The 2025 Acura ADX Proves ‘Good Enough’ Can Work: First Drive Review

Asking the improper query will all the time lead you to the improper reply. So in the event you ask me which subcompact luxurious crossover to purchase, I’d say you’re already off the mark. Whether or not you have a look at the underwhelming Mercedes-Benz GLA, the middling BMW X1, or the forgettable Audi Q3, it appears as if nobody can get it proper. Most of those firms don’t do low-cost SUVs properly.

Honda, although, does do low-cost SUVs properly, which suggests Acura’s entry into the section deserves a re-examination. The Acura ADX relies on the identical bones because the Civic, one of the best reasonably priced automobile in America for my cash. Acura already proved the Civic formulation may translate to the premium sector with the charming Integra, so in a section that’s solely produced losers to this point, can the ADX break the mildew?

Picture by: Mack Hogan / Motor1

There’s a cause why the subcompact luxurious mission temporary is so exhausting to fulfill. The tidy wheelbases of subcompact crossovers make them experience worse than many mainstream compact SUVs, and their cheaper price factors imply sacrificing refinement. There’s no cause BMW can promote you a nicer automobile for $40,000 than Toyota can; The corporate has worse economies of scale, and many of the luxurious trimmings are a direct results of its increased worth level.

Acura has a number of methods up its sleeve, although. The ADX advantages from Honda’s packaging wizardry. Its 37.7 inches of rear legroom and 24.4 cubic ft of storage behind the seats are on the excessive aspect of the category, and the ADX advantages from loads of storage cubbies all through the cabin to make real-world residing simpler. Acura notes that it has eight cupholders able to accommodating your 32-ounce water bottle. Plus, with the seats folded, the ADX has much more cargo house than most opponents—55.1 cubic ft.

Then there’s the worth: $36,350 to begin, with the vary topping out at round $45,350 for an all-wheel drive A-Spec with the Advance Package deal. That solves the opposite key difficulty on this section: Most of the German choices require you to spend round $50,000 for a fairly optioned mannequin. Even Acura’s nicest trim prices lower than that.

Picture by: Mack Hogan / Motor1

Professionals: Stable Worth, Good Trip, Nice Stereo

It’s not all excellent news, although. Honda’s affect means the ADX comes solely with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, the identical unit within the Civic, HR-V and Integra. It’s not a easy engine, and it really works finest with a guide transmission—which you’ll be able to’t get within the ADX. The ADX is paired solely to the repeatedly variable transmission.

In Sport mode, the CVT tends to maintain the mill gnashing alongside at a buzzier frequency. There’s a lot further noise dampening within the cabin that you simply don’t hear it a lot, fortunately, however since Acura’s complete pitch is “Precision Crafted Efficiency,” it nonetheless feels too unrefined. The two.0-liter turbo in any bottom-shelf BMW blows this factor away, by comparability.

Picture by: Mack Hogan / Motor1

Picture by: Mack Hogan / Motor1

Picture by: Mack Hogan / Motor1

Nonetheless, with 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque out there at 1,700 RPM, the ADX has sufficient low-end punch. Individuals in all probability gained’t select the ADX for its efficiency—or lack thereof—however it’s completely enough. Left to its default setting, the CVT and turbo mix for a barely dawdling expertise. Sport sharpens the engine’s response and makes it really feel much more related, nevertheless it’ll maintain 3,000 RPM simply buzzing alongside, so count on an enormous effectivity hit.

Over the check, my common mpg hovered within the low-20s. Drive like an Environmental Safety Company worker and the all-wheel-drive ADX will present 25 mpg round city and 30 mpg on the freeway. The opposite possibility is front-wheel-drive, good for 1 extra mpg throughout the board. Acura may have improved each energy and effectivity by becoming the ADX with the identical phenomenal hybrid powertrain supplied within the Accord, Civic, and CR-V. Sadly, the model opted to “skip” its hybrid period in favor of pure EVs.

Picture by: Mack Hogan / Motor1

Cons: Doesn’t Really feel Like A Luxurious Automotive, Middling Powertrain, Awkward Styling

In case you are on the lookout for a efficiency product, cease studying right here. None of those subcompacts provide an attractive drive; the BMW is the clear chief. But, in order for you one thing comfortable that gained’t flail in a nook, the ADX handles properly sufficient.

The ADX strikes a very good stability between consolation and dealing with, with wonderful physique management. The suspension is mounted however tuned properly—I’ll take it over an endlessly configurable adaptive system any day. Acura additionally claims the all-wheel-drive system will ship greater than 50 p.c of torque to the rear wheels, and you’ll really feel it shuffle energy backwards at occasions. However primarily based on the torque distribution graphics, the ADX continues to be closely front-biased.

On the freeway, the ADX is quiet and cozy. Sadly, Acura’s driver help suite leaves loads to be desired. The ADX will get factors for normal radar cruise management and lane preserving, however the firm switched from a stereoscopic (twin) digital camera setup to a single-camera unit. This one-sensor technique for the frontal space is way much less easy and confidence-inspiring than most superior driver help programs supplied by luxurious carmakers, and even many mainstream ones.

Picture by: Mack Hogan / Motor1

Picture by: Mack Hogan / Motor1

The inside, too, gained’t blow you away on first impression. The seats are pretty and out there in a cool white hue with blue accents. Past that, the ADX can’t cover its Civic underpinnings. Even with a typical 9.0-inch touchscreen, the unit seems to be dinky. Most buttons are simply uninteresting grey plastic, and the nicer ones are the knurled rotating knobs much like what’s within the Civic.

Look past the surfaces, although, and there’s extra to like. The 15-speaker Bang & Olufssen sound system on the top-end fashions is superior. So is the inclusion of Google Maps within the automobile’s manufacturing unit navigation system (Google Maps is included for 3 years, after which you will have an information plan to make use of the automobile’s inner maps). Wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto come commonplace.

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Mack Hogan / Motor1

Whereas it might not be the flashiest automobile in its section, the ADX is definitely a strong worth play, which appears to be Acura’s important objective. At $45,350 for a loaded instance, the ADX is $4,000 dearer than the top-flight Honda CR-V Hybrid. The CR-V has extra space, comparable tech, a greater powertrain, and higher gasoline mileage, nevertheless it doesn’t have the identical status.

Alternatively, you could possibly get a less expensive model of the ADX, however you then’d be shedding out on any actual luxurious pretensions. In case you actually don’t want or need the house of a CR-V, one of the best HR-V you should purchase is $32,395. It might not be a real luxurious automobile, however I’d argue no subcompact crossover actually is.

This isn’t an Acura downside, although. Each automobile on this section suffers from the identical destiny. In case you really need an Audi, you’re higher off with a Q5. In case you want a BMW, go for an X3. However in the event you’re dead-set on a premium subcompact crossover, the Acura ADX might be your finest guess. Simply don’t go into it anticipating a real luxurious SUV expertise for below $45,000. You’re not going to seek out it right here.