Rank
What's New for 2025?
Based on the Honda HR-V, the new Acura ZDX features the Integra's 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine as standard, so we know it won't share the HR-V's power deficiency. Its interior is mostly a dead ringer for that of the Honda, though, aside from some fresh materials and a restyled center console, and its transmission will be, as in both the Integra and the HR-V, a continuously variable automatic (CVT). This doesn't sound like segment-leading stuff to us — we can't imagine the BMW X1, for example, is quaking in its boots — but the ADX may have a fighting chance given that it will start in the mid-$30,000s.
FAST FACTS
We don't have a high opinion of the Honda HR-V — it's ranked 11th out of 18 subcompact SUVs as of this writing — but Honda could easily win us over with an injection of power under the hood. The HR-V's major weakness is its pokey acceleration, which pairs with surprisingly mediocre fuel economy.
Wait, why are we talking about the HR-V in an Acura review? Because despite its tarted-up styling, the new-for-2025 Acura ADX is an HR-V underneath, which is the first thing you need to know about it. Yes, the ADX will be quieter and handle better, but its wheelbase length and structural bits mirror those of the HR-V. The biggest surprise dimensionally is that the ADX's relatively rakish styling treatment adds six inches from stem to stern, pushing the Acura's overall length to 185.8 inches — a tenth of an inch beyond the compact Mercedes-Benz GLC. Since the Acura RDX, at 187.4 inches long, already does battle with the GLC and company, we'll consider the ADX a subcompact for ranking purposes, but it's easily the longest subcompact luxury SUV on the market.
The second thing to know is that Honda — er, Acura — at least agrees that the HR-V's naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine isn't fit for luxury duty, because it's replaced in the ADX by largely the same 1.5-liter turbo four that powers the Acura Integra. That means you've got 190 horsepower on tap in the ADX (10 hp fewer than in the Integra), versus a weaker-than-it-sounds 158 hp in the HR-V.
So, the ADX will be a lot quicker than the HR-V. That's the good news. Unfortunately, it will also use a gearless continuously variable transmission (CVT), just like the HR-V and the Integra. No surprise there, but it bears mentioning that only one of subcompact luxury SUVs in our rankings has a CVT, and that would be the hybrid-powered Lexus UX. The others use conventional automatics with discrete gears, because the drive is much more precise and satisfying that way.
Well, it certainly has a competitive starting price. The CVT is perhaps the biggest question mark, as it certainly hasn't helped the Integra's cause versus its star luxury-brand rivals. Will subcompact SUV shoppers be more forgiving? We're not counting the ADX out, but it's not an obvious home run off the bat.
"The ADX is one of those 'edge cases' where it's technically a compact luxury SUV in terms of size, but its price and features are clearly targeted at the subcompact crew. We'll make an exception and consider it a subcompact, then, and there's certainly something to be said for this luxe-ified version of the Honda HR-V. Specifically, it has an appealingly low base price, and while it's far from swift by segment standards, its turbocharged engine is far more responsive than the non-turbo unit found in the HR-V. We definitely recommend driving some of the other models in this class, though, because while the ADX may a compelling upgrade from the HR-V, it falls short on performance and refinement relative to top rivals."—Ranked #6 out of 12 Subcompact Luxury SUVs
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Acura ADX that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
Despite being six inches longer than the Honda HR-V on which it's based, the ADX shares the Honda's 104.5-inch wheelbase as well as its standard and maximum cargo capacities. The most important difference, of course, is the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine under the hood, which fixes the HR-V's biggest problem: a profound lack of power.
All-wheel drive adds $2k to the ADX's price, which is a pretty standard premium across the industry.
What are the different versions of the 2025 ADX, and how much do they cost? Select a version below or just hit the button to see our full 2025 ADX specs and model data.
| Version | Price | Fuel | MPG | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Acura ADX 1.5T Front-Wheel Drive | $35,000 | Gas | 28 | 190 hp | 179 lb-ft |
| 2025 Acura ADX 1.5T All-Wheel Drive | $37,000 | Gas | 27 | 190 hp | 179 lb-ft |
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
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