   2010 Acura ZDX. Click image to enlarge |
Around parking lots, the ZDX also shines. Unlike many SUVs, the ZDX is nimble and easy to navigate in tight corners thanks again to torque-sensing variable assist steering. Complementing its ability in tight quarters is one of the best rear-view back up cameras I have seen, integrated in the ZDX’s navigation screen. There are three different views of the camera – normal, enlarged and view from above. One switches between views by pressing the central controller. When viewed from above, it is possible to reverse to within inches of another object or vehicle with complete confidence. So well does the system operate that we’ve taken to routinely reversing into parking spots, despite the limited rearward visibility in the ZDX.
As a luxury vehicle, the ZDX includes the kind of appointments and features you would expect from a vehicle with a starting price of $55,900. Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive is standard, as is Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, headlight washers, variable intermittent windshield wipers, fog lights, power tailgate and a panoramic power sun roof.
Inside, full leather seating is standard as well as a leather trimmed instrument panel and centre console. Both front and back seats are heated. The driver’s seat is 10-way power adjustable with two-way power lumbar support, while the passenger seat is 8-way power adjustable. Dual zone climate control, Bluetooth wireless mobile phone interface, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, rear-view mirror camera, two-position memory system linked from the key fob to the driver’s seat, steering column, side mirrors and climate control, and automatic day/night rear-view mirror are all standard equipment.
Our tester was equipped with a technology package that upgrades the audio system to Acura’s ELS Surround premium 10-speaker audio system with DVD audio, CD, AM/FM radio, XM Satellite Radio, 15-GB hard disk drive (HDD) media storage system, Song By Voice (SBV), Dolby Pro Logic II and a 435-watt Digital Signal Processing (DSP) amplifier. Other features of this package include keyless access and pushbutton ignition, perforated full-grain Milano leather seating surfaces, navigation system with voice recognition, and 8-inch full VGA high resolution colour display with LED backlighting and the multi-view rear view camera. Cost is $3,600.
As well, our ZDX was equipped with a number of optional accessories: running boards with LED lights that run the full length of the boards ($1,149.88); a deck lid spoiler ($651.88), all-weather floor mats ($224.88); cargo tray ($187.94), and; cargo net ($119.88). The running boards and deck lid spoiler can also be purchased as part of a sport package that includes upgraded 19-inch, five dual-spoke chrome finished wheels ($4,761.28), but we opted for the standard 19-inch painted aluminum alloys.
The total price for the ZDX, excluding freight and PDI ($1,895) came to $63,729.46.
The 2010 Acura ZDX provides the right blend of sportiness, functionality and style that we look for in a vehicle, but then our family – a family on the verge of becoming an empty nest – is right in the market target for this vehicle. At first we had misgivings about it, but after a month of daily use the Acura ZDX became the vehicle of choice in our family and largely because it was a real pleasure to drive.
The ZDX is not without its faults. Rearward visibility is a significant issue while rear seat access is difficult. But, in my opinion, the positive far outweighs the negative.
