In consistency with most prominent automakers today, Honda seems to be finally willing to cave into the EV revolution. While the Japanese company has spent considerable time exploring the depths of the hydrogen industry instead, along with Toyota, it has now begun to show commitment to a full-electrification process. “I’ve been in the engine development business for more than 30 years, so personally it’s a little threatening. But I have to separate my own feelings from what is best for the business.” said Honda’s Chief Executive, Toshihiro Mobe, when addressing the company’s transition towards electric vehicles. Honda has notably shared its goals to have 100% electric sales by 2040, and is taking key measures to establish an EV Hub in Ohio. Honda has revealed that it would invest $700 million to reconfigure its existing auto and powertrain plants to accommodate such plans. The Ohio-based EV Hub will allow the company to anchor itself as a full-on EV manufacturer in North America.
In the meantime, the Asian carmaker will be introducing American customers to its first-ever EV product from its luxury brand, Acura. Coming to the U.S. this year is the new, electrified SUV from the high-end sub-brand known as the Acura ZDX EV. The car is inspired by its ICE predecessor of the same name, and co-developed with General Motors. With an estimated starting price of $60,000, we can expect the Acura ZDX EV to compete directly with other high-end SUVs such as the Cadillac Lyriq and the upcoming 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 7
The Acura ZDX EV Is Inspired From The Precision EV Concept
Three-quarter shot of the Acura Precision EV Concept
The Acura ZDX EV is a car that marches in the footsteps of its predecessors, much like the Mercedes Vision One Eleven Concept, which was recently revealed. The electric ZDX borrows its modern aesthetic traits from the Precision EV Concept, which served to introduce Honda’s new design doctrine. The “Diamond Pentagon” grille might therefore make a comeback, along with the “Particle Glitch” theme which animates it with scattered LED lights. Features from the fuel-powered ZDX will also be at the rendezvous. The prototype shots suggest a rather toned-down, sober look, enhanced by the swooping creases, chiseled forms, and hunkered stance of the Precision Concept.
The interior of the 2024 Acura ZDX will introduce consumers to a new infotainment system that will be the first in Acura’s history to have Google built-in. The cabin technology will also include:
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto compatibility
- Google Assistant
- Wireless phone charging
- Optimized Google Maps to guide the driver around charging stations and allow for efficient battery usage.
In terms of looks, the cockpit of the electrified Acura ZDX will most likely have hints of the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV. As is customary with modern EVs, such as the upcoming Volvo EX30, the electric Acura ZDX should also include an eco-friendly cabin. We can thus expect some refurbished materials and sustainable textiles, topped by an overall premium vibe that matches Acura’s high-end appeal.
It Will Likely Share Specs With The Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac Lyriq Rear-Wheel Drive Specs
|
Electric Motor |
Single Drive Motor |
|
Power Output |
340 horsepower/ 325 pound-feet of torque |
|
Acceleration (0-60mph) |
5.7 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
118 mph |
|
Range |
314 miles EPA |
The Acura ZDX EV will likely follow the typical line-up method of the brand, with a total of five variants to choose from. The panoply should thus look something like this:
- Acura ZDX Base: $60,000
- Technology: $63,000
- A-Spec: $66,000
- Advance: $69,000
- Type S: $75,000
The Acura ZDX EV will be powered by General Motors’ new BEV3 platform, also known as Ultium. The skateboard-like Ultium technology can notably be found on the Chevy Equinox EV and the Chevy Blazer EV. Matter of fact, GM recently took the initiative to discontinue the budget-friendly Bolt EV to prioritize the Ultium platform. By adapting GM’s latest battery technology, Honda will spare itself the time-consuming process of making its own platform. This shortcut will thus greatly speed up the manufacturing process, and help Acura infiltrate the North American EV scene at a faster pace.
Based on the specs boasted by the Cadillac Lyriq and the Chevy Blazer EV – which are powered by the same platform – we can expect the ZDX to offer a range of 340 to 500 horsepower across the rear and all-wheel drive options. The top-of-the-line Type S should offer the best performance, with a dazzling 0-60 mph acceleration time. It is highly likely that the battery packs will range from 80 kWh to 100kWh, while the range could possibly exceed 300 miles, which puts the Acura ZDX at the same level as the Chevy Blazer EV and the Hyundai Ioniq 7, but considerably behind the Fisker Ocean and Tesla Model Y Performance.
The Acura ZDX EV Will Be Sold Online
The 2024 model of the Acura ZDX EV is expected to be released after the second half of 2023, probably during the fall. In the meantime, consumers can place their orders on the internet. Acura is clearly borrowing a page from Tesla’s book by making the ZDX its first vehicle to be sold exclusively online. Dealerships will remain part of the equation, however, according to Honda’s Senior VP Mamadou Diallo, who clarified: “What we see is providing clients [and] consumers the convenience of transacting where they wish to transact,”.
Dealerships have grown to be disliked in the United States, as many accuse them of making an afterthought of the consumer’s needs. Honda seems to be taking a moderate approach on the matter, according to M.Diallo, who further added: “Whether that process starts in your living room, and then continue at the dealership, or starts at the dealership where somebody wants to touch and feel a car on the showroom floor, you will still have to input that information,”.
Honda’s CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, has also hinted at the prospect of investing in a charging network. «The charging infrastructure is not at a place that it needs to be for our customers,” added Mibe. It is also worth noting that Honda has been developing its own solid-state batteries in-house. It will therefore be interesting to see what kind of range and performance the Acura ZDX will provide when (or if) it eventually incorporates SSBs into its platform in the years to come.
