Acura teases new subcompact ADX as entry-level SUV

Posted by Talbot Payne on October 11, 2024

Acura announced Wednesday it will bring to market an entry-level SUV called the ADX.

While Acura’s current entry-level compact, the RDX, has been well-received, Honda’s luxury brand has not had an answer for subcompact hotties like the BMW X1/X2, Audi Q3, Lexus UX, Volvo XC40 and Buick Envista. The latter has been selling like hotcakes this year with a sub-$30k starting price.

The 2025 Acura ADX subcompact SUV will feature signature “heartbeat” taillight LEDs.
Acura, Acura

Acura has scored with the reintroduction of its iconic, sporty, compact Integra sedan — based on the popular, athletic Honda Civic — and the ADX will be positioned alongside it, just as Honda packages the Civic and its entry-level HR-V SUV.

Notably, Acura says the ADX will be powered by turbocharged gas engine. The utilitarian HR-V has been knocked for its meek 1.8-liter, 158-horsepower, normally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine, which doesn’t seem a good fit for Acura’s sportier brand vibe. Acura, after all, races at the pointy end of IMSA sportscar series’ hypercar class. Expect the ADX to share the peppy 1.5-liter turbo-4 found in Civic’s Si performance model. That also suggests the ADX will — like Integra — be based on the Civic’s chassis rather than the HR-V’s bones.

Acura said in its press release that “all Acura vehicles sold in America are made in the U.S.,” further hinting at its Civic DNA. The Civic is assembled in Indiana, while the HR-V is made in Mexico.

The 2025 Acura ADX subcompact SUV will option a panoramic roof.
Acura, Acura

“The all-new Acura ADX is another exciting model positioned at the gateway of our lineup, attracting a new generation of buyers to the Acura brand,” said Mike Langel, assistant vice president for Acura national sales. “When our new Acura ADX arrives in dealer showrooms, it will strengthen an exceptional lineup of premium SUVs that already includes the popular RDX, best-selling MDX and all-electric ZDX.”

The ADX is not electric, as Acura has chosen to debut its first EV, the two-row, $60k 2024 ZDX, as its most expensive model — positioned above the brand’s three-row, V6-powered MDX SUV. Honda has electrified its lineup with hybrid versions of the Civic, Accord sedan and CR-V SUV, so a hybrid model could be in the offing. No word yet either on whether the ADX will offer a performance-focused Type S model as Acura does with its Integra, TLX and MDX models.

Acura only teased feature photos of the ADX, but expect similar, sharp-edged styling like its Integra and RDX siblings — complete with signature Diamond Pentagon grille, Jewel Eye headlights and “heartbeat” LED taillights. Acura says it will offer a feature-rich interior, including available goodies like a panoramic moonroof, ventilated front seats and Bang & Olufsen audio.

The 2025 Acura ADX subcompact SUV will option Bang & Olufsen audio.
Acura, Acura

True to the SUV class, the ADX should come with all-wheel-drive option like the HR-V — unlike the Integra, which comes only with front-wheel-drive propulsion. Acura is proud of its sophisticated torque-vectoring, so-called SH-AWD (Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive) system on the RDX, but no word yet on whether the cheaper ADX will share it.

ADX will make its North American debut later this year.

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne.

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