Acura may be late to the all-electric pool party, but it’s doing so with a splash, and some help from General Motors. The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S is the Japanese luxury brand’s entry to a growing segment, resurrecting an old nameplate in a modern, upscale, and stylish SUV. While objectively strong, the ZDX is missing the it factor that makes shoppers switch to an EV and feels too much like an American product.
There’s a lot to like with the ZDX Type S, but there are some notable drawbacks to the electric SUV that predominantly stem from Acura’s partnership with GM. In such a competitive class, leaving any room for improvement is a way to concede ground to competitors that are not only more well-rounded, but are also more charismatic.
What The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S Gets Right
The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S isn’t a standout in the class, but it’s more than a competent EV. It looks great, comes with advanced tech features, has a roomy cabin, and features a refined character. It’s not the most exciting EV in the world, but for a lot of shoppers, it doesn’t need to be.
A Svelte SUV
Some enthusiasts will be upset that the all-electric ZDX exists, but I’m not in that boat. Acura needed an electric SUV and the ZDX, especially in the Type S trim, looks amazing. The raked roofline and wide stance make it more along the lines of an elongated wagon instead of a midsize SUV. The dramatic lighting, especially the way the grille lights up, is just the cherry on top of what’s an already appetizing sundae.
Surprisingly Strong Value
Electric vehicles, especially those that compete in the luxury segment, aren’t known for being good value options, but the Acura ZDX somehow manages to give shoppers a lot for their money. The 2024 ZDX starts at $65,850, while the Type S costs $74,850. These aren’t small sums, but the electric SUV costs less than its main rivals and comes loaded with an impressive roster of equipment.
Quiet and Refined Character
One of the best qualities of EVs is how quiet and composed they can feel on the road. The electric powertrains do a great job of silently getting down the road, while the combination of heavy components and soft suspension result in vehicles that mask road imperfections and feel composed on the road. The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S may disappoint most drivers on a windy road, but its comfortable ride quality, quiet interior, and refined cruising characteristics make it the kind of EV you’ll want to drive every day.
What The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S Doesn’t Do Well
Acura desperately needed an electric SUV, which is why it reached out to GM for a platform and electric motors. The partnership makes sense, but it defines the 2024 Acura ZDX Type S. A few months before I tested the ZDX Type S, I had a press loan for the Chevrolet Equinox EV. The second I got into the ZDX Type S, it felt familiar to the Equinox EV. Most of the controls feel like they’ve been plucked from a Chevy and some materials do, too. Then there’s driving experience, which fails to be memorable.
Feels Like A Chevy
Sharing parts with another brand isn’t new and it wasn’t a terrible decision on Acura’s part, but the 2024 Acura ZDX Type S feels and looks too much like a GM product. When Chevrolets and Cadillacs are cheaper, offer a similar driving experience, and have similar interior materials, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for shoppers to spend the extra money to make the step up to the ZDX. As a Japanese luxury fan, I wish Acura had found a way to inject some of its DNA into the ZDX.
Struggles To Live Up To The Type S Badge
The “Type S” badge has been used on Acura’s sportiest offerings. The roster includes greats like the TLX and Integra and the lukewarm MDX. With that kind of sibling rivalry, one would expect the same raw performance from the 2024 Acura ZDX Type S, but it doesn’t live up to the same experience.
It’s comfortable and quiet, but its hefty mass and dual electric motors that are rated at 499 horsepower and 544 pound-feet of torque result in muted acceleration for a performance-oriented EV. Then there’s the handling, which, even with adaptive suspension, never feels that agile.
Verdict
The 2024 Acura ZDX Type S doesn’t live up to the “Type S” badge and the performance that the moniker promises, but that doesn’t put the electric SUV in the camp of bad options. If anything, it highlights why other ZDX trims are the better buy for most shoppers. The ZDX is comfortable, well-equipped, spacious, and quiet. Ditch the muted performance promises of the Type S and its hefty drop in range (278 miles with the Type S compared to 313 miles with the A-Spec) and go with another trim. That makes it easier to live with the low-quality cabin and lack of driving verve.
The all-electric ZDX Type S doesn’t live up to the original SUV’s bold conviction of doing things differently, but instead looks to blend in and not ruffle too many feathers. Only time will tell if Acura’s decision to play it safe pays off in the end.
