Not many vehicles are able to define a new niche for their makers, and fewer still manage to expand the generally accepted list of vehicle genres. The all-new 2010 Acura ZDX manages to accomplish both feats thanks to an unusually appealing combination of crossover practicality, sport-sedan handling and coupe styling. 

An entirely fresh concept from Acura, the midsize ZDX appears to be poised to attract a new breed of buyers to showrooms. The ZDX breaks new ground by taking the same swooping, aggressive bodywork and rearward-sloping roofline typically associated with coupe designs and fusing it with the tall ride height and off-road stance of a sport utility vehicle. Led by Acura’s bold front clip that is reminiscent of the shields Roman centurions would carry into battle, the ZDX manages to evoke a similar, almost gladiator-like feeling that places it on another level when compared to vehicles of a similar size.

That warrior spirit is continued under the Acura’s hood where a 3.7-liter V6 engine lies nestled between the front fenders. Tuned to provide 300 hp and 270 lb/ft of torque, the ZDX is certainly no slouch when it comes to ripping up the pavement. Acceleration is aided and abetted by Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD). The adaptive torque control feature it employs has been designed with performance in mind, thanks to its ability to direct as much as 70 percent of total torque to the rear wheels when the gas pedal is pressed to the floor. SH-AWD also engages during hard cornering to increase traction to the outside wheels to maintain stability. Further handling enhancements are provided by an adaptive suspension system that gets stiffer as vehicle speed increases, helping to improve the connection between the driver and the road as felt through both the steering wheel and all four wheels. EPA mileage estimates for the crossover are a healthy 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

In addition to its sporting nature, the 2010 Acura ZDX offers drivers smooth shifts from a six-speed automatic gearbox that can also be manually controlled via steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters. A number of other electronic driving aides are present to step in and offer a helping hand out on the highway. The ZDX makes use of an interesting system dubbed Collision Mitigation Braking System^™ (CMBS), which actively scans the road ahead in search of potentially dangerous situations with an eye toward issuing warnings and preparing both the brakes and seatbelts for a possible impact. Adaptive Cruise Control keeps a safe distance between the ZDX and any vehicles in front of it, and a blind spot information system and a rearview camera system help to monitor the areas around the ZDX; the displays for these systems can easily be seen on the cockpit touchscreen. The rearview system even features three different viewpoints to offer as many useful angles as possible when backing up.

Inside, the ZDX continues Acura’s propensity toward easy-to-use controls that seamlessly integrate with the driving experience. Comfort is also a key characteristic of the coupe’s cabin appointments. A full wraparound leather layer on the dash and door panels complements heated and ventilated leather seats. A navigation system that provides AcuraLink real-time traffic and weather updates and a panoramic moonroof that stretches all the way to the rear of the vehicle add premium touches to the ZDX’s overall feel. Topping it all off are the 55 cubic feet of available cargo space accessed by folding down the rear seats, revealing a practical dimension not found in most of the sport sedans and coupes with which Acura competes. Under the sloping roof, rear headroom remains very competitive, and the ZDX’s cabin fits around its five occupants like a snug, protective glove. From the driver’s seat, the commanding view of the road suggests that the crossover would feel equally at home ferrying the family on a weekend road trip as it would carving up some quality back road curves.

There are no roadmaps when it comes to forging a new trail through the automobile industry. It is perhaps for this reason that so few car companies are willing to take risks with new vehicles, content instead to refine their existing offerings within established new models. The 2010 Acura ZDX represents a bold new place for this luxury automaker, a place that indicates the company doesn’t feel constrained by the weight of history when it comes to exploring fresh frontiers of automotive design.