When my mom, Lynne, called me excitedly on a weekend morning, I hoped it was good news: “We just bought a new car,” she said. “Yay!” I knew that she followed our car reviews and car buying tips, but even I was a little surprised to find out she’d been paying such close attention.
Turns, out, reading and watching our stories helped her learn about the features she wanted in a new car and inspired her to look for new ones she hadn’t considered before.
And that new car she ended up driving home after her search? It took her a bit to figure it out, and of course, she made me wait to find out!
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
My Mom Loved her Honda SUV, but Missed Driving Something Nice
My mom loved her Honda CR-V for its reliability over the years, but she missed the elegance of her previous cars: the Lincoln LS and MKZ. I asked what ‘elegance’ meant to her, and the list began to grow. “I want it to be pretty like the cars you review, but also the best value for the price. Help me with some options,” she said. “What do you think?”
She had a list of requirements she wanted for her next new car:
- Leather, electronically adjustable seats, with heaters—and preferably seat memory and steering wheel adjustments
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, with a wireless phone charger
- A power liftgate
- Power sunroof for natural light
- Top-tier safety features—there are lots of beach tourists to look out for where she lives.
- A lower monthly payment than what she’s paying now
Because my mom loved her Honda, I recommended she read and explore more about the Acura SUV lineup. After browsing articles and adding different options to her list to test drive, she told me it would be a surprise, so I waited frantically to see what she picked.
Then, she told me she’d made a decision: the 2025 Acura ADX base model. She noted that the safety, tech, performance, and style that came standard, even in the base model, were the best way to save money while enjoying the finer things the little SUV has to offer. After all, her final price was $32,450 after taxes and fees. That’s under the MSRP of $35,000.
Read: Let’s Go Car Shopping: How to Buy a Car Online Using the Carmaker’s Configurator
The Acura ADX Met Almost All of Her Requirements
Daily activities influenced my mom’s decision on which features she needed, and since she’s downsizing with her husband, having one vehicle makes things a lot easier with Acura’s standard features. (And that sophisticated Urban Gray Pearl exterior color caught her attention!) She especially loved the surprising amount of cargo space—just enough to fit her yoga gear when she teaches classes on the beach.
When she got behind the wheel and test-drove the base model Acura ADX she noted that it met all of her requirements. She was especially won over by the base model’s standard safety features, like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. The only thing it lacked was the seat memory feature.
“We had similar features and comparable space in the CR-V, but I love that this gave me the style I wanted with a lower payment and upgraded tech, so it’s an overall better driving experience,” my mom told me.
Read: I Used Capital One Auto Navigator Car Loan App to Buy My Car
She Discovered that Little Adjustments Make a Big Difference
My mom is short, standing at 5’1″, and my dad is six feet tall. I taught my mom how to properly adjust her seat with the perfect distance from the steering wheel, since we’re both short and need to see, but also sit back for safety purposes. Once she had it down, she was over the moon.
“I may not have the driver memory, but I got the most important features and pricing down to where I am over the moon with my purchase,” she said. “I can’t say it enough, but it’s so pretty! And I love how fast it feels on the highway. Sometimes, you just need to do the research and time it right to get the deal you need.” Our site, she said, was an incredibly valuable resource for her, with reviews and tips on how to buy a car with confidence.
My dad is always on the move, and he was especially impressed that the wireless Apple CarPlay helped him navigate better than ever. With an ebony and gloss black trim inside, it is easy to clean out the sand from the beach, which appeals to his need for everything to be clean and organized. It’s a balance of wants and needs for both of them, and this 2025 Acura ADX checked the important boxes.
Read: Yes, You Can Buy A Car At Costco, And Here’s How to Get the Best Deal
Car Buying Tips Armed My Mom with Negotiating Power
Before my mom told me she was going car shopping at the dealership, I recited some of our best car buying tips: it’s December, so dealerships will want to move the 2025 models quickly to make space for new 2026 models. Acura offers a lot even at the base, so I told her she could easily negotiate a deal for one. She read a few of our buyer’s guides and went in with confidence she knew what she wanted.
Like a lot of people, my mom ended up with a different car than she initially thought she’d buy — and that’s part of the fun—discovering what you need and want, what’s available and then, getting it for less than advertised. That last part might, well, it be the best.
