Vehicle: 2010 Acura ZDX with Tech Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$61485

Performance: Many would have thought Acura ZDX is basically the same car as Honda Accord Crosstour at first glance, they are completely different kinds of beasts under the skin. That’s despite both share simiar amount of criticisms, which we will tell you later.

Unlike the Crosstour, ZDX’s powerhouse is Acura’s 3.7 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with i-VTEC technology. Despite the fact the ZDX weighting in at 2 tones, its 300 horses and 270 lb/ft of torque have moved its hefty curb weight with ease. Not one would ever doubt Honda’s engineering prowess on producing some wonderful powertrains, this MDX-derived 3.7 liter is certainly one of them. Its not only sound sweetly, its level of refinement and flexability would put many of those German 6s to shame with ease. While the low range is eager given its 270 lb/ft of torque arrives at 4500rpm, its the mid and upper ranges which are most impressive when pushed. They are eager and willing to rev as with all Honda powertrains. There are no shortage of power when pushed this beast at all the rev range. 6-speed manumatic with paddle shifters are the only gearbox. The paddle shifters are allowed to drop a couple of cones even on drive, which is far better than push it into the manumatic mode before activating it. That would allow any enthuisastic driver to drop a few gears before entering a corner. The gear ratios for all the gears are perfectly matched. The lower 1st and 2nd gears are low enough for peppy acceleration while 3rd and 4th will always keep the engine in full boil, leaving 5th and 6th as comfortable highway cruising modes.

Handling: Acura’s crossovers have always been known as some of the sportiest I have ever driven, ZDX is among one of them. Imagine an MDX given a sharper chassis with quicker steering ratio and a firmer ride, ZDX is what all those combined. The quicker steering ratio have given ZDX a laser-sharp steering response and feedback, not to mention wonderful precision withou feeling twitches. The sharper chassis and sportier suspension, along with Acura’s famed Super Handling AWD system work in perfect harmony. The sharp handling created by SH-AWD is something really seperates from its main arch-rival, BMW X6′s X-Drive and lesser silbing, Accord Crosstour’s reactive RealTime 4WD. While the suspension is firm, its comfotably compliant without upsetting the ride quality. When pushed through the corners, ZDX handles confidently with only some understeer and body rolls given its center-of-gravity.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, it has managed to make ZDX stops confidently given its gross weight. The stopping distance is commandable while pedal feels much better than average. Even with a couple of hard stops, the brake won’t appear to have any fades. Best of all, ABS doesn’t kick-in at the wrong time at the wrong place.

Interior: Behind the wheel of the MDX is everything one expects from an Acura. All the high-grade use of plastic and leather materials with excellent ergonomics. That’s despite of its button-happy center console which have no less than 50 buttons, sans those on the multi-function steering wheel.

With the 40/60 split fold-down rear seats fold down, there are 55.8 cubin feet of cargo space. The attention-to-details are excellent, including under floor storage and hinges to hang shopping bags. That’s until you get to the D-pillars which cut off most of those cargo space. The sloppy D-pillars and rear window make ZDX needs its back-up camera and parking sensors desperately. Otherwise, the rear sightlines are simply poor at best. Another serious issue with ZDX’s loading is the very high liftover.

Same goes for the rear headroom, its at premium due to its sloppy D-pillars cutting into the interior space. Anyone over 6 feet tall needs to think twice before getting into the back of ZDX.

Conclusion: ZDX, just like its intended competiton, X6, is the question that no one has asked. The MDX offers more interior space, with 2 extra seats. Both MDX and ZDX offer the same sweet powertrain and dynamic package. Subjectively speaking, MDX looks far better han ZDX when it comes to proportions. Have we had the same story before? That was last year when BMW launched the X6 vs the more practical X5.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Acura ZDX
=====================================
Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 4/5