Sleek 2025 ADX is the subcompact SUV Acura lovers have waited for

Yahoo

13-03-2025

SAN DIEGO — Acura's got a hit on its hands, if I'm any judge of the 2025 ADX subcompact SUV that rolls into the luxury brand's dealerships in late March.
The five-passenger ADX shares its platform, development team and basic philosophy with the sporty Integra sedan that revived enthusiastic drivers' passion for Honda's luxury brand when it debuted as a 2023 model.
The ADX checks the boxes on shoppers' lists in four key areas. There also are a couple of improvements I'd like to see.
Americans love SUVs of all sizes, but Acura has never offered a subcompact. True, not all luxury brands offer SUVs this small ― Infiniti dropped the spunky EX30 and Cadillac stopped building the roomy XT4 ― and even fewer match the ADX's sleek looks.
The ADX arrives with great credentials, using the same architecture and drivetrain as Acura's award-winning Integra compact sport sedan.
It comes with either front- or all-wheel drive. A 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission is standard. Up to 50% of the engine's torque can go to the rear wheels.
The Integra outsold key competitors like the Audi A3, BMW 2-series and Mercedes CLA last year, and I predict the ADX will be one of Acura's top sellers.
The ADX's controls are easy to use and understand. A 9-inch touch screen rises from the dash in easy reach of the driver, and the 10.2-inch digital cluster is sharp and clear.
There are physical dials and buttons for climate control. More buttons and a toggle on the center console select drive modes, brake hold, hill descent control, parking brake and other features.
The shifter is a simple lever rising from the center console. No obscurely placed buttons or stalks on the steering column for Acura.
The satellite controls on the steering wheel are also simple buttons, toggles and rollers.
An angled wireless charging pad holds devices secure in eager driving. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and pairing is easy.
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The interior looks and feels good. In addition to the seemingly mandatory red-and-black trim, the pleasant 'Orchid' color scheme combines white leather and ocean blue suede.
Other goodies:
15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio, with four speakers in the headliner
Active noise cancellation
18- or 19-inch wheels
Dual exhaust tips
LED head, tail and daytime lights
Three years' service of Google built-in virtual assistant
The ADX isn't a speed demon, but it's a satisfying vehicle to drive on twisting mountain roads. The variable-ratio steering is precise, with good feel. The suspension holds the SUV stable and upright around tight corners, with very little lean or body roll.
The brakes are outstanding, and the suspension matches them by minimizing squat and dive when accelerating and braking.
The front seats are comfortable and have plenty of storage. Rear legroom is good, but the sleek profile limits rear headroom.
Power: The ADX looks low, wide and fast, but it doesn't live up to those looks. It needs more power and better acceleration. 'Yeah, yeah, yeah,' you're saying, 'You car guys always want that.'
That's true, but Acura must address the issue if it wants to ADX to be a true stablemate to the fun delightfully responsive Integra. The AWD ADX A-Spec I drove weighed 461 pounds ― 14.6% more than an Integra A-Spec but had 5% less horsepower and 6.7% less torque.
That's a big deal, and you feel and hear the difference every time you leave a traffic light or pull out to pass.
The ADX needs at least the base Integra's 200-hp/192 pound-feet 1.5L engine. The 320-hp/310 pound-feet 2.0L engine in the Integra Type S would be better.
Noise: It's also subject to a lot of engine and road noise for a vehicle that aspires to luxury. Execs praise the SUV's active noise cancellation and acoustic insulation, but it could use more of both.
Audi Q3
BMW X1
Buick Encore GX
Lexus UX
Lincoln Corsair
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Volvo XC 40
ADX FWD: $35,000
ADX AWD: $37,000
ADX A-Spec FWD: $38,000
ADX A-Spec AWD: $40,000
ADX A-Spec FWD with Advance package: $42,000
ADX A-Spec AWD with Advance package: $44,000
Prices exclude $1,350 destination charge
The ADX is comfortable and attractive, with good cargo space, a fine audio system and plenty of other appealing features available at lower prices than in many less attractive competitors. It could use more power, but the well-tuned steering and suspension enable enthusiastic driving.
Front- or all-wheel drive five-seat subcompact luxury SUV
Base price: $35,000 (All prices exclude $1,350 destination charge)
On sale late March
Model tested: AWD A-Spec with Advance package
Price as tested: $45,540
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder
Output: 190 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 179 pound-feet of torque @ 1,700-5,000
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Estimated fuel economy: 25 mpg city/30 highway/ 27 combined. 91 octane premium gasoline recommended
Wheelbase: 104.5 inches
Length: 185.8 inches
Width: 72.5 inches
Height: 63.8 inches
Ground clearance: 7.3 inches
Passenger volume: 97.3 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 24.4 cubic feet behind rear seats: 55.1 cubic feet behind front seats
Curb weight: 3,611 pounds
Weight distribution: 57/43
Assembled in Celaya, Mexico
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or [e-mail]. Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sleek 2025 ADX is the subcompact SUV Acura lovers have waited for