Big Car or Crossover, the Acura ZDX is a Nice Piece of Work

How many entrants does it take to create a new category of vehicles?


Hard to say, but one might sense that a category is emerging with the recent introduction of the 2010 Acura ZDX.


This category is part crossover, part sedan, which is kind of weird because crossovers are part SUV, part sedan, too.


But when you look at the ZDX, especially from a distance, it really looks like a car, and actually more like a coupe than a sedan. 


Come closer, though, and you'll see this machine is bigger and taller than a sedan or coupe.


The ZDX shares an Acura platform with the popular MDX SUV (or crossover).


But it also looks a bit like a recent product from its sister brand, the Honda Accord Crosstour. 


Also sharing this big, bulky but sporty, part car, part crossover look is the BMW X5.


The ZDX, which seats five, is powered by a 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 engine that is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. 


Fuel economy is pegged at 16 mpg city, 23 highway by the EPA. Acura says ZDX's towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.


During a weeklong test drive, the ZDX got around 19 mpg in combined city and highway driving. 


The ZDX has a slew of safety features, such as side curtain airbags, electronic stability system and active front head restraints.
As an option, you can include adaptive cruise control, which automatically maintains a space cushion with the car in front of you. Also, a collision mitigation braking system alerts the driver when a collision is looming and puts on the brakes.


Since this is an Acura, you can bet there are some cool convenience and style features too.


For instance, you can get a tech package that features a navigation system that has real time traffic updates and weather data, or another package gives LED ambient lighting and ventilated front seats.


The ZDX has a beautiful panoramic glass sunroof, a power liftgate an sits on 19-inch aluminum wheels.

For your interior comfort and enjoyment, behold the standard dual-zone climate control, six-CD stereo and XM Satellite Radio.


But not only functional, the dashboard of the ZDX is attractively laid out, with modern looking controls that aren't overwhelming.


Acura says the ZDX offers 55.8 cubic feet of cargo volume.

During the weeklong test drive, plenty of passers-by took a few extra seconds to peek at the ZDX, and with good reason. It's unusual not just because of its atypical car/crossover design, but it also has a nice flair of elegance.


Its sleekness is beautifully accompanied by its muscularity.


The ZDX starts at around $46,000 and ranges close to $50,000.


If you want to stand out from the crowd, check out the ZDX. It might be beginning to define its own category of vehicle.