MotorTrend: First Look Acura ZDX

[SirB]

The ZDX is the first vehicle designed entirely at Honda's $15 million Acura Design Studio in Torrance, California. It's the work of a young design team -- Damon Schell, project leader, Michelle Christensen, whose theme sketches were adopted for the exterior, and interior designer Michael Wiedeman -- are all well under 40. The ZDX shares many design cues with the controversial TL sedan, though the execution is thankfully much less cartoonish. In fact, the production version, which will differ on in minor detail, will arguably be the best looking vehicle in the Acura range when it goes on sale this fall. read more

[zdxtasy]

http://www.acura.com/content/pdf/MotorTrend_article.pdf

[ZDX69]

Arrival: 2010 Acura ZDX

Sports Car SUV with Space-Race Styling
From the September, 2010 issue of Motor Trend
/ By Allyson Harwood
/ Photography by Jessica Germiller, William Walker

The 2010 Acura ZDX is in an elite subcategory of the SUV world. How many have basically abandoned off-road ability and instead shifted complete focus to on-road high performance? Two: the BMW X6 and the ZDX. How many have 4-door sport coupe/SUV styling? The same 2. It's the same combination of futuristic styling and impressive performance that makes this vehicle so intriguing.

At Motor Trend's 2010 Sport/Utility of the Year competition, the ZDX was hands-down the vehicle that generated most comments on styling. One tester said, "I'll admit it: I was taken aback -- no, shocked -- by my first sight of the ZDX in the metal. This thing is out there -- to my eye, way edgier and more futuristic-looking than the X6. But the more I looked, the more I found the ZDX...interesting. Even...stunning." Another: "Calling the ZDX distinctive is an understatement. It looks otherworldly." This doesn't even take into account the praise for the leather-wrapped cabin, excellent handling, and impressive straight-line performance. How could we not get 1 to try out for a year?

We recently got the keys to our long-term 2010 Acura ZDX. While there are three models available, we opted for the topline ZDX with Advance Package. This model comes with Super-Handling AWD, the 300-horse, 3.7-liter V-6, and 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters found in the rest of the line, but adds satellite radio, 10-speaker surround-sound audio with hard drive, auxiliary jack and USB interface, 10-way power-adjustable heated driver sport seat (8-way for the front passenger), panoramic glass roof, power tailgate, and 19-inch wheels. Further, the Advance tacks on an Integrated Dynamic System, Collision Mitigation Braking, blind-spot information system, ventilated front seats, and adaptive cruise control. All in, our long-term ZDX cost $56,905.

The test crew has already put our long-term tester through its paces at the track, where it hit 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and its lateral grip was an impressive 0.83 g. It stopped from 60 mph in 129 feet. Many of our editors have also put the ZDX through its paces, and none has been left unimpressed. A few, though, have noted some shortcomings-namely, that the back seat is snug and that entrance and egress are tricky (it's easy to hit your head because of the sloping roofline). But this is not necessarily a vehicle for people with big families, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem; plus, the gorgeous interior, adjustable suspension, and excellent performance more than make up for it. We'll let you know how the ZDX fares over the next year.

[SirB]

0-60 in 6.5 seconds is not that bad actually...