For context, I should explain that my in-laws are like most older folks when it comes to EVs. They’re riddled with range and public charging anxiety and were scared an EV would be “too different” from gas-powered cars. My father-in-law was concerned about not hearing an engine, too.
All of that went away when they visited while I was test driving the 2024 Acura ZDX Type S, priced from about $75,000 before federal tax incentives, which it qualifies for thanks to Acura’s collaboration with General Motors.
After they experienced the Acura ZDX, both left with a renewed appreciation for the technology, comfort and range the all-electric ZDX had to offer. And the ZDX got the ultimate compliment from my mother-in-law who said that it was the most comfortable car she’d ever sat in.
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. No AI was used.
They Didn’t Believe the Acura ZDX was an EV at First
My in-laws are used to hybrids; they own a Camry and a RAV4 hybrid. So, when I backed out of the driveway with my father-in-law as a passenger, he assumed it was a hybrid. As we pulled away, he asked me at what speed the engine comes on, and when I said, “Oh no, this is all-electric,” and his eyes widened.
“This isn’t a hybrid? Weird – it doesn’t look like an EV,” he said. He liked that it looked like a “normal” car, and not “too futuristic” like most EVs do. By the time they arrived, I’d had the Acura ZDX for a few days and the range had dropped from 98% to just 86%, and that was after a visit to the museum with my toddler girls, several trips to their favorite park, a handful of grocery hauls, and bringing my husband coffee.
At full charge, the Acura ZDX Type S showed 309 miles of range – which is better than the EPA estimate of 278. Those numbers are impressive for a dual-motor all-wheel drive car. The man who delivered it said he drove all 174 miles from Portland and arrived with 90 miles to go before it needed charging. That was with the A/C running, music blasting, and traveling at freeway speeds up and down a mountain pass.
According to my Mother-in-Law, a Launch Feels Like a Rollercoaster
Of course, I couldn’t have the Acura ZDX Type S for a week without putting all 499 horses to work at least once. On the way home from our visit to Sisters Rock State Park, I took the opportunity to exercise those ponies on an empty road straight from a stop to see how both parents would react.
My father-in-law giggled maniacly as he was pushed into his seat, and said, “Yup, it’s pretty darn fast.” My mother-in-law said it reminded her of the Incredicoaster at Disneyland, and therefore, it scared her. My oldest daughter got a taste for speed and since driving the Type S she routinely asks me to drive “fasser.”
The one-pedal braking function was a bit to get used to, but once I got a handle on it, I felt guilty that I never got to employ the gargantuan bright yellow six-pot Brembo brakes under the 21-inch wheels. I did, however, appreciate how much range I got back from the regenerative braking.
Storage Space in the Acura ZDX is Incredible – For Families and Otherwise
Without a transmission tunnel under the cabin floor, and with the car’s batteries tucked underneath, there was an insane amount of foot space in the foot wells, additional storage in the front of the car, and a massive trunk. If you needed it, both the dual and single second-row seats could be folded flat for additional space. My dual-stroller fit just fine, with ample space for groceries, my mother-in-law’s purchases, and my daughter’s diaper bag.
Up front, what normally would be a transmission tunnel was turned into a two-tier storage unit. The upper part was for the cup holders, wireless phone charger, and the center console storage box.
In the middle was a sort of shelf that would be perfect for a purse, water bottle, maps, snacks, or something that was charging from one of the many USB ports up top.
The glovebox was also an abyss – it was quite possibly the largest glovebox I’d ever seen. There’s so much space in the Acura ZDX, I would be more impressed if someone found a way to use it all.
Read: The Redesigned 2024 Acura TLX May Just Be the Perfect Hot Mom Car
The Technology is Both Seamless and Intuitive
Because the Type S had wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, the single minute it took for me to connect my phone and activate it made every drive personalized and stress-free. The best part was vehicle settings were easily accessible from the very left side of the screen. So, I could use Google Maps and adjust the rear climate settings without closing Android Auto.
The digital driver display was very easy to interpret, just as easy to customize, and pleasant to look at. The ZDX, like many modern cars, has a HUD that works with the Acura’s OS to give directions, read and relay road signs, and display the current speed.
I’m not a fan of HUDs as I find them distracting, and it was very easy to turn off. For those who do appreciate HUDs, the display is fully customizable, down to the height, width, brightness, and information shown.
Interestingly, this was the first car I’d ever driven where the child safety locks and window locks were digitally activated or deactivated (though it’s still manually doable, too). I went to vehicle settings, and both settings were on the first page.
Read More: The 2024 Honda Prologue is the Golden Retriever of SUVs
The Acura ZDX was Pleasantly Easy (and Quick) to Charge
When I took the girls to the High Desert Museum, I charged the ZDX at a complementary Level 2 Blink charger. But before it was returned to the fleet company, I took it to an Electrify America station at my Walmart. It was at 68% when I arrived, and it charged to 100% in about 45 minutes.
Within that time frame, I’d finished my shopping, loaded the Acura, and paid the $21 for the charge before I headed home. If I owned my home, I’d pay to have a charger installed in the garage to avoid fighting over chargers like some have out here and to take advantage of much lower charge rates. But it made me realize the ZDX would be fairly easy to live with if I had to rely on public charging.
The Acura ZDX Type S is also compatible with Tesla’s Supercharging stations. There wasn’t one close by to me, but I could see that coming in handy for those in bigger cities. Especially since there are typically more chargers available.
This Athlete Could Easily Be a Family Car
When I drove my toddlers around, installing their seats was really easy. The lower anchors were underneath a handy plastic cap, and the anchor was visible and easy to use. The top tether was easy to secure since it was on the back of the chair.
Plenty of space in the footwell meant I didn’t have to use the trunk for their diaper bag or toys, leaving the trunk available for their stroller or other items. The passenger seat was so far from my oldest’s legs, she couldn’t kick it – making that the one thing she didn’t like about the “blue cah.”
It also had sunshades I could put up for them, which was a blessing for my oldest since she venomously dislikes sitting in the sun.
The Type S Pedigree Comes With a Luxury Price
As tested, the MSRP for the Acura ZDX Type S was $74,850, and because its built in partnership with General Motors, it qualifies for federal tax incentives and may qualify for local rebates, too. Still, it is pricey. Considering the speed, comfort, quick charging (which can be adjusted too, to help maintain the battery), and ease of use, it may be worth splurging. Especially since the Acura ZDX checked all of the luxury boxes.
The Type S I tested came with the optional Bang & Olufsen sound system, which helped distract my father-in-law from realizing he couldn’t hear an engine. The subwoofer was my favorite part of the car when my husband was home with our daughters.
While the Type S is filled with beauty, brawn, and brains, it truly is a luxury car and appeals more to those in that market. Like my in-laws, who felt like anyone buying this car would certainly be getting what they paid for.
