2026 Acura ADX

The first thing you need to know about the 2026 Acura ADX is that it's a Honda HR-V underneath. Yes, the ADX is quieter and handles better, but its wheelbase length and structural bits mirror those of the HR-V. The biggest surprise dimensionally is that, compared to the HR-V, 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 the HR-V's anemic naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is supplanted here 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 an even-weaker-than-it-sounds 158 hp in the HR-V.

So, the ADX is quicker than the HR-V. That's the good news. Unfortunately, it also uses a gearless continuously variable transmission (CVT), just like the HR-V and the Integra. No surprise there, but it bears mentioning that only other model in our Subcompact Luxury SUV 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. You rarely see luxury vehicles with CVTs, especially non-hybrid ones.

Is the 2026 Acura ADX a Good SUV?

"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 at least 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