Change This, Not That: 2024 Acura ZDX Type S Review

Honda’s premium brand Acura is dipping its toe in the battery-electric vehicle game with the ZDX. It debuted in the spring and received a much better reception than its predecessor, a forgettable raked-roof sport utility vehicle (SUV) that predates today’s fastback-like German SUVs. Acura sells the ZDX in two grades, a base model and a ZDX Type S, with the latter offering more horsepower and torque and a sportier suspension, among other things. I drove the 2024 Acura ZDX Type S for a week in the frigid Midwest. The power from GM’s Ultium platform was expectedly prodigious, this must be the quickest Acura ever aside from the NSX sports car, and the handling was likewise great. However, there were compromises made inside and out, and the ZDX has a lot of competition to deal with. What we tested: Newsweek test drove a 2024 Acura ZDX Type S for this review. The two-row electric SUV has a starting price of $64,500 with a $1,350 destination charge added on. This ZDX Type S starts at $73,500. 2024 Acura ZDX Type S rear view. The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S has more power and torque than the standard ZDX. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 2024 Acura ZDX Type S front view. The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S is offered in rear- or all-wheel drive. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. KEEP: Powertrain With an electric motor on each axle, the Acura ZDX bolts from a stoplight, quietly, passing anything with less than a matching 500 horsepower. It takes just over four seconds to get to sixty miles per hour but it feels like less. It’s not a violent acceleration either. Nissans, Chevrolets and even normally-smooth Mercedes models can feel a little hairy when taking off from the line on strictly battery power. Here it feels smooth and controllable. CHANGE: Range calculator This goes for all electric vehicles, but the range calculator needs to be perfect. I took a trip to my property about an hour away. I started with 184 miles of range and the trip is 37 miles. I arrived with only a 132-mile range, a difference of 52 miles. However, on the way back I only lost 34 miles, less than the distance of the trip. Over the 74 miles I went through 86 range miles, which isn’t bad. I just didn’t like all of the math gymnastics range stress along the way. That said, a number of things affect range including speed traveled, load weight and driving conditions. In a world where charging opportunities can be sparse, using the in-car navigation to get to and from shows a predicted battery level upon arrival, alleviating some stress. And, it updates during the trip. But, for common routes that you know like the back of your hand, like the one I took to the cabin, I’m not likely to use navigation. The answer? More charging opportunities en route, and they’re on the way. KEEP: Chassis Not just content to take off like a rocket, the ZDX also grips the road tightly at speed. The heavy weight helps in that area as does the center of gravity, which is low because of the battery, but it still handles like a much smaller vehicle. Even when accelerating through a corner the ZDX just holds on and goes where it’s pointed, which shouldn’t surprise anyone as this vehicle comes from the same company that makes the Integra Type S and Honda Civic Type R. CHANGE: Honda interior As far as materials and switchgear are concerned, the Acura ZDX doesn’t feel different enough from the Honda Prologue (or other Hondas) to be special. Acura does an excellent job with the aforementioned Integra sedan and the MDX and RDX SUVs. Besides the colors and few flourishes, this just feels OK. 2024 Acura ZDX Type S interior. The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S features a large touchscreen with a physical radio volume knob. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 2024 Acura ZDX Type S interior. The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S has a similar interior to the Honda Prologue. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. KEEP: Smart storage and tech Despite those materials, the ZDX does have a bunch of places to store your small gear besides the wireless phone charger spot. There’s a flat spot in front of the cupholders that fit my keys and wallet and on the dashboard is a shelf with a raised lip to keep things from sliding off. That stuff has to stay in front of the passenger as it will cast a reflection, but it is a blessing for anyone who does a little work in their vehicle.