2024 Acura ZDX, Leaning on GM’s Ultium Architecture, Goes Electric with 500 HP

• The Acura ZDX is the first battery-electric vehicle for Honda’s luxury brand and is projected to start in the $60,000 range.
  

• Acura estimates the ZDX Type S will offer 500 hp.

• The most range-friendly single-motor ZDX boasts 325 miles of EPA range.

After a year-long wait, the production-ready version of Acura’s first battery-electric machine is finally here. The ’24 Acura ZDX takes the Acura Precision concept and puts it into a realistic shell, with even more realistic specs. The team at Acura also plans to get this BEV crossover onto streets next year.

Powering the ZDX is either a single electric motor or a pair of them. In single motor trim, the ZDX A-Spec sends 340 hp to the rear wheels. There’s also a dual-motor A-Spec variant that advertises the same horsepower. At the top of the ZDX’s food chain is the ZDX Type S with a pair of electric motors throwing 500 hp to the wheels.

The single-motor ZDX A-Spec is the most range-friendly and advertises 325 miles per charge. Its dual-motor A-Spec sibling shaves 10 miles off that range. That range penalty only gets bigger for the Type S, which claims 288 miles per charge.

Feeding all of these ZDX crossovers is the same 102-kWh battery (derived from General Motors’ Ultium architecture) that is nestled underneath the ZDX’s floor and arranged to help distribute the heft evenly.

That helps give this ZDX almost a 50/50 weight distribution. Though, more importantly, Acura says this ZDX can pack 190 kW of DC fast charging into the battery, which adds 81 miles worth of charge in 10 minutes.

Of course, the battery-electric powertrain will play quietly in the background. Most folks climbing behind the wheel of the ZDX will care more about this Acura’s interior. Fixed atop the dashboard is an 11.3-inch touchscreen media system, which is flanked by an 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both are part of this media system, but Acura is also loading it with Google Built-in. That means your favorite Google apps, like Google Maps, are readily accessible. Supplying your favorite podcast is an audio system from Bang & Olufsen.

The team at Acura stuffed all of this in a 197.7-inch long and 77-inch-wide shell. That makes this Acura slightly smaller than the company’s MDX crossover, and a little larger than Chevrolet’s Blazer EV.

While the ZDX is nearly an inch shorter in total length compared to the MDX, the ZDX’s 121.8-inch wheelbase is 8.0 inches longer than its stablemate. That should equate to a good experience on the highway, but we’ll find out when we get behind the wheel.

This whole package rides on a set of steel springs for A-Spec badged ZDX crossovers. For the ZDX Type S, Acura pivots to an adjustable air suspension. Multi-link front and rear suspensions control the Acura ZDX A-Spec’s 20-inch wheels.

The basic suspension design hangs around for the ZDX Type S, but the wheels now span 22 inches. The ZDX Type S also adds a set of yellow Brembo six-piston front brake calipers that clamp a massive set of 15.6-inch rotors.

Acura says the ZDX is scheduled to reach customers early next year with a base price in the $60,000 range. Of course, if you want to add an extra motor to your A-Spec, or opt for the potent Type S, that base price will rise accordingly.

Is Acura’s first splash in electrification on the mark? Tell us your thoughts below.