First Drive: 2010 Acura ZDX

The Canadian-built ZDX is the first vehicle designed by Acura’s new and autonomous North American studio in Torrance, California. Even though it has four doors, Acura calls the ZDX a “luxury four-door sports coupe,” (front doors are larger than the rear doors, and rear door handles are hidden, contributing to the coupe theme) but that really doesn’t capture the essence of this vehicle.

Nomenclature aside, Acura describes the ZDX as a vehicle for the “passionate getaway,” ideally suited for two adults and their cargo. It’s targeted to couples, empty nesters, and singles-on-the-go; people who are at a point in their lives where they don’t need or want a conventional SUV (let alone a minivan!) and the “practicality first” mentality that such vehicles can imply. I think the ZDX is more about a state of mind than anything else.

2010 Acura ZDX. Click image to enlarge.

Based on the 2010 Acura MDX SUV, the ZDX is likewise powered by the same high-compression (11.2:1) 3.7-litre, V6 that makes 300-horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 270 pound-feet torque at 4,800 rpm. Equipped with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), the ZDX introduces an all-new, paddle-shifting six-speed automatic transmission that uses “Grade Logic Control” to reduce gear “hunting” when climbing hills, and “Cornering G Shift Control” to reduce unwanted gear shifting when cornering.

In comparison with the MDX, the ZDX is 57 kilograms lighter (2,064 kg vs 2,007 kg) 137 millimetres lower (1,733 mm vs 1,595 mm), but is almost identical in length, width and ground clearance. Towing capacity, however, drops from 5,000 pounds to 1,500.

2010 Acura ZDX. Click image to enlarge.

Standard and Technology Package models will be available, with standard equipment including leather seating, leather wrapped steering wheel, power liftgate, rearview mirror with rearview camera display, 10-way power driver’s seat and eight-way power passenger seat, heated front and outboard rear seats, eight-speaker audio with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, panoramic roof and LED interior illumination.

Acura’s torque vectoring SH-AWD system (distributes torque between front and rear wheels as required, and from side-to-side at the rear), anti-lock brakes and traction control are also standard, and additional safety equipment includes electronic stability control (Acura’s Vehicle Stability Assist), Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, multiple airbags with side curtains, driver and front passenger knee bolsters, and an Occupant Position Detection System for passenger front side airbag,

The optional Technology Package upgrades interior trim to perforated “Milano” leather seating surfaces, navigation with trilingual (includes English and Quebec French) voice recognition, eight-inch LED backlit display, premium 10-speaker audio with 15-GB hard drive, headlamp washers, keyless access with smart key and a multi-view rear camera.