State of Confusion: Acura updates the 2013 ZDX, then immediately kills it

[Swallow Doretti]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...ces-its-demise

Acura has sunk a considerable amount of time, money and effort into the 2013 ZDX crossover, trying to make the oddly-styled Jack-of-all-trades vehicle more appealing to the general public.

The 2013 Acura ZDX will get a restyled grille; parking sensors front and rear; power folding mirrors and a suite of safety features that include Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning. It also comes bearing a price tag of $51,815 (including the $895 destination fee), and an obituary from Acura.

Announcing the discontinuation of the ZDX after the 2013 model year, Acura’s vice president and general manager, Jeff Conrad, said, “Moving forward, we will continue to advance the Acura lineup with a focus on new core models, like the recently redesigned RDX and the upcoming all-new RLX flagship...”

The 2013 ZDX comes all-in, loaded to the gills with as much luxury and technology as the automaker can stuff between its flanks. There’s the superb Acura/ELS audio system to boast about, as well as standard navigation, comfortable leather seating and comprehensive safety features.

Fuel economy, however, remains a disappointing 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, largely due to the ZDX’s all-wheel-drive layout and thirsty 3.7-liter V-6 engine. Sure, it makes 300 horsepower, but that’s really overkill for a grocery-getter like the ZDX.

Given the car’s abysmal sales numbers (just 48 U.S. customers took home a ZDX in September, and only 642 have been sold year to date), it’s no mystery why the ZDX was discontinued. In fact, the only question in our minds is why did Acura even bother with a 2013 ZDX model refresh?

[classicjetta]

I'm confused, are they going to sell any or not?

[Charlie84]

Yep. These guys definitely know what they're doing with their products and brand. And the ILX/Civic-with-leather is totally worth $30K and will be a runaway success with rambunctious young professionals.

Also, at $51K, you'd have to be high to buy a ZDX. If it had any rear-seat room at all and a pricetag $10K less, I could maybe see a case for it. But then it'd also have to come from a desirable brand for it to be "cool".

[Turbio!]

Thing that's funny is that the general styling theme and shape could have made for a pretty great-looking 4-door coupe, which Acura doesn't have and (IMO) really needs. But Acura has been performing great landings at the wrong airport for decades now.

[Swallow Doretti]

I'm confused, are they going to sell any or not?

They updated it for 2013, announced the updates, then immediately announced 2013 will by the last MY. My guess is they'll build 1,000, and then call it a day--production will probably wrap before month's end.

[SVTDanny]

Also, at any price, you'd have to be high to buy a ZDX.

FTFY.

No amount of "updating" (Other than lots of fire) can fix that abomination.

[classicjetta]

Also, at $51K, you'd have to be high to buy a ZDX.

Seriously, this is by far the biggest WTF about the car.

[Oliver@triplezoom]

Can't say that update helped its looks any. I'm always surprised when I see one of these because I just assume no one buys them. Not as surprised as I was the other day when I saw a Murano CrossCabriolet (or whatever it's called) but that's a whole 'nother story.

[Swallow Doretti]

I just realized Acura cares so little about the 2013 ZDX that they just photoshopped a picture of the 2012 for the new press photo:



I always thought the ZDX looked terrific. But it's a very small car inside with poor fuel economy and only so-so performance.

[BLK9GEN]

I would have zero problems owning a used one of these down the road for cheap. While hardly practical, I've always loved the ZDX and hated the Crossturd. The ZDX has Acura's nicest interior to date.

[Turbio!]

Yep. These guys definitely know what they're doing with their products and brand. And the ILX/Civic-with-leather is totally worth $30K and will be a runaway success with rambunctious young professionals.

Also, at $51K, you'd have to be high to buy a ZDX. If it had any rear-seat room at all and a pricetag $10K less, I could maybe see a case for it. But then it'd also have to come from a desirable brand for it to be "cool".

Yeah, the pricetag is hallucinatory. What $50k buys you from almost any other brand is so much more desirable it's not even fair.

[koko12]

It's really a shame because underneath the skin I think the ZDX is a great vehicle. What Acura should have done is a major redesign of the outer skin, make it less futuristic and give it a second chance. Another Problem with Acura is they love to offer their vehicles almost fully loaded leaving little choice to the customer on weather they want those option or not. They should offer more basic models and let customers add on the options that way they could affer a vehicle like this with a starting price of around $40K. I think Acura gave up too soon on this vehicle. The thing they really needed to kill off as soon as possible was whoever design the beak.

On a different note the ZDX will soon be a great buy in the use market and they could be immensely helped with a little aftermarket effort.

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

They updated it for 2013, announced the updates, then immediately announced 2013 will by the last MY. My guess is they'll build 1,000, and then call it a day--production will probably wrap before month's end.

Mankind is better for this decision.

[sandiegan]

Surprised resale has been this nice to it

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3313321358.html

[Professor Gascan]

I always thought the ZDX looked terrific. But it's a very small car inside with poor fuel economy and only so-so performance.

I like it everywhere except in profile due to the overly long front overhang. The rear headroom clearance getting in and out is appalling, although it is strangely amusing to watch the 3 people at autoshows who look at them to smash their heads into the c-pillar.

[dcmix5]

What we have here is a case of addition by subtraction. It is a wise move to kill this stupid ugly pile of ****.

Now they can spend the money on something people want to actually buy.

[rbloedow]

Surprised resale has been this nice to it

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3313321358.html

Hell - look at this $28,998: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...29201184&Log=0

[The Ninja]

Surprised resale has been this nice to it

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3313321358.html

One Craigslist ad does not resale make.

