Is it a sports coupe, crossover, wagon...or...?
This year marks the 20th anniversary for Japan’s two largest luxury brands, Lexus and Infiniti, but it’s easy to forget that they were latecomers to the high-line market, following a half decade after the introduction of Acura. With its original Legend sedan, Honda’s up-market division disproved the naysayers who argued the Japanese would never be able to build a word-class luxury car.
Unfortunately, over the years, Acura has had, at best, a mixed record with the models that have followed the original four-door. It’s pitched some great ones at the market, including the MDX, the TL and the RL, but the marque’s latest model doesn’t even come close to the strike zone.
The 2010 Acura ZDX is probably the weakest product to join the maker’s line-up since its early mid-size Vigor. Indeed, it’s difficult to understand what Acura was trying to achieve with the new ZDX, which comes across as the automotive equivalent of a platypus, part crossover/SUV, part truck, part sport coupe. In this case, it all adds up to less than the sum of its parts.
The ZDX may be stylish, but the shape compromises function, especially when it comes to cargo and rear seat room.
Let’s begin by clarifying something that has confused even the automotive journalist community.
The 2010 Acura ZDX launches at the same time as the more mainstream Honda CrossTour, and that’s a compromised car as well. They are similarly styled and seem aimed at much the same market segment, (though the Honda buyer is looking for something a little more affordable). In fact, they are based on two entirely different platforms. The CrossTour is derived from the Honda Accord and delivers a much more car-like ride. The ZDX shares underpinnings with the more truck-like Acura MDX.
You feel that as soon as you get out on the road. The ZDX has notably more jounce in its ride. Considering our generally favorable review of the MDX, we’re surprised by the less than pleasant ride and handling of the new sport crossover.
Particularly disconcerting is the 2010 Acura ZDX’s steering. We were so disappointed we polled our colleagues after a recent media test day event and found the same sentiment among all who took the ZDX out for a ride. The most commonly heard word was “disconnected.” We not only felt disconnected from the road but sometimes wondered whether the steering wheel was directly linked to the tires. There was not just a significant amount of understeer but a general lack of predictability.
One of the nice things about the 2010 Acura ZDX is its 300 horsepower 3.7-liter V6, mated to a 6-speed auto gearbox and Super Handling-All-Wheel-Drive.
In terms of straight-line performance, the ZDX does have something going for it. The 3.7-liter V-6 makes an impressive 300 horsepower which is channeled through Acura’s new 6-speed automatic (a technology the Honda division was surprisingly late to market with).
Better yet, the 2010 ZDX is fitted with Acura’s SH-AWD, short for Super Handling-All-Wheel-Drive. Unlike conventional AWD systems, it’s intended to use torque vectoring, shifting extra power to the outside wheels while cornering to power you through a turn. On other Acura models, that really makes a difference when you’re racing through the tight-and-twisties. But with the ZDX’s mediocre steering and suspension, the payoff is largely lost.
Meanwhile, the new crossover’s towing capabilities are significantly reduced compared to the MDX, Acura’s new entry able to handle a load of no more than 1500 pounds.
The ZDX falls into a new category that we’ll call the sport crossover. The CrossTour is another example, as is the BMW X6. To our mind, the entire group has a questionable reason for existence. It’s like blending the worst elements of a sports coupe and SUV or crossover.
Buttons, buttons everywhere. Beyond the clutter, the 2010 Acura ZDX features an otherwise elegantly-appointed cabin.
With the ZDX that means a significant lack of room, especially in the rear seat – which is hard to access through the too-small rear doors. The crossover is rated a 5-seater, though that’s a stretch. You simply wouldn’t want to put a tall male passenger in back, but even an average sized woman would feel constrained. And the tapering roof line means a serious compromise in the cargo compartment, as well – it actually has less space there than the subcompact Honda Fit.
There are those who appreciate the overall styling theme, and the ZDX does get away from the classic boxy ute look. It would be a much more handsome product if Acura would just abandon that comic book-style grille that it has mandated all new products much share. It looks like it belongs in a Japanese manga, not on a luxury car, and the glossy chrome conflicts with most paint colors.
We have problems with the cabin design, as well, which features a blindingly busy instrument panel. Button, button, who’s got the button? Actually, there are buttons and switches everywhere. We’ve never been a huge fan of the BMW iDrive, but consolidating a few of these controls would make for a much better look.
The steep slope of the roof on the 2010 Acura ZDX creates a number of compromises.
If you can take your eyes off the clutter, you’ll discover an interior that is otherwise quite handsome, with elegant detailing, such as the way the Navi screen is mounted, some of the softest leather we’ve ever touched, and some nice features like loop carpeting.
One of the best touches, however, is the nearly full-length panorama glass roof that makes you almost feel like you’re in a convertible – minus the blasting breeze.
Our test car did not include the Advance pack, which features the same basic magneto-rheological suspension system that first debuted on the Chevrolet Corvette, some years back. That technology has a marvelous way of making bumps and jounces disappear while also giving you a firm grip on the road. We hope to test that option sometime soon and are betting it will significantly soften our concerns about the 2010 Acura ZDX.
We’d like to give the sport crossover at least a tepid endorsement, but when you consider the compromised passenger and cargo space, the disconnected steering and the way-too-over-the-top manga grille, the 2010 Acura ZDX really isn’t one of our favorites.