Honda Axes Acura ZDX EV Amid Broader Rollback
▼ Summary
– EV sales are expected to decline significantly due to the expiration of a federal tax credit, leading automakers to cancel models and boost hybrids.
– The Acura ZDX electric crossover, a 2024 model with 325 miles of range, has been canceled shortly after its debut.
– The ZDX was built by General Motors through a partnership with Honda and was intended to mark the model’s comeback after a previous discontinuation.
– Honda stated the cancellation was to better align its product portfolio with customer needs and market conditions.
– Acura will instead focus on the upcoming all-electric RSX model, which will be built on Honda’s own EV platform starting in 2026.
The electric vehicle market is experiencing a notable shift, with automakers adjusting their strategies in response to changing consumer demand and evolving economic incentives. Honda has officially canceled the Acura ZDX EV, a decision that reflects a broader industry trend of scaling back ambitious electrification plans. This model, which had just launched as a 2024 vehicle, is the latest casualty as companies reevaluate their electric lineups.
Developed through a partnership with General Motors, the ZDX was assembled at GM’s Spring Hill plant in Tennessee. It promised an EPA-estimated range of 325 miles and started around $60,000. The vehicle marked the return of the ZDX nameplate, which had been discontinued years earlier due to weak sales. Despite production preparations already underway for the 2026 model year, Honda decided to halt the program entirely.
A company spokesperson, Chris Naughton, explained that the move was made to better align the product portfolio with customer needs and current market conditions. He emphasized that the ZDX contributed valuable experience for the Acura brand, laying groundwork for future electrified models. Among those is the upcoming all-electric Acura RSX, scheduled to enter production in Ohio during the latter half of 2026.
The ZDX drew design inspