We Were Unprepared for the Initial Acura ZDX

That’s why car enthusiasts perceive it similarly to how they view the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet—it’s divisive, yet somewhat commendable in its audacity and peculiarity. Regardless of your affinity or aversion towards it, encountering one always adds an element of intrigue. Prior to the surge in popularity of performance-oriented SUVs, spotting a ZDX was akin to witnessing a real-life video game anomaly. Does its presence truly bring good fortune? Perhaps, perhaps not, but they’re as rare, if not more so, than a four-leaf clover.

The ZDX’s limited sales figures dealt a significant blow to Acura’s gamble—and it was indeed a gamble to introduce this kind of vehicle back in 2010—as the ZDX marked Acura’s first model entirely conceived at the then-fresh Acura Design Studio in Southern California. Subsequently, it underwent engineering in Ohio and manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario, Canada.

This isn’t to imply that its design was subpar; quite the contrary. Beyond the controversial Acura “beak” characteristic of that era, the ZDX’s daring physique is its defining trait, and in present times, I believe it exudes an appealing aesthetic. Based on the Honda Pilot/Acura MDX SUV platform, it measures 192.4 inches in length, 85.6 inches in width, and 62.8 inches in height, with a 108.3-inch wheelbase. In many respects, it resembles a lifted Acura RSX coupe, featuring a sharp front end, an exceptionally high beltline, small windows creating a fortress-like cabin, a sloping roofline, and a stout rear end. However, it sported four doors instead of two.

Nevertheless, this form factor translated into extremely constrained interior space, prompting many to question the rationale behind the ZDX and all SUVs that prioritize style over roominess. The rear seating was cramped, and the rear cargo area only offered 26.3 cubic feet of storage behind the seats, expanding to 55.8 cubic feet with the seats folded (albeit with under-floor storage option). For instance, a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, at 193.5 inches long, provides 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

Similar to the X6, the ZDX is a vehicle one purchases out of admiration and desire, not for its practicality or value proposition. Despite its coupe-like appearance, its weight ranging from 4,424 to 4,462 pounds is perched high above the ground.

The introduction of a Type S variant for the current MDX signifies a shift towards performance-focused crossovers and SUVs. While sales of coupes and sports sedans have dwindled, sporty elevated vehicles have garnered substantial market traction, leading many automakers to develop models that merge sleek styling and performance attributes (to some extent) onto SUV and crossover platforms. Examples include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mercedes-AMG GLE63, and Audi Q8. Even brands like Lotus and Lamborghini now offer utility vehicles. Moreover, in the realm of SUVs with unconventional designs, models like the BMW X4, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, Mercedes GLC Coupe, Audi Q5 Sportback, and more have emerged. It’s a significant trend, and the Acura ZDX was among the pioneering models that paved the way for this movement.

Upon its debut, the original ZDX did not gain traction, yet Acura is now considering the possibility of introducing it again. There are limited specifics available presently, making it uncertain how the forthcoming ZDX will be designed and its dimensions. Nevertheless, Acura has stated that the new model will operate on electric power and draw influence from the Precision concept.

Moreover, a Type S version is in the pipeline to expand Acura’s latest Type S series, which already features the Integra, MDX, TLX, and NSX. Given the rapid response and stable center of gravity characteristic of electric vehicles, it seems logical to construct a coupe SUV in this manner. Perhaps this is the destiny the ZDX was always meant to fulfill, but the final judgment will be reserved until we accumulate more information, get a glimpse of its appearance, and actually test the vehicle.