2025 Acura ADX First Drive: Can It Outshine Rivals?
The entry-level 2025 Acura ADX is the automaker's all-new crossover SUV, unveiled in November 2024 and scheduled for release in early 2025. Acura intended the ADX to be an SUV alternative to the Integra, a fact that makes it competitive right out of the box.
Power comes from a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, that makes 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is offered. The front-wheel drive (FWD) models are EPA rated at 26 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined. The AWD models can get 25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined. Regardless of powertrain, the Acura ADX has a 14-gallon fuel tank and higher grade fuel is recommended.
The 2025 Acura ADX base model starts at $36,350 with fees. The higher trim level is the $39.350 ADX A-Spec, with the $43,350 ADX A-Spec with Advance Package at the top. Adding AWD to any of these trims will cost an extra $2,000.
Each trim level brings mostly visual changes and additional accessories, with no changes to performance numbers. The A-Spec gets 19-inch wheels while the A-Spec Advance Package gets "Berlina Black" wheels. Black out bits and pieces, along with unique badging, change with the trims. Each model has Snow, Comfort, Normal, and Sport drive settings, but the Advance Package also adds an "Individual" driving mode.
The 10.2-inch digital instrument display and the smaller 9-inch infotainment touchscreen are standard. What truly makes the extra cost for the A-Spec Advance Package worth it is the outstanding 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. Weirdly, Acura eliminated satellite radio from all trims of the ADX, so if SiriusXM is a must have for you, we're sorry.
After our drive in the top-spec ADX, I asked other media professionals if they felt that the front seats were remarkably comfortable. They all agreed. Unlike many sport-oriented crossovers that have unnecessarily firm sport seats, the ADX had soft and forgiving front seats that easily held my considerable bulk with no issues.
The rear seats are nearly best-in-class for comfort and room. Depending on the trim, the ADX also has between about 54 and 55 cu. ft. of cargo space, which puts it at the top of its class for cargo and passenger space.
The ADX's cabin also stands out thanks to the various color schemes it can be trimmed in, which include bony, Orchid, and Red. These are trim and exterior-dependent, so you need to equip yours accordingly to get the interior color you want. I find the Orchid, which is an off-white, to be especially cool because Acura adds contrasting blue inserts to the seats, as well. It's unique, but it's only available with Platinum White Pearl and Urban Gray Pearl.
Heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a large panoramic sunroof are optional but rear air vents and 60/40 split folding rear seats are standard. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article
Acura gave me an AWD A-Spec Advance ADX and sent me on a great drive through Santa Ysabel, CA. The picturesque drive was ideal for testing the ADX's all-weather capabilities, as I encountered some rain, and many miles of the twisty highway were covered in standing water.
Depending on the model, the curb weight ranges from just under 3,400 lbs to just over 3,600 lbs with AWD, which was just fine for the little turbo. Any more weight might make for sluggish driving; however, it's not too shabby as is. It takes 6,000 rpm to hit maximum horsepower, but maximum torque comes in quickly, at under 2,000 rpm. That is to say, it launches quickly.
It's no rocket ship, and the CVT takes away some of the fun, but it still has good power, and it handles very well. Even when pushed hard on wet surfaces, it clung on and provided a lively ride. Highway performance was extremely smooth, but you have to ramp up the rpm to pass quite a bit.
The steering is good, with a light feel but just enough resistance to feel sporty in Sport mode—which is what I left it in most of the time. The brakes were strong throughout the hours of pounding and abuse, with no fade.
I opened the panoramic roof and windows and cranked up the outstanding Bang & Olufsen sound system as I drove. As I dialed up the performance, it turned a nice ride into a fun ride. Sure, the CVT dulls some of the performance, but overall, it's a fun and logical little crossover.
Yes, it is based on the yawn-inspiring Honda HR-V, and you can see some of its influence if you look carefully. Still, Acura managed to make the ADX a little more than the sum of its parts - from a Honda into a proper Acura. That, in itself, is commendable. The 2025 Honda ADX is on sale now.
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We're keeping the MSRP down by zhuzhing up the gas-powered base model with the Veloce (Italian for 'fast') package, which includes electronically adjustable dampers and a bevy of comfort and convenience options that bring the $38,490 starting price up to $46,625 as tested. Apropos of nothing, a fully loaded Tonale is nearly $59,000. Skipping the pricey PHEV, you still get a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Its automatic transmission has real gears, nine of them in total. Numbers Game As each of these little buggers is hanging its hat on performance, let's get that out of the way first, and we'll keep it short. The Alfa absolutely mops the floor with the Acura, objectively speaking. Pick your instrumented test, and the Tonale comes out ahead, usually well ahead. It's 2.2 seconds quicker to 60 mph and 1.73812 seconds quicker through the quarter mile. That's what an extra half liter of displacement and quicker shifting will do for you. 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