The Acura ZDX is a sporty crossover designed to mimic the styling of a sports coupé. It is based on the same platform employed by Acura’s largest vehicle, the MDX. In the ZDX, the roofline sits a half feet lower than the MDX, and it sports five seats as opposed to the MDX, which can seat seven. It is longer than the MDX by a couple of inches. The ZDX falls into the newly created segment of cars, which was created by BMW with the X6. More and more manufacturers have started to venture into this previously unknown segment, with cars that offer the practicality and high driving position of an SUV while wearing a sporty design similar to a sports coupé.
Pros
- Excellent standard safety features
- Fresh and bold design
- Powerful engine
- Advance Package includes cutting edge features
- Fun to drive
Cons
- Unimpressive gas mileage
- Runs only on premium fuel
- Difficult ingress/egress
- Cramped back seats
- Lack of cargo space
Styling
The ZDX wears the familiar Acura chrome grille at the front, which now looks more aggressive than any other models made by the company. The Acura looks handsome from which ever angle it is viewed from, but looks especially brilliant in profile. The slopping roofline, blackened B-pillar, and the neatly hidden rear door handles make it look more like a large sports coupé. The 19 inch seven spoke wheels match the size of the car and add to the sporty appeal of the car.
Even though the car can seat five people comfortably, the rear seats are not as spacious as one would expect from a car of its size. The ZDX has by and far, the best interiors even seen in an Acura. The leather lined cabin and the elegant carpets gives rich aura to the interiors. The passengers are pampered with a long list of standard equipments. The list gets even longer with the addition of the optional packages.
Standard features include
- Panoramic glass roof
- 19 inch wheels
- Leather clad seats and dashboard
- Heated and power adjust front seats with memory for the driver’s seat
- 6-CD changer with Satellite Radio
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
- Reversing camera
The Technology Package includes
- Upgraded Milano leather upholstery
- Advanced satellite navigation system
- 8 inch LCD screen
- Premium stereo
- Keyless entry and start
The Advance Package includes
- LED ambient lighting
- Sports steering
- Ventilated front seats
- Adaptive cruise control
- Integrated Dynamics System
- Collision Mitigating Braking System
Performance
The car is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.7 liter engine that runs only on premium quality gasoline. The V6 that generates a healthy 300 horsepower is mated to a six speed automatic gearbox with sequential paddle shifters. The gearbox can be set to either drive or sports mode depending on the response that is required. The car features a permanent all wheel drive system. The ZDX can accelerate from zero to sixty mph in 6.5 seconds
- 300 hp V6 engine
- Runs only on premium fuel
- Six speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters
Drive
Despite the huge size of this car, it handles more like a sporty sedan. The all wheel drive system aids the car’s handling, while the Integrated Dynamics System allows the damper and the power steering settings to be altered to be sporty or comfortable, depending on the mode selected. The IDS and the brilliant all wheel drive system makes this car amazingly fun to drive. The optional adaptive cruise control allows relaxed cruising though the motorways.
- IDS works brilliantly delivering best of both worlds
- Handles like a sporty sedan
- All Wheel Drive system aids handling
Safety
The ZDX leaves no stones unturned when it comes to safety. The car has a total of six airbags to protect its occupants in the event of a crash. ABS, brake assist, traction control and ESP are standards in the car. It has active head restraints for the front seat to reduce injury to the neck in the even of a rear end collision. The advance package includes a collision mitigation system that uses radar to prevent collision. The system warns the driver, and then prepares the seat belts and finally brakes automatically in order to prevent the car from crashing into the one in front.
- Six airbags
- Optional collision mitigation system is a potential life saver
- ABS, brake assist, ESP, traction control standard
Overall
The Acura ZDX is a brilliant car that is fun to drive, good looking and extremely safe. However, the fun is limited only to the front two seats as the rear seats lack in both legroom and headroom.
2010 Acura ZDX Pictures
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