First impression: 2010 Acura ZDX

The ZDX is a combination of an SUV and a coupe-like four-door sedan (think Mercedes-Benz CLS and Volkswagen CC shape), with Acura MDX underpinnings. This genre-crossing vehicle is an attempt to merge usability and all-weather ability in a package that still retains the driving enjoyment of a sporty coupe. When it goes on sale in late 2010 the ZDX will feature the same 3.7-liter, 300-hp V6 found in the MDX, combined with Acura’s first-ever six-speed automatic transmission.

Like its SUV sibling, the ZDX is fitted with standard all-wheel drive. Called SH-AWD (for Super Handling), the system usually sends 90 percent of the power to the front wheels, but it can send up to 70 percent to the rear wheels for “sporty” driving. SH-AWD also can send 100 percent of the rear-wheel torque to one side of the vehicle. We found that this system added little value in the RL and RDX on the road but reduced understeer when pushed to its cornering limits on our track.

A new feature that is being introduced on the ZDX is Acura’s Integrated Dynamic System (IDS), which offers a Comfort and Sport setting. By rotating the large (and somewhat out of place) switch on the dash to Sport, the steering response is firmed up and the suspension dampening rate is stiffened.

Behind the wheel

Consumer Reports staffers had a chance to drive the upcoming Acura ZDX at a recent media event outside New York City. We drove it in heavy Manhattan traffic, as well as on twisty secondary roads in the towns and counties north of the City. Below are our first impressions:

At first glance it is obvious that style has trumped utility in some aspects of the ZDX, and Acura representatives haven’t been shy in stating that the main purpose of the vehicle is to carry a driver and a single passenger—and their belongings—to their destination in comfortable luxury. The targeted DINKs (dual-income, no kids) and empty nesters often have friends, so there are seating positions for three rear-seat occupants. However, it’s best if those passengers are well shorter than six-feet tall and don’t mind close-quarters seating.

The low-roof and close-quarters seating contributes to a cave-like feel, which is offset somewhat by the full glass roof. The front part of the panoramic sunroof opens and closes like any other, while the fixed panel above the rear seats has a retractable sunshade. Cabin materials are first rate, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces and high-quality materials.

One interesting feature is an available multi-view rear camera. Users can toggle through three views, including a wide-angle fisheye view and a top-down view--handy for parking or trying to exit a parallel-parking situation without tapping the vehicle behind.

The ZDX will be available in three trim levels. Moving from the base model, the Technology package will include the rear camera, real-time traffic and weather information in the navigation system, and keyless entry. The top-level Advance package includes IDS, adaptive cruise control, and the blind spot warning system. Pricing hasn’t been formally announced, but Acura says the base price will be in between the $41,000 MDX and the $47,000 RL sedan, and they are expecting sales of no more than 6,000 units per year.

Jeff Bartlett: The ZDX is an appealing idea. I favor the versatility of a hatchback and can appreciate the sure-footed confidence AWD can provide in northern regions. In person, the car is quite attractive—more so than in the flat lights at auto shows. However, my enthusiasm waned once I sat in the vehicle. The simple showroom experience will deter many buyers. Up front, the high floor puts the driver and passenger in a lounge-like seating position, with legs extended, rather than a more natural and comfortable bend. The rear seat is more like a subcompact coupe than a midsize sedan. The sloping roof and high door sill make it difficult to even enter the back seat. Once there, head room is so limited that at my modest stature, I would have to bend forward allowing the back of my head to touch the headliner, or lean far to the side. Sure the target may be affluent couples, but empty nesters likely have grown, full-sized children and/or friends. The rear cargo area is disappointing as well, with a high load floor and narrow width. Looks like a hard sell, given that the much more functional MDX has a lower base price.

Jon Linkov: I liked the ZDX a lot more than I thought I would, particularly after driving versions with and without IDS. The IDS-equipped car did nothing for me in comfort mode, where the steering felt overly-boosted and disconnected from the wheels, and the suspension floated over bumps to the point of being unsettling. But the sport mode was much more enjoyable—until I drove the non-IDS car. The steering in that model was fine, well-weighted and giving plenty of feedback. I’m still on the fence about the styling, and wonder if the ZDX (and the similar BMW X6) is an answer to a question that made sense before $4.00 gas, a financial meltdown, and plummeting car sales. As a fan of sport wagons, I’m worried that this type of vehicle is the future, as manufacturers and buyers (or vice versa) shun the efficient small/midsize wagon in favor of these larger, more CAFE-friendly/avoiding SUV-like vehicles.

Comments

[Cale]

The ZDX looks exciting. That will be enough for many affluent buyers.

[CyCarConsulting]

Did the designer of the Pontiac Aztec van have a hand in this?

[Bill]

The grill is unacceptable.

[coolcar]

It really comes down to this (for the x6, Crosstour, and 5-series GT also): Is there really a market for a swoopy, pricey, cramped SUV in today's world?

[UpperLevel]

Acura and Lexus must be sharing designers now.

[Pawel]

What's wrong with the grill? Not every car wants a grill like BMW or Buick. Originality is good.
I also don't know if I agree to these small backseat spaced crossover's. Tall people enjoy the rear seats too.
In all, just another pretty new crossover but with a luxary touch.

[Sjones]

This vehicle is unsightly, inefficient and impractical. That said, it will probably score well in CR because its an Acura and virtually every Honda/Acura product is revered by this publication. The same design flaws that would doom this vehicle if it carried a Cadillac badge will be ignored and it will be recommended like every other Acura. I do hope this will be tested alongside the SRX so I can see how much worse the Cadillac does even though its a more practical vehicle than this Acura.

[coolcar]

Sjones-

CR has tested many Honda/Acuras that were not all that imressive, such as the Acura RL, new Acura TL, Honda Pilot, Honda Insight, and the Acura TSX. The Insight scores too low even to be recommended! However, most of Honda's product line still maintains the quality that made the company so successful in the first place - and you see that by every other publication, in addition to CR.

Meanwhile, many older GM and current Chrysler models did not meet expectations in terms of performance and quality. In general, Honda has been making better cars than GM in the past, but this is subject to change; most new GMs score relatively highly (Cadillac CTS, Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Malibu and Traverse, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, and others.