This all-new premium crossover will boast a 1.5L four-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive, and come in three different trims
- Acura’s new ADX will serve as the compact crossover entry to the brand
- The model will come powered by a 1.5L turbocharged four, with standard AWD
- Sales are expected to start this spring, with prices in the mid-$40,000s
Under the hood is a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine which is similar in spirit to the mill found in the Integra, though it (predictably) is only offered with a continuously variable transmission in the ADX. The brand promises some fake-news ‘step shift’ simulated gears in some driving conditions, though. All-wheel-drive is standard in Canada, and can send up to half the torque to its rear wheels when needed.
All trims get a standard 10.2-inch digital gauge display plus a 9.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment duties. A physical volume knob is present (yes, we live in an era where that inclusion is notable) and Acura has also apparently integrated a small ledge on which to rest the edge of one’s hand whilst stabbing at the touchscreen with an outstretched finger. Wireless smartphone integration and charging are standard, though you’ll have to upgrade to the top rung if digital services like Google built-in are important.
Cargo area is listed at 690 litres (24.3 cubic feet) behind the rear seat, and 1,560 litres (55 cu ft) with those seats folded away. The former (and arguably more useful) metric is better than the X3, but the latter trails its German competitor by 140 litres, or roughly five cubic feet. We’ll reserve judgment until we see the ADX in person, because while some vehicles may have ample cargo capacity on paper, real-world shapes and sizes sometimes conspire to produce a less than useful space.
May we also please take a moment and encourage Acura to fully embrace a return to real names. Think what you will about the Integra, but the fact remains it is an entertaining car and one whose name is instantly recognizable. It’s not like the brand is lacking for strong monikers in its relatively short history — imagine if the top-dog MDX was called the “Legend,” RDX was the “Vigor,” and so forth.
The original impetus for moving to alphabet soup were marketers who, at the time, were terrified the buying public identified more with names like “Integra” and the like more than they did the actual Acura brand. I mean, so long as buyers are signing cheques to you, who cares? Take a page from the Lincoln playbook in terms of a naming convention, Acura — we promise you won’t regret it.
As for the newly introduced ADX, look for it on dealer lots early next calendar year with a price range starting in the mid-$40,000 bracket.
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