Acura Takes Wraps Off 2010 ZDX At New York Auto Show

By Colin Mathews

Colin Mathews

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One part politico, two parts mechanic, and three parts rabid diesel enthusiast, Colin Mathews started his career as a freelance writer in Atlanta in... More

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2 54,905 views Apr 8, 2009

2011 Acura ZDX

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Well, after half a dozen or so teases, we just saw the real-deal Acura ZDX crossover at the New York Auto Show. Well, almost real-deal; they did admit that the vehicle you see here is actually the concept. Lights, lower fascia, and taillights are likely to be different for the production model.

2011 Acura ZDX

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Taking a page out of BMW's book, they claim it's "an entirely new category of vehicle." Could've fooled us, though it does appear to sit lower to the ground than BMW's X6 Sports Activity Coupe.

2011 Acura ZDX

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Primary designer Michelle Christiansen, just 25 years old, did an admirable job, producing an interesting, elegant vehicle. I found the rear and rear 3/4 views the most attractive, was pleased to note the Acura beak has been reduced, though I wished both front and rear overhangs were shorter.

2011 Acura ZDX

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The dash appeared to be a near facsimile of the TL, not a bad thing at all. Subtle touches like a two-tone steering wheel with perhaps Alcantara inserts were elegant and typically subtle for the brand.

2011 Acura ZDX

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They were mum on the mechanicals apart from saying it'll be a V-6 (we'd bet on the 3.7-liter from the TL) and that it will have Acura's SH-AWD (super-handling all-wheel drive) that reduces understeer when the driver is accelerating. That means a front-wheel drive architecture, meaning this vehicle most likely carries more of its weight over the front axle than the rear.

2011 Acura ZDX

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A quick peek in the rear compartment revealed adequate leg room but head room perhaps somewhat tight for taller individuals. But if, as an Acura spokesman claimed, the ZDX is designed for "affluent empty-nesters," then the rear seats likely won't get tons of use anyway.

2011 Acura ZDX

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The ZDX is slated for delivery to Acura dealers this fall.