2010 Acura ZDX: Coupe wannabe

PETER BLEAKNEY OR THE TORONTO STAR

The new ZDX unabashedly advertises form over function with its striking looks.

Peter Bleakney

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

LOS ANGELES–When I first spied the BMW X6 in 2007, I thought a premium full-sized SUV with only four seats and the upper profile of a rakish coupe flew in the face of reason.

Now Acura is jumping on this one-man-band wagon with the 2010 ZDX – a similarly shaped soft-roader that unabashedly advertises its form over function.

Even Acura says the ZDX is "designed primarily to provide a means of freedom and escape for two adults and their cargo" – read: childless couples and empty nesters. Unlike the X6, the ZDX will seat five, but it doesn't have as much cargo capacity as the compact Honda Fit.

Whether you love or loathe Acura's new grinning metallic grille, it seems most at home there, parked on the front of this intriguing wedge with the origami edges and all-glass roof. Riding on 19-inch alloys and flaunting protruding rear haunches that could give a Porsche palpitations, it's a striking vehicle indeed.

The ZDX feels half a size down from bulbous BMW X6 and sits closer to the ground. With "hidden" rear door handles and an extreme fast-back profile, it tricks the eye into thinking it's a two-door vehicle.

The ZDX will be built in Alliston, Ont., alongside the Acura MDX, from which it gets its platform and most mechanicals. It will be sold in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

Motivation comes from the MDX's 300 hp, 270 lb.-ft. 3.7 L SOHC V6. It also shares the SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) with torque-vectoring rear differential that overdrives the outside rear wheel when cornering, reducing understeer and improving transient response.

The Acura MDX is certainly one of the more athletic full-sized SUVs, so it's no surprise the ZDX takes this athleticism a step further with its lower centre of gravity and reduced curb weight.

Over the twisty canyon roads of our test loop, this four-door SUV/CUV coupe thingy never put a wheel wrong. While you can't feel the active differential working, you know it is because of the ZDX's quick turn in and fluidity through the bends, although you have to be on the gas to reap its benefits. Acura sticks with the tactile hydraulic steering rack from the MDX instead of adopting the electronic steering that mars the Acura TL and TSX sedans.

Suspension compliance finds a good balance between body control and comfort – it's firm but never intrusive.

The 3.7 L V6 is smooth and loves to rev, emitting a nice snarl above 4,000 rpm, where you will find the real power. It's hooked to an all-new six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a lock-up torque converter for improved efficiency.

Acura spent some time on the ZDX's interior, and indeed, it is the nicest effort I've seen from the company, featuring an organic flow of concave and convex curves with top-shelf materials. Hand-sewn full-grain leather covers the lower sweep of the dash, door panels and seats, which I found comfortable and firmly snug for my frame. I did wonder about the seats for those of larger girth, though.

Speaking of snug, once through the smallish back door openings, tall folks will find their pompadours perilously close, if not hard against, the scooped-out headliner.

The cargo area is designed to hold four sets of golf clubs, and the 60/40 rear seats fold flat.

Forward visibility is good; rear three-quarters not so much.

The ZDX is completely iPod and smartphone friendly, and ambient noise in the cabin is quieted by cancelling frequencies sent forth from the audio system. There is a three-view rear-view camera (normal, wide and top) and powered tailgate, plus Canadian models get standard heated rear seats and headlight washers.

Things get interesting with the Technology Package. Along with an impressive 10-speaker 435-watt 15-gig hard drive ELS audio upgrade, perforated leather, navigation with tri-lingual voice recognition, smart key access and push button start, the dual-zone climate control garners info from GPS satellites in the heavens, determines which side of the ZDX is getting more sun, and in conjunction with the solar sensor, adjusts the AC accordingly. Does it work? I guess so. The ZDX felt comfy enough on our drive, but I think the I-can't-believe-they-actually-did-this factor is of equal value.

The 2010 ZDX will be available this December, and although no pricing has been set, it should come in at the mid- to high-50s, with the Technology Package adding about 10 per cent to that. Obvious competitors for the ZDX are the BMW X6 xDrive35i ($63,900) and the Infiniti FX35 ($51,800), which also sacrifices utility in the name of sportiness and high style.

As noted earlier, this fresh vehicular niche is not aimed at the practical left-brain thinker or a boonie-bashing Biff McWilderness. Acura is looking for a place for its MDX customers to go once the kids have flown the coop.

The fact that it's a great drive is a plus.

Travel was provided to freelance writer Peter Bleakney by the automaker. pebleakney@sympatico.ca

Comparo: BMW X6, Infiniti FX50,Porsche Cayenne S

2009 Infiniti FX35

Second-hand: Infiniti FX

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