2024 Acura ZDX Type S: Balancing Act

In the lush countryside just outside Santa Barbara, Calif., West Coast Bureau Chief Conner Golden finally got his hands on the 2024 Acura ZDX — the final piece of the Honda-GM puzzle. Whereas the also-new Honda Prologue pulls its bones from the Chevrolet Blazer EV, the ZDX cites the Cadillac Lyriq as its primary source, sharing a general platform, powertrain, battery and structure with the Caddy.

At launch, the ZDX is offered in two distinct flavors, with the base A-Spec offering both a single- and dual-motor setup. The single-motor ZDX sounds capable with 340 horsepower at the rear wheels and 325 miles of range, but we’re guessing most customers will cash out for the dual-motor A-Spec that boosts power to 490 hp. However, Golden spent all of his time with the ZDX Type S, the highest performance variant available thus far and the torquiest Acura ever put to production with 499 hp and 544 pounds-feet of torque. In typical Type S fashion, the focus here is to cut a balance between comfort and performance, offering a package less aggressive than a BMW M or Mercedes-AMG product, but spicier than a base Bimmer or Benz.

That’s job well done with the ZDX Type S, as in addition to the extra juice, an adaptive performance air suspension and a set of six-piston Brembo front brakes offer more engagement than any of its GM-Honda siblings save the forthcoming Blazer EV SS. It’s not the pocket rocket the Integra Type S is or the big, three-row turbo cruiser the MDX Type S is, but it’s not meant to be. If we were picking amongst the four aforementioned all-electric crossovers, Golden thinks this is likely the one to take home.

For more on why, watch the video above for our full breakdown and thoughts on the intriguing (and rather expensive) 2024 Acura ZDX Type S.


Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:50 Powertrain and range
1:13 Type S breakdown
1:49 Styling
2:14 Air suspension info
2:35 GM DNA
3:01 Interior impressions
3:26 Super Cruise
3:46 Driving impressions
4:00 Understanding the Type S brand
4:47 ZDX Type S handling and feel
5:20 Power and acceleration
6:07 Regenerative braking balance
6:40 Ride and suspension on-road
8:09 One-pedal driving
9:11 Pricing and outro

Editorial mission:

[swerves]

Thank you for calling Honda/Acura out on the GM fit and finish on this and the Prologue - the lack of other car "journalists" bringing this up has been WILD

[KerryDavie]

When is Acura gonna launch a "Pure" acura electric product?

[toasternfriends]

I gave my info to 3 dealerships nearby, told them to call me when they're ready to offload some of their massive inventory for 30% off MSRP.

One already called me offering 20% off. Hahahahahah.

[GS-smjo]

Complete GM made POS. This is the beginning of the end of Honda.