Part of being an automotive journalist is to maintain a degree of objectivity when reviewing cars. With that said, the first Ultium-based vehicle I reviewed a few months ago—the Equinox EV—was a bit of a letdown, so I was expecting more of the same from this 2025 Acura ZDX Type S. But as soon as I set off in the ZDX, I realized the full potential of how good the Ultium platform really is, and certainly deserving of the Type S badge.
The ZDX debuted back in 2009, as Acura wanted to enter the coupe-ified SUV market that BMW started with their X6. The first-generation ZDX lasted only until 2013 after poor sales, but the nameplate is back this year as the brand’s first electric vehicle offering. It’s the byproduct of Honda’s partnership with GM to use their new Ultium modular electric architecture for not just the ZDX, but the Honda Prologue as well.
Honda’s decision to partner with GM isn’t an unusual one: back in the 1990s, the Acura SLX was a rebadged Isuzu Trooper, and in the early 2000s, the Saturn Vue shared a V6 engine with the Honda Odyssey. You might think the ZDX as a reskinned Prologue, but it’s more closely related to the Cadillac Lyriq, as the ZDX and Lyriq are built alongside each other in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The Prologue, on the other hand, is built alongside the Equinox and Blazer EVs in Ramos Arzipe, Mexico.
The ZDX has the wide stance characteristic of an Ultium vehicle, commanding a certain road presence especially with Double Apex Blue Pearl Paint that garnered a lot of looks on the road. It favours a more traditional three-box design as opposed to the coupe-SUV look of the original ZDX. The Type S trim adds humongous 22-inch machine finished wheels along with six-piston Brembo brake calipers that are needed to bring this 6000-pound EV to a halt.
Powering the ZDX Type S is an identical dual-motor setup to the Lyriq. A 102 kWh battery pack powers electric motors in the front and rear of the vehicle, making a combined 499 horsepower and 544 pound-feet of torque that is directly driven from the electric motors, as with all Ultium vehicles. Power is typical-EV-instant-torque, more so in the Type S compared to the base ZDX A-Spec trim. The zero-to-100 km/h run is rated at 4.9 seconds, which is slower than people expect from a vehicle with those power figures. Keep in mind that this EV does weigh 5,938 pounds at the end of the day, so its abilities are only as good as what the laws of physics dictate. Total electric range is officially rated at 489 kilometers on the base ZDX A-Spec, while our Type S tester is lower, at 447 km. On a DC fast-charger, Acura says the Type S can charge from 20 to 80 per cent in about 42 minutes. Our real-world experience with our tester proved to be even faster, at 38 minutes.
Honda passively states that they hope the average buyer won’t notice the ZDX and Prologue’s GM influence inside, but this interior space is familiar to anyone who has been around a recent GM product, with slight tweaks to the infotainment and some Honda/Acura interior design elements. For those used to Acura’s button fetish in other models, the ZDX is much more minimalist while retailing physical buttons and dials for climate and volume.
Ahead of the driver is an 11-inch configurable gauge cluster sitting in its own separate pod beside the 11.3-inch infotainment display. Both are easy to use, quick to respond, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Using the built-in Google Maps function proved to be a smooth yet somewhat disappointing experience, as the route map didn’t want to change course and recalculate if I deviated from the previously set route. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay was smooth to operate and is what most buyers will utilize for their infotainment needs, anyway.
Moreover on interior touch points, turn signal stalks feel typical GM plastic mush; sometimes it feels good to use and other times it feels like it is going to snap off the steering column. Other useability attributes carried over from GM include the slightly annoying hazard light placement in the headliner, and headlight switches being baked into the centre screen rather than on the steering column, as with most other Honda/Acura products. I harped on the Equinox EV for having an atrocious dashboard reflection due to the raked windshield and dashboard vents; the ZDX still projects some dashboard reflection, but it’s less noticeable this time around.
Aside from those nit-picks, overall fit-and-finish and material choice is great, with a nice blend of soft-touch rubber and hard plastics where they need to be. The aluminum trim scattered around this interior space is a nice touch, along with leather surfaces with contrasting red stitching to remind you that you are in the spicy version of the ZDX. The seats are comfortable with 16-way adjustable front seats with lumbar, thigh, and side-bolster adjustments to suit a myriad of body types. Massage isn’t available, which is disappointing considering our tester’s hefty price tag, but heated rear seats and dedicated rear climate controls also come standard on the Type S. Although Acura faithful have become familiar with the great-sounding ELS Studio 3D audio system in other Acura models, the 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio in the ZDX will still satisfy even the most picky of audiophiles, and is definitely one of the best-sound systems of any vehicle I’ve reviewed thus far.
Driving the ZDX Type S reveals very smooth and refined manners, as expected with the Ultium cars, made even more tranquil on our tester despite those monster 22-inch wheels. The Type S comes standard with adjustable air suspension and adaptive dampers, whereas the A-Spec trim and the Cadillac Lyriq only come with fixed-suspension and passive dampers. The air suspension also features a lift function that is handy for approaching the most steep of driveways. In Sport mode, the suspension hunkers down while limiting body roll and giving you firmer steering. I opted to keep the car in Normal mode, as most of my commute was through rough roads and construction zones, offering a nice compromise between ride comfort and handling.
As with many EVs, the ZDX Type S is heavy, and although the steering feel is almost non-existent, the quick steering ratio and suspension did a good job at making it feel smaller and lighter than it actually is. With the inherent low centre of gravity and 50/50 weight distribution from the skateboard electric architecture, the ZDX Type S felt planted and surefooted when pushing it on highway on-ramps and long sweepers. However, the ZDX doesn’t like being pushed too hard on tighter backroads, as you do reach the limits quickly with the physics that are in play. It’s s like telling Shaquille O’Neal to do a quick crossover manoeuvre on the basketball court.
If you’re not in the mode to drive the vehicle at all, the ZDX Type S comes equipped with Hands Free Cruise, which is a re-skinned version of GM’s Super Cruise system. Like Super Cruise, it allows for autonomous driving when all of the conditions and parameters are met. We’ve stated time and time again that it’s the best semi-autonomous driving system in the market demonstrating correct lane discipline, safe lane changes, and adjusting speed according to the flow of traffic without fuss and sudden driver intervention needed. That’s still the case here.
The price of admission to get into a ZDX isn’t cheap. The base A-Spec trim starts at $84,216—substantially more than a base Lyriq, which starts at $66,699. Our Type S tester comes in at $92,439 as-tested, which is a few hundred cheaper than our last, fully loaded Lyriq tester. You can argue there’s a slight value proposition here, considering the ZDX offers adjustable air suspension.
The 2025 Acura ZDX Type S is a great entry into the EV market alongside the Honda Prologue. It’s definitely a far cry from lesser performing EVs on the Ultium platform, offering face-ripping acceleration when you want to impress your passengers yet a serene driving experience when you want to relax and take it easy. Though there are some slightly annoying GM ergonomics and a high price tag for the base model, the ZDX overall is well executed and will sure to impress even those who are exclusively faithful to the Acura brand.
