are low, the climate-control system effective and the entertainment systems bright and clear.
At anything but breakneck pace, the ZDX steers keenly and stays on line with an intuitive accuracy. Only when pressing hard in the convoluted confines of a canyon road does the big Acura begin to remind its driver that it's a close relative of the company's big MDX. Narrow roads quickly emphasize how wide the car's track is, even if the clever design reduces the visual impression of size, and we were hard-pressed to avoid the Botts dots from drumming through the suspension as we put wheels over the line.
Models with the integrated dynamics system that is part of the Advance Package do better in the twisties, but the ZDX luxury priorities are highlighted by its slightly numb steering and unhurried transmission response. That's all relative to the usual high-fidelity Acura standards, we should add. The ZDX still impresses with moves that belie its considerable size and heft.
Introduced as a 2010 model, the ZDX is unchanged for 2011.
Acura ZDX Walkaround
Designed in keeping with Acura's Keen Edge theme, the ZDX flaunts dramatic planes and contours. To get the aggressive haunches that distinguish this crossover, Acura produced a rear quarter panel that required extraordinary stamping procedures. With the deepest draw of any panel the company has ever produced, great care had to be taken with die design to avoid wrinkling or tearing of the metal skin.
A panoramic glass roof (said to be the longest glass roof in the industry) features an integrated power moonroof. Dual powered sunshades provide shelter from the sun. Wide wheel arches, pronounced shoulders and angular creases provide surface tension to dispel any suggestion of the usual two-box SUV look. Xenon lights are mounted inside asymmetrical housings up front, and there's a stylistic continuation of Acura's chevron grille motif in the lower-bumper apertures.
At the rear, the designers again used distinct panel shapes, tail light outlines and integrated exhaust outlets to embellish the silhouette. A lower glass panel in the rear hatch helps improve rear visibility.
Acura ZDX Interior Features
Designed as it was to cosset affluent couples, the ZDX interior received close attention from the Acura designers. This is the first time the company has employed hand-stitched leather on the dashboard, door panels and center console, and it has been executed with great care. The hides themselves are what's known as full grain. Many leather finishes are buffed surfaces, necessary to remove flaws. These are carefully selected, unscarred hides from Hungary and China.
Fitting the leather panel on the sculpted dashboard was quite a challenge, due to the unusual concave shape, and required special techniques. The result, particularly with the saddle-colored combination, is striking, and the textures themselves are rich and pleasing to the touch.
The rest of the interior is very modern in design, with electroluminescent gauges and a center console the Acura designers call the Monolith. Until its backlighting comes on when the ignition is switched on, the console remains blank and dark, with no evidence of the many switches and controls it contains.
Lighting inside the cabin is provided by the large glass roof during daylight hours, and by subtle LED lighting at night. There is over 26 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expanding to nearly 56 cubic feet when those seatbacks are folded flat. Access is by the convenient hatch-like rear door, and the liftover height is helpfully low.
Further expansion is possible (for long objects such as golf bags) by removing side panels in the cargo compartment. An underfloor area of about two cubic feet is also available for secure storage.
The front passenger area is both spacious and attractive, but the sloping roofline makes inevitable inroads into rear headroom. Legroom is also not as good in the back, and access is hindered by the small doors and their proximity to the rear wheel well. But adults of average height may still find the rear seats a pleasant place to be for moderate journeys.
Excellent ergonomics make the use of the many devices at hand easy to use. Critical controls are found on the steering wheel, while secondary switches are logically arranged on the dashboard and center console. Voice recognition makes the phone, radio and navigation systems very simple to operate.
Acura ZDX Driving Impressions
As with all Acura models these days, the emphasis here is on refinement. Acura's engineers took great care to exorcise unwanted noise and impacts, and the result is a very quiet and composed vehicle. On models equipped with the two-position (Sport or Comfort) Integrated Dynamics System that accompanies the Advance Package, the bandwidth is expanded enough to allow remarkably sporty driving on challenging roads.
Assisted by Acura's SH-AWD intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the ZDX steers accurately and hangs on well in fast turns. The extensive ride-motion control strategy (using magneto-rheological damping fluid that varies its viscosity in response to an electric current to vary shock damping) helps the ZDX retain a plush ride in more sedate applications. In those circumstances, the ZDX's opulent interior and comfortable seating provide an all-encompassing sense of privilege.
While it seems almost eerie to bend a large and heavy vehicle like the ZDX through the tortuous sections of a canyon road and have it stay on line and not wallow, the layer of relentless refinement still makes itself felt with a slightly remote steering feel and gearshifts, even when initiated manually, that are a touch sluggish in response.
In the base model, which goes without the variable damping system, shock tuning is clearly on the comfort side of the equation, yet the ZDX still acquits itself well on tortuous roads for a 4500-pound vehicle. But comfort and isolation are this car's priorities, and drivers needing a more sharply honed experience should probably look at Acura's RDX, which is lighter and more responsive in challenging terrain.
While it's hard to fault the beautiful 3.7-liter V6 engine's smooth and mellifluous performance in most circumstances, it has to be said that most of its power lives in the higher ranges. Torque isn't bad in the mid-range either, thanks to the VTEC variable valve-event technology, but low-rev urge isn't enough to overwhelm the two tons of luxury equipment without help from the obliging six-speed automatic.
Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 16/23 miles per gallon City/Highway, or 19 mpg Combined.
As for open-road conduct, there isn't much that can waft passengers along with better comfort, quietness and security than these big Acuras. Let's face it, that's what most shoppers in this segment are looking for, and in the ZDX they get it in spades.
Acura ZDX Final Word
The Acura ZDX offers an original take on the crossover concept. Along with the distinctive styling comes top-drawer refinement, elevated equipment levels with an ease of operation born of thoughtful engineering, and a sophisticated driving experience. Add Acura's peerless durability record and its stellar resale values, and it would be hard to make the wrong choice on a ZDX.
Barry Winfield filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com after driving the ZDX around Beverly Hills and Malibu, California.
Build and price your new Acura ZDX in a few easy steps. Our Vehicle Experts are ready to help you find the best price in your area for FREE!
- Affiliate Program
- |Advertising Opportunities
- |Buy Auto Leads
- |About Us
- |More Info
- |Need Help?
- |Mobile
- |Terms of Use
- |Privacy
- |Jobs
CARSDIRECT IS AN INTERNET BRANDS COMPANY. COPYRIGHT 1999-2012 CARSDIRECT.COM, INC.