The Acura ZDX - A Big, Hot Mess or a Work of Art?

By Jim Hamel

Jim Hamel

BIO

I am now the editor for one of High Gear Media's newest and most exciting sites called "InsiderCarReviews.com." I road test brand new vehicles each... More

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 It started when they attached that horrible snout to the latest TL and then managed to glue it to the front of all their new cars. Even the MDX! Just tell me that giving it a snout doesnt make the MDX look just a little bit like Miss Piggy?

 Is it wrong to drive something that doesnt necessarily draw too much attention to itself yet has all the luxury bells and whistles? This is a mid-level luxury automobile here, Acura, not an outfit for one of the performers on Dancing with the Stars.

 But then I looked at this Acura again recently and all I can say is that my mind is changed. Never before have I seen an SUV automobile that so fills the angular modern art ethos. It may not be the most practical shape but if you ever wanted to drive an example of geometric style modern art than your SUV has arrived. It is more a piece of architecture than true car design.

 While I really enjoyed the classless nature of earlier, less show-y Acura models I realize that change is always necessary to keep a car line fresh (ahem, this means you Lexus). Now after seeing the ZDX in the metal I can definitely say this car is uniquely different yet highly appealing. This car is perfect for couples whose kids are off to college so they dont need that much room but want to at least be able to pick them up at the airport. So that way they can avoid ugly scenes like, sorry kids, you wont fit in the Roadster! Bye, bye!

 And the snout/grille I have so derided in the past? It actually works on the ZDX. Does this mean future Acura models will go even further to the techno side to match the grille? I honestly hope so. If Acura is to pull this off the exterior styling of all its cars must be art student/graphic artist/Starbucks Barista bold.

 But as a contrast Acura needs to try warming up its interiors with a few more organic shapes and fewer buttons. Sitting behind the wheel of the ZDX makes you feel trapped in an episode of Lost in Space. And no, I dont care if the dashboard is double stitched in leather.

 Dashboard leather does not make for a comfortable interior space in and of itselfit makes for a fine fabric for the living room wallpaper of a dominatrix but it is not so great for a dashboard this space age. Seriouly, Acura, we get it! Youre from outer space! Just dont try and make us believe cows live out there with you.