How fast is the Acura ZDX?

Acura didn’t provide 0-to-60-mph acceleration times, saying only that the Type S reaches that speed in “less than 5.0 seconds,” and that it’s the quickest SUV Acura has ever sold. 

Every ZDX uses a 102-kwh battery pack, with a choice of three powertrains. The Acura ZDX A-Spec has a single, 358-horsepower motor on the rear axle as standard, quoted at 324 lb-ft of torque. Dual-motor all-wheel drive is optional on the A-Spec, rated at 490 hp and 437 lb-ft. The RWD version is EPA-rated at 313 miles; AWD brings that down to 304 miles. It rides on a multi-link suspension, and rolls on 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The weight distribution is near 50/50.

The performance-oriented ZDX Type S comes standard with all-wheel drive and an output of 499 hp and 544 lb-ft though the estimated range drops to 278 miles. Performance upgrades for the Type S include Brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers and 15.6-inch rotors up front, plus an adjustable air suspension, adaptive dampers, and 22-inch wheels.

In a few hours of driving in and around Santa Barbara, our ZDX Type S test car offered sprightly performance and a comfortable ride in its Normal suspension setting. The Sport setting produced some more power, with lighter, quicker steering, at the cost of a slightly harsher ride. But the ZDX is hardly an Integra; this is a 3-ton electric luxury SUV, and it drives like one.

Despite the size, the ZDX can feel almost car-like behind the wheel—at least until you have to park it in a tight space. The battery under the cabin keeps the weight low, and the long wheelbase smoothes out road imperfections, meaning it’s smooth, quiet, and comfortable in its normal mode. The ZDX Type S we tested came with standard adaptive air suspension, while the lower-line A-Spec models don’t.