2010 Acura ZDX at the 2009 New York Auto Show

• Looks like: Acura saw the BMW X6 and said, “We’ve got to have one of those!”
• Defining characteristics: Hatchback body style, Acura’s not-going-away grille
• Ridiculous features: Acura hasn’t given up on the new grille
• Chance of being mass-produced: Goes on sale this fall, so 100%

Honda and Acura don’t often roll out concept cars. Instead, they reveal prototypes that closely resemble upcoming production vehicles. That’s definitely the case with the Acura ZDX crossover concept. The company announced today it will indeed go on sale this fall. We’d guess the first look at a final version will be at a press event shortly before the car goes on sale.

What will that production ZDX be like? It’ll feature a V-6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive along with 20-inch wheels, which we’d guess will be standard.

The company also promises an upscale cabin beyond what’s in current Acuras. High-tech features will include a blind spot detection system and multi-view rear camera. It will also have a panoramic glass sunroof, as all luxury crossovers must have these days. 

As for the styling … we’re not sure if the BMW X6 is really something to emulate.

Unfortunately, the ZDX’s best angle, the rear, isn’t represented well in Acura’s supplied press photos below. We’ll have more live shots later today.

Comments

So it's a hatchback on stilts.

No, it's an UGLY hatchback on stilts...

Uh, the interior is 95% identical to the new TL. Not that its a bad place to start, but I dont see anything new there. The outside is the real problem. I figure this will get about 15/22 so its going to be another guzzler from Acura. They did not need this unless they plan to phase out the RDX.

waste of time

This still has 5 seats. Which seperates it from the X6.

Great design, practical for most needs yet sleek. Much better looking than BMW at probably 2/3 the price. Great looking interior. Looking forward to test driving the production model.

6 speed auto, did I read it correctly? Honda finally made the 6 speed auto?

C,

Yes, they finally have a 6 speed auto. Looks like Acura will get one 6 months before the Chevy cruze launches with one.

This does not look better than X6. The FWD roots show in the long front overhang. BMWs always have great stances.

It's built by Acura, it's better looking than 99% of the fugly looking cross-overs out there, and will cost about 2/3 less than the X6. Sign me up!

What I like is some of the sporty angles in the overall design. The interior lines are clean and inviting. I like that Acura finally caught up and added another cog to the transmission. (Hope this get extended to the Hondas). But, overall I’m left with questions. Why Copy the X6 and “Why That Ugly beak?” Acura does not get the fact that most of us hate that goofy grill which they first framed on the MDX and then extended it to the entire line up. (BOO!) Have you ever seen that grill up close? It’s not even chrome. Well at least not on the TL? Proof, I recently I went to an Acura dealership to look at the TL; one of the TL’s on the lot (not the base model) had a scratch on the grill that revealed the black plastic underneath. That’s not even right! Down right Impeachable! Especially given the fact that this is supposed to be a luxury vehicle. Can you imagine what the grill will look like after a few months of parallel parking? In the ZDX in the pictures above, I don’t see doors handles for what looks like back doors. I hope this is because the vehicle shown is pre-production.
Overall I like Acura’s. I like the designs they’ve put out, as well as the fact that the Acura’s are sporty, fun, usually well made and dependable. I just don’t care for nor, can warm up to Acura’s new corporate beak (grill) also I had hoped to that the ZDX would have been more overall than what I saw in the pictures. I will definitely need to see a ZDX up close, in the flesh. Maybe then I can have a different feeling about this vehicle.

I’m sure people, who love the design of the X6 and can get past the grill, will flock to this vehicle especially given the fact that it will cost a lot less than an X6 and it’s from Acura.

lol, for a second, I thought this was the new CRX reincarnation that the Honda Corp. was promising, but i guess its actually Venza-sized... pity.

Cory,

It seems like "much cheaper than BMW" is becoming the #1 attribute of Acura models. Granted, European luxury cars are very expensive but the relative value of the ZDX doesn't make it attractive or practical. I can't think of many luxury CUVs that look worse than this. The Q5 and 2010 SRX certainly look better.

what's up with Honda being a copycat theses days???? 1st it was the Insight copying the Prius, now Acura copying the X6. I expect this from the other H, not the this H!!!!

If you look at the head on picture, the headlights faintly resemble the RL's lights.

J, just to let you know the insight is a very old car.....it came out much before the prius. Anyway the prius is a piece of garbage compared to that new insight.

It looks like I just found my next car to trade my FX in on. Beautiful looking vehicle backed by Acura quality is a Win-Win. I'm in!

RE no door handles for back doors - I assumed they were "suicide" doors with hinges in the rear. Would only open from inside or a super powerful button on the key fob.

Re the missing door handles I assumed the rear doors were "suicide" doors with hinges in the rear. Could only be opened from inside or with super powerful button on the key fob.