Arrival: 2010 Acura ZDX
Sports Car SUV with Space-Race Styling
The 2010 Acura ZDX is in an elite subcategory of the SUV world. How many have basically abandoned off-road ability and instead shifted complete focus to on-road high performance? Two: the BMW X6 and the ZDX. How many have four-door sport coupe/SUV styling? The same two. It's the same combination of futuristic styling and impressive performance that makes this vehicle so intriguing.
0:00 / 0:00
AtMotor Trend's 2010 Sport/Utility of the Year competition, the ZDX was hands-down the vehicle that generated most comments on styling. One tester said, "I'll admit it: I was taken aback -- no, shocked -- by my first sight of the ZDX in the metal. This thing is out there -- to my eye, way edgier and more futuristic-looking than the X6. But the more I looked, the more I found the ZDX...interesting. Even...stunning." Another: "Calling the ZDX distinctive is an understatement. It looks otherworldly." This doesn't even take into account the praise for the leather-wrapped cabin, excellent handling, and impressive straight-line performance. How could wenotget one to try out for a year?
We recently got the keys to our long-term 2010 Acura ZDX. While there are three models available, we opted for the topline ZDX with Advance Package. This model comes with Super-Handling AWD, the 300-horse, 3.7-liter V-6, and six-speed automatic with paddle shifters found in the rest of the line, but adds satellite radio, 10-speaker surround-sound audio with hard drive, auxiliary jack and USB interface, 10-way power-adjustable heated driver sport seat (eight-way for the front passenger), panoramic glass roof, power tailgate, and 19-inch wheels. Further, the Advance tacks on an Integrated Dynamic System, Collision Mitigation Braking, blind-spot information system, ventilated front seats, and adaptive cruise control. All in, our long-term ZDX cost $56,905.
The test crew has already put our long-term tester through its paces at the track, where it hit 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and its lateral grip was an impressive 0.83 g. It stopped from 60 mph in 129 feet. Many of our editors have also put the ZDX through its paces, and none has been left unimpressed. A few, though, have noted some shortcomings-namely, that the back seat is snug and that entrance and egress are tricky (it's easy to hit your head because of the sloping roofline). But this is not necessarily a vehicle for people with big families, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem; plus, the gorgeous interior, adjustable suspension, and excellent performance more than make up for it. We'll let you know how the ZDX fares over the next year.
Like many of my coworkers, my love for cars was cemented at a young age, thanks in part to Hot Wheels, car magazines, and every car poster I could afford when the book fair set up shop in my elementary school library. While most kids went straight for Where’s Waldo? and Goosebumps, I was torn between the poster of the Lamborghini Countach and the ’32 Ford hot rod with airbrushed flames on the cowling. In high school, I worked at Bergstrom's Antique Autos, a historic garage in Port Townsend, Washington. Surrounded by nearly a century of automotive history, I immersed myself in cleaning, sorting, and selling car parts and memorabilia. I also spent countless hours flipping through vintage car magazines and can comfortably say that I've looked through every Motor Trend, Car & Driver, Hot Rod, and Sports Car Graphic up until the early 1980s. Around the same time, I picked up photography—naturally, with cars as my main subject. Despite my high school photography teacher's advice to branch out, I stuck to my passion and attended every car show I could find. This led me to the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, where I earned a bachelor’s degree with a focus on automotive photography. I began my career at Motor Trend as a photography intern. After freelancing for a few years, I joined the Motor Trend team full-time in late 2010. My passion for cars and photography continues to fuel my work, and I hope it shines through in every shot.
Read More
