Overview & Reviews

The Acura ZDX was an automotive oddity. Depending on your perspective, it either answered a question no one asked or served as an extreme exercise in vehicular form over function. Essentially a rebodied second-generation Acura MDX, the ZDX had a fastback style that cut deeply into the rear passenger and cargo compartments. That sloping roof eliminated more than 3 inches of rear-seat headroom, making the rear seating suitable only for shorter adults or kids. Maximum cargo space suffered, too, measuring only about two-thirds of the MDX's.

With its swoopy styling and much shorter stance (it's 5 inches lower than its contemporary MDX), the ZDX would seem to have a handling advantage over the MDX. Sadly, that isn't the case. In our testing the MDX either equaled or beat the ZDX in every performance category, making the ZDX an impractical curiosity and a hard vehicle for us to recommend.

Most Recent Acura ZDX
The first and only generation of the Acura ZDX spanned 2010-'13. No significant changes occurred during its lifetime.

The midsize luxury crossover was powered by a 3.7-liter V6 with 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic with manual shift control was the only available transmission. The ZDX came with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system that seamlessly transferred power to individual wheels to maximize handling and grip through turns in fair or foul weather conditions.

Standard equipment included 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power heated front seats, leather upholstery, Bluetooth and a power liftgate. The standard audio system featured an in-dash six-CD changer, satellite radio, a USB/iPod interface and an auxiliary audio jack. Optional equipment highlights included keyless ignition and entry, ventilated front seats, a navigation system, a multiview parking camera, an upgraded audio system and an electronically adjustable suspension.

In reviews, we found that despite its sportier, rakish appearance, the Acura ZDX wasn't really a better performer than the already athletic MDX. The SH-AWD system provided impressive levels of grip and control, though the available adjustable suspension didn't offer enough of a performance upgrade to justify its added cost. The 3.7-liter V6 sounded inspiring and boasted a strong midrange, but lacked low-end grunt. The ZDX also came up short in useful cargo space. Behind the rear seats, up to 26 cubic feet could be stuffed to the glass. With the seats folded flat, maximum cargo space only increased to 56 cubes, well short of other midsize luxury SUVs.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 20.00

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  Love my ZDX - 2012 Acura ZDX
  By goddard6 - April 22 - 4:29 pm

  Just bought my 2012 ZDX w/Advanced Package. This car is great!! Bought it brand new from the Acura Dealer, no one wanted to buy it, which made it good for me!

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  ZDX perfect for me, not for everyone - 2012 Acura ZDX
  By grandpagolfer - July 2 - 7:03 pm

  I love my ZDX! That said, I am a retiree, and probably 90% of my trips include just my wife and I. This car is as close to a sporty car as I want to go, but I get a kick out of the many positive comments I get on its style etc. I have running boards, which light up at night to the extent that when I approach my car in the dark and unlock the doors, it looks like a cruise ship. I also dont haul much, and dont plan to, so the big negative versus the MDX (my old car), lack of cargo space, is moot for me. The interior of this car is the nicest, classiest interior Ive ever seen in an automobile, and my two closest neighbors drive Lexuses and Mercedes (biggest models of each).

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  ZDX... Whos this car designed for? - 2012 Acura ZDX
  By ericdise - March 25 - 8:51 am

  The most frequent question asked about the ZDX is "Why?" The automotive magazines and automotive websites all want to slot this car in the crossover category when just like the BMW X6, it just doesnt fit. Is this really a problem? I dont think so. This car is an able, capable, looker! It stands out in the crowd and always provokes favorable comments wherever I go. In a world where so few cars stand out (Mini Cooper, Fiat, Fisker are exceptions), the ZDX stands out and I love that aspect more than anything else. The ZDX is luxurious, well-equipped, and fun to drive. The Advance Package is recommended as the features aid the driver tremendously. This is a great vehicle but not for everyone.

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  12 ZDX - 2012 Acura ZDX
  By keybd29 - November 18 - 9:12 am

  This car is lightening agile lane to lane but in a sustained curve it tends to roll and under steer. I believe this is because the zdx has a high center of gravity and perhaps made worse because of its heavy all-glass roof. The zdx has very poor throttle response, just lots of lag, and utterly no steering feedback! Keep your eyes glued to the road! Build quality is super and interior cabin is quiet. Rear seating in too cramped for most adults except for short trips, and, I find that even in the drivers seat my head often brushes the roof. IMO driver controls are dangerously complicated. All in all I find the zdx middling to poor in terms of fun to drive.

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  Wife choose a weird looking Crossover - 2011 Acura ZDX
  By ginter2 - September 6 - 8:10 am

  Its either you love the way it looks or you hate it. Great on the highway but living in the NY area driving in the city can be a bit nerving. Lets face it , there are numerous blind spots and Id never ever drive it in the city if it didnt have the Advantage Pkg. This SUV is heavy @ 4500 pounds and you feel it. When I drive it I keep it in sport mode. Their are soooo many bells and whistles that it may take a good 6 months to learn them all. You never need to take your hands off the wheel. Just tell the car what you want and it does it.....short of driving itself. You feel very safe in this monster. Hense the huge price tag. Its only been about 3 weeks. Just add some wings to this baby!

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  Great in the Snow! - 2010 Acura ZDX
  By rgj21 - January 27 - 3:10 pm

  I have had the ZDX for six months and I do like it quite a bit. There are a couple of negatives but overall it is a very fine vehicle--well designed and built and great to look at. I particularly want to note that it is outstanding in the snow. Acura has been running commercials featuring its SUV line capering around on ski slopes. It is all true! This car performs extremely well in snow. When a very ugly 6 inches hit here in the Mid Atlantic, the ZDX handled it like a champ when others failed. The technology package is spectacular. The only criticisms are 1) seat comfort--very stiff, not luxurious, promotes fatigue IMHO 2) gas mileage: not good at all. That is disappointing

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  A perfect 10,but maybe not for everyone - 2010 Acura ZDX
  By Hilbily 385 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I really like this car. Its clearly not for everyone and although its a crossover its capacity is limited so in reality its a hatchback coupe with four doors. We also have a Honda van and an Acura MDX so this is my personal driver. Its comfortable, with a lot of nice features, plenty of power and a fun car to drive. Im now looking for places to drive it I enjoy it so much.

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  Sunroof Air Leaks and Rattles - 2010 Acura ZDX
  By gea001 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Love many aspects of this car - exterior styling, interior comfort and design, tech features, sound system etc...price/value equation vs. BMW X6 Have had sunroof quality/adjustment issue which I did not expect from Acura. Acceleration/Power/MPG trade-off not that compelling vs BMWs Ive owned.

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  This car is a beast! - 2010 Acura ZDX
  By Eichler34 - November 3 - 2:00 am

  First my disclaimer: Ive taken this car on 2 lengthy test-drives and because we are a family of 5 we decided on the MDX over this. That being said, this car made me want to force the issue and try to cram 3 people in the back. The over-the-top bold and modern design inside and out must be seen in person to appreciate. The car drives incredibly smooth and quiet even in sport mode. The speed and handling are top notch, it has the most comfortable car seats Ive ever used, and they are heated and cooled seats, and the cooled seats are what luxury is all about, they work really well. The blind spot warning system is a must and works to perfection.

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  Incredible look, High rev fun, Reliable - 2010 Acura ZDX
  By Ronny - October 29 - 2:00 am

  Wow, what a car!!! Just need more power!!!!