[Preppy]

2009 was a happy time for her... she now works for GM, designing who knows what? Think acrua wanted to distance themselves from her as quickly as they could (or vice versa).

[a2a4raddo]

Yeah, the pricetag is hallucinatory. What $50k buys you from almost any other brand is so much more desirable it's not even fair.

I said this from the start. Cars like this are a waste of resources for the manufacturer. They are a nitch vehicle that hardly anyone buys. The ZDX's only true competitor is BMW's X6 which doesn't sell all too well itself. And comparing it to an X6, the ZDX is a bargain as it costs 10-15k less when equipped with the same level of features.

Earlier in the year, Audi announced that they will be building a X6 rival based on the Q7 platform as well. Not sure where they think they are going to pull customers from......considering the X6 and ZDX combined don't post any type of significant numbers. Then again......they are not building this car from ground up, so the investment is not huge. Like the X6 and ZDX which use the X5 and MDX platforms/drive trains...they will be using the Q7's. I guess it may make more sense for Audi then it does for Acura or BMW due to the fact that the Q7 already shares its platform with the Cayenne and T-Reg.

[radroc]

Re: Designer

Take the money and run!

Too late to ask but why not a turbo'd I-4?

[sandiegan]

2009 was a happy time for her... she now works for GM, designing who knows what? Think acrua wanted to distance themselves from her as quickly as they could (or vice versa).

Art Center. Knew it.

[koko12]

I Just checked Acura.com and the Price is $46,120. Still I think it should not be more than an MDX which starts at $43K but this article is claiming the ZDX is about $5K more than it atually is.

[MrRoboto]

Reminds me of the tweaks VW gave the Corrado just before they killed it.

[Old Windy]

2009 was a happy time for her... she now works for GM, designing who knows what? Think ACURA wanted to distance themselves from her as quickly as they could (or vice versa).

Well hopefully they are not letting her continue on her previously created design language. I would not like to see that front end on a Camaro, Covette, or worst Cadillac. For a mather of fact anywhere on GM's lineup.

[kraut_pauer79]

wow, those are truly pointless sales numbers, I can't believe they're even keeping it around for 2013.

It's a shame too in my opinion. One of my neighbors has a black one and I really like it.

[Preppy]

Well hopefully they are not letting her continue on her previously created design language. I would not like to see that front end on a Camaro, Covette, or worst Cadillac. For a mather of fact anywhere on GM's lineup.

ermahgerd, i made a typo.

[BLK9GEN]

I Just checked Acura.com and the Price is $46,120. Still I think it should not be more than an MDX which starts at $43K but this article is claiming the ZDX is about $5K more than it atually is.

The mechanicals are the same as the MDX, more or less, and the ZDX has a much nicer interior with more feature content. $3k isn't a lot more.

[a2a4raddo]

I Just checked Acura.com and the Price is $46,120. Still I think it should not be more than an MDX which starts at $43K but this article is claiming the ZDX is about $5K more than it atually is.

Those are 2012 prices on Acura.com

The 2013 will only be avail in 1 trim level priced at 51k. The 46k base model you see on acura.com does not have nav, etc.

[P-Body]

2009 was a happy time for her... she now works for GM, designing who knows what? Think acrua wanted to distance themselves from her as quickly as they could (or vice versa).

The concept sketch looks great, and somehow the rear area looks like it would fit human beings better than the production version did.

Nothing wrong with the ZDX that a 10k price drop and better wheels couldn't fix. BMW does well with the X6... this is similar but distinct. Dumb pricing screwed it.

[Lwize]

Does this mean the Crosstour is done too?

[bsmack]

My dad bought one of these monstrosities brand new about 2 or 3 months ago. I have no idea why. They have a newish lexus SUV and a loaded honda accord already. My youngest brother just finished college and got a job at IBM. It's hard to criticize his choice to his face since he loves the thing, but he seriously could've gotten a way more fun car since he and my mom have 2 good daily drivers already.

[Charlie84]

The ZDX's only true competitor is BMW's X6 which doesn't sell all too well itself. And comparing it to an X6, the X6 is a bargain as it actually performs and has real cache with the sought-after Affluent Douchebag demographic.

FTFY.

If you're going to build a car to sell to douchebags, at least do it right. With the X6 (yes, and other models), BMW coined a whole new genre of automotive douchebaggery. Acura just made a pathetic knock-off. Like the hopelessly nerdy kid trying to hang out with the star quarterback, when he should be focusing on his grades so that he can someday be rich enough to just buy that level of douchebaggery.

[Preppy]

Does this mean the Crosstour is done too?

Two completely different cars, yet somehow, the same pile o ****.

[a2a4raddo]

FTFY.

If you're going to build a car to sell to douchebags, at least do it right. With the X6 (yes, and other models), BMW coined a whole new genre of automotive douchebaggery. Acura just made a pathetic knock-off. Like the hopelessly nerdy kid trying to hang out with the star quarterback, when he should be focusing on his grades so that he can someday be rich enough to just buy that level of douchebaggery.

The Acura has a nicer interior and is much cheaper. What it lacks is not performance when compared to its direct counterpart from BMW.......the 6cyl X6. What it lacks is the V8 and M model competitors as well as the cache to sell either....or even the 6 cyl model for that matter. It's akin to Hyundai trying to sell their d class sedan for Lexus ls prices. Just wont happen.

If it were priced for 10k less, I bet his car would sell really well. But as is, not many people are willing to spend 50k for a niche empty nester faux SUV/sport car with a nice interior, lots of tech, and a great Awd system.