Acura ZDX

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The Acura ZDX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV developed by Honda for its upmarket brand Acura. The car was originally scheduled to be called the Acura MSX. The ZDX debuted at the 2009 New York International Auto Show on April 8, 2009. The vehicle was also the first to be completely designed at Acura's southern California design studio in Torrance.

The original ZDX concept was penned by Michelle Christensen who labeled it a "4-door luxury sports coupe" and which Acura says "blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle."

The car has been said to be a "new level of prestige for Acura." It features Acura's first six speed automatic transmission, advanced ventilated seats, as well as other luxury appointments. Although the ZDX shares a similar profile with the Honda Crosstour, the two vehicles are not mechanically related: the latter is based on the Honda Accord, while the ZDX is based on the Honda Pilot/Acura MDX.

Honda announced in a press release on October 10, 2012, that 2013 would mark "the final year on the market for ZDX as the Acura brand sharpens its focus on new models and core products."

Video Acura ZDX

Concept version

Five teaser shots, released by Acura between March 16 and 20, 2009, indicated a coupe-like sloping roofline akin to that of the BMW X6, which led many observers to believe that is its direct competitor. After the announcement about naming the vehicle ZDX, Acura added the words "Luxury Four-Door Sports Coupe" to the caption for each picture. Moreover, it did not state the vehicle as a crossover or an SUV. The automaker translated the designers renderings almost literally into production sheetmetal. It's all but unheard-of for a rookie designer to have sketches embraced by a car company and put into production with so few changes.

Maps Acura ZDX

Production version

The announced version includes the 3,664 cc (3.664 L; 223.6 cu in) SOHC VTEC V6 all-aluminum engine rated 300 bhp (220 kW) at 6300 rpm and 270 lb?ft (366 N?m) at 4500 rpm, 6-speed automatic transmission, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), 19-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof with movable sunshades, hand-stitched leather interior, HandsFreeLink Bluetooth connectivity, power tailgate, and a high-powered audio system with CD player, AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio and USB audio interface with iPod integration. Sales began in winter 2009.

Technology Package adds the Navigation System with voice recognition, an Acura/ELS Surround premium audio system and a new multi-view rear camera. Advance Package adds blind spot monitoring system, Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), which brought multiple modes of suspension firmness and response using electronically-controlled Magneto-Rheological shock absorbers.

For 2013, in a last ditch attempt, Acura sold the ZDX in only one trim level. Acura cut costs by eliminating CMBS, ACC and IDS and replaced them with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), redesigned front grille, integrated parking sensors, power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors, and new dark accents for the wheels. This resulted in a MSRP ($51,815) over $5K less than the previous year advance model.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel consumption estimates for all models are 16 mpg_-US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg_-imp) in the city, 22 mpg_-US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg_-imp) on the highway and 19 mpg_-US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg_-imp) combined.

Discontinuation

Introduced in April 2009 as a 2010 model, the ZDX was discontinued after the 2013 model year due to poor sales even though it was the only Acura to offer a panoramic moonroof. Looking to the numbers: We find ZDX to be the rarest of U.S. manufactured Acura offerings, with a total of 7191 vehicles produced and sold in North America.