Does The Sporty, Lux Acura ADX Live Up To The Brand's DNA?

Forbes

13 hours ago

2025 Acura ADX A-Spec with Advance Package
Acura is known for fun, sporty sedans and SUVs drawn from its performance car legacy, the Acura NSX. While the NSX is taking a break from the spotlight, Acura isn't; the brand just released its newest progeny: The entry-level ADX.
A compact SUV with a silhouette that Acura RDX and MDX fans will find familiar, the ADX is a mashup of two popular models from the Honda family: It shares its platform with the Honda HR-V, as well as with the current Acura Integra, a hatchback coupe that is Acura's most entry-level hatch. The 2025 Acura ADX inherits its powertrain from both models and derives its comfortably sized passenger cabin and cargo space from the Honda HR-V.
With a staring price of $35,000, the Acura ADX is the second most affordable in the brand's lineup and the best-priced SUV that Acura sells; the Integra, with a starting price of $33,000, is the least expensive.
This 'gateway to Acura,' as the company calls it, is a great place to start the luxury car journey, and for many reasons, not the least of which is the surprisingly—or perhaps not surprisingly—fun drive experience it delivers.
Don't Let The Horsepower Fool You: The ADX Is Fun To Drive
On first glance, the horsepower rating of 190 hp and 179 pound-feet of torque may seem like not enough power for a fun drive experience. But power is only part of the story; the Acura ADX also features a quick turbo burst and a nicely tuned suspension and braking system. The CVT transmission is designed to sound and feel like a conventional transmission so it seems like it's upshifting or downshifting even when, really, it isn't.
Another reason the ADX is fun to drive is the setup of the driver's seat. The lever gear shifter gives you the feel of power in your hands, something that the brand's former push button gear selector didn't deliver on. Now, drivers get the satisfying feel of pulling the shifter back into gear before hitting the accelerator.
One caveat, though: the 190 hp engine may make hauling a full load of passengers a challenge; I wasn't able to try that during my test drive.
The ADX was easy to handle on the highway and quickly got up to speed on the on-ramp, though its power peaked quickly. In town it was even better, easy to drive, park and handle on city and suburban streets,
The rear end of our Acura ADX A-Spec Advance test model
The ADX Proudly Boasts The DNA Of Its Siblings
You would be forgiven for looking at the Acura ADX and mistaking it for the RDX, now the Mama Bear in Acura's SUV lineup. It shares the diamond mesh front grille that creates the feeling of water rushing from the surface under a blast of air, as well as sleek daytime running lights and similar tail lights that add to the feeling of motion.
With a framework based on the Honda HR-V, which increased interior space quite a bit over the prior model, the ADX is surprisingly spacious. I found the rear seat to be comfortable, with plenty of legroom and hip room for an adult. And, the cargo area provides ample space for luggage for four adults.
The front seat in the 2025 Acura ADX A-Spec Advance
The ADX's Interior Feels Far More Plush Than Its Price Suggests
Inside, Acura worked on simplifying the interior but adding some plush design details, the kind you might only expect to find in far more expensive cars. It starts with the option of Orchid seating in our A-Spec Advanced model; the glowy cream leather on the seats, dash and door panels, is accented with bright blue microsuede on the seats. The overall feeling is quite chic and allowed the leather piecework, a combination of smooth and perforated, to really stand out.
The cockpit also has a luxe feel; the leather wrapped steering wheel and gear selector feel nice in your hands. The mesh-covered air vents are a simple detail that look quite nice (and are a nod to modern Honda design). And the 10.25' digital driver display adds a sporty feel.The interior of the 2025 Acura ADX A-Spec Advance with Orchid upholstery
A Simple Lineup Makes Picking An ADX Easy
Unlike many luxury brands, Acura offers a simplified trim lineup of ADX models; there are three: ADX, A-Spec and A-Spec Advanced.
The entry-level ADX is priced from $35,000; all wheel drive is an additional $2,000. Standard appointments include heated seats, a sunroof, black leatherette upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting and 9' touch screen.
The A-Spec model, which starts at $38,000 adds 19' wheels, an A-Spec style package, microsuede accents, a power front passenger seat, a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel and a choice of black, black and red, or the option of the Orchid interior. The A-Spec Advanced model, which starts at $42,000, adds leather seating, remote start, heated steering wheel, premium Bang & Olufsen sound and 15 speakers. Our test model came in at at $45,950 including upgraded Urban Gray paint with Orchid interior and a $1,350 destination charge.
Other than all wheel drive and two paint upgrades , there are very few options on the ADX; buyers can choose premium and add things like a puddle light, all weather floor mats or roof rails. Anyone who wants upgraded sound or seating will have to opt for the trim package that offers it.
All this is simply another refreshing detail: This sporty, elegant SUV can be had for a very reasonable price, even at the top end, and deliver on the design vision and sporty DNA Acura is known for.