Video: 2024 Acura ZDX Up Close: Not Your Typical Acura SUV

The ZDX shares a lot of its architecture with the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Honda Prologue. What it doesn't share a lot of its looks with is the previous ZDX, which was a crazy coupe SUV thing that never really sold that well. The front styling for the ZDX has Acura signature diamond pentagon grill, although it's not really a grill here because this is an EV, as well as chicane style headlights. Along the sides here you get this nice floating roof design. I've really come to like this over the years, although I wasn't a huge fan at first and then in back you get more of the chicane style lighting that Acura is known for. The overall silhouette is very traditional SUV, which is really surprising, again, given how weird the original ZDX looked. But I really like it. It's refreshingly normal. Now let's check out the inside. Inside the ZDX, it is surprisingly a lot more GM than I expected, even having seen photos of it. Pretty much everything you see in front of you is right out of the General Motors parts bin and before you think that's a complaint, it's not. I really like this. You get Acura materials quality with GM control layout, so physical climate controls. This touchscreen display is right out of the GM parts bin. The gear selector on the column is right out of the GM parts bin. Also, right out of the GM parts bin is Acura's Hands-Free Cruise. It's their first hands-free driver assistance system. It works on over 400,000 miles of pre-mapped highways and if that sounds like Super Cruise to you, that's because it pretty much is. Also new to Acura for the first time is Google built in in the infotainment system. We've had some issues with it in other models, but hopefully the kinks are getting worked out. It will do things like route planning and precondition the battery if you set DC fast charging as a destination. Also exclusive to the ZDX is the 18 speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo, which Acura says was specifically designed for the ZDX. The cockpit is very comfortable, it's very snug, it's very sporty. I really like it. One of the things I like most about this cockpit though, is that it doesn't have Acura's really frustrating touch pad control system. For the touchscreen, it is what I can't believe I'm saying, a good old fashioned touchscreen. So that's where we are today. Let's go check out the backseat. The backseat of the ZDX is fairly comfortable. It could use a little bit more cushioning on the second row bench, I feel like I'm sitting on top of the cushions. The padding is a bit too firm and I wouldn't mind if my knees were a little bit lower. But overall, good amount of leg room, good visibility out the side windows and excellent visibility through this panoramic sunroof that really helps open up the cabin. I also really enjoy the climate controls down here on the center console as well as the charging ports and the household outlet. Overall good backseat of a good mid-size SUV. Not a whole lot to complain about. Just a few tweaks that I think could improve passenger comfort. All versions of the all electric ZDX come with 102 kilowatt hour battery pack. In the A-Spec, you can get single motor rear wheel drive that gives you an estimated 340 horsepower and 325 miles of range. You can also get that with all-wheel drive, dual motor all-wheel drive that gives you about 315 miles of estimated range, but Acura hasn't revealed just how much horsepower that power train would have. The Type S gets dual motor all-wheel drive exclusively with an estimated 500 horsepower with about 288 miles of range. All versions of the ZDX can charge on DC Fast Charging at up to 190 kilowatts. According to Acura's estimates, that's about 81 miles of range in 10 minutes of charging in ideal conditions. The A-Spec also gets an adaptive air suspension, unique 22 inch wheels and summer performance tires are optional to give you a little bit more fun on the road. The whole package is refreshingly normal and impressively sporty sounding and we can't wait to drive it and find out just how sporty it actually is. For more on the 2024 ZDX and everything else here at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, you can find it on cars.com.