2025 Acura ADX: A Breath of Fresh Air in an Expensive Market
By Logan K. Carter
I often start these reviews with the same gripe: new cars are incredibly expensive. The average transaction price now nears the $50,000 mark, a figure I find increasingly hard to stomach. So, when I was invited to drive Acura’s new subcompact ADX crossover, starting at $36,350 (including destination), with the test car topping out at $46,890, I was cautiously optimistic. My expectations were somewhat tempered – I wasn’t expecting a sports car, but I was hoping for something more engaging. What I experienced, however, was a different, and arguably more appealing, kind of vehicle.
My initial hope was that the ADX would be a sporty, playful crossover, something with the tossable feel of the Integra. Acura’s marketing had set the stage for a more engaging driving experience, but the ADX simply doesn’t egg you on to push harder or take corners with more speed, and for me, that was disappointing. Instead, the ADX won me over by being an honest, user-friendly, spacious, and stylish entry-level luxury crossover. More an elevated HR-V than an Integra SUV, but that’s not necessarily a shortcoming.
Full Disclosure: Acura invited me to stay at a lovely beachfront resort to sample the company’s first subcompact crossover. They provided excellent food and even let us pick a pie from a local bakery. I’m grateful for the experience, but the perks don’t guarantee a positive review. Fortunately for Acura, it’s a good car.
Performance and Handling: Not Quite a Sportster
The ADX comes standard with a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with VTEC, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters. The engine is similar to the Civic Si and Integra, but with a different compression ratio and valve timing, resulting in output similar to the Honda CR-V. It’s not going to win any drag races. Front-wheel-drive models are rated at 26 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 combined, providing decent economy (all-wheel-drive models lose one mpg in each category).
The ADX weighs between 3,369 and 3,611 pounds depending on the drivetrain and trim, about 300 pounds heavier than the Integra and up to 400 pounds more than a comparable HR-V. During testing, the optional all-wheel drive system simply not necessary in the ADX. Like any VTEC engine, the ADX’s turbo four delivers peak horsepower at 6,000 rpm. The paddle shifters offer a touch of sportiness, but the “S” mode on the gear selector produced the more responsive experience. Official 0-to-60 mph times have yet to be published, but I’d estimate it’s in the 8-second range.
The ADX goes where you point it, offering competence without any particular joy. It’s predictable and doesn’t feel like it will understeer or flip, which makes it agreeable enough for most. The brakes also inspire confidence, and the softer pedal feel contributes to a smooth driving character. Though it may not be a sporty driver, it is a luxurious one.
Interior and Technology: User-Friendly Luxury
The 1.5-liter turbo and CVT combination is an exceptionally smooth powertrain when you’re not pushing it hard. During everyday driving, the ADX is quiet and comfortable at speeds under 4,000 rpm. The great visibility and elevated seating position create a sense of confidence, and every trim level comes standard with active noise cancellation. However, don’t expect ANC to help with engine noise above 4,000 rpm.
The ADX’s interior clearly reflects its entry-level luxury ambitions, especially in the top-tier A-Spec Advance trim. My test model was equipped with Acura’s Orchid interior, featuring soft white leather and bright blue Ultrasuede accents. Base models have leatherette seats, while the A-Spec trim adds microsuede accents. A panoramic moonroof with a power retractable cover is standard on all but the base trim. The ADX comes standard with a host of features, including AcuraWatch active safety features, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist and lane-keeping assist, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat and dual-zone climate control. Ventilated front seats are standard on all but the base trim. The top A-Spec Advance trim gets rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, and a 12-way driver’s seat memory. The hard plastic door panels in the rear are disappointing; the entire door card, save for the leather-covered armrest, is made from hard black plastic. Despite that, the rear seat offers good legroom and headroom, even with the panoramic roof, and standard air vents.
If technology is important to your purchasing decision, you’ll be happy to know that the ADX comes standard with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless phone charger, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The touchscreen is small-ish, but its straightforward menu structure and the physical controls make it incredibly user-friendly. The A-Spec Advance trim includes Google built-in, with three years of unlimited data for in-vehicle apps, Amazon Alexa functionality, and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. The standard audio system is an eight-speaker Acura Premium Sound System – I didn’t get to test this out. But the Bang & Olufsen is great, featuring the Beosonic Wheel to tailor the sound quality, making it easy to find the perfect settings. The B&O system elevates the high price of the A-Spec Advanced trim; if you are a music lover, this is an added benefit.
I was disappointed, however, by the lack of an automatic multi-view camera system. While attempting to park in a tight spot, I slightly curbed one of the 19-inch gloss black wheels. I was disappointed, but this is a great reminder of why automakers should make the multi-view camera feed appear when you approach obstacles from the front!
Final Thoughts: A Satisfying, Affordable Crossover
Acura’s little crossover is easy to live with. Despite spending only a few hours behind the wheel, I quickly adjusted to its features.
The ADX is spacious, quiet, comfortable, and includes a wealth of safety and luxury features. Furthermore, the crossover comes with Acura’s respected reliability reputation and an affordable price tag. Skipping the all-wheel-drive option will help keep the price down, and you’ll feel like you got a lot of car for the money.
Verdict: Highly Recommended
The new Acura ADX is a brilliant subcompact luxury SUV, especially when you consider its affordable price. Unless you really actually need it, I say skip the all-wheel-drive option. Keep the price down, and enjoy a very good car for the money.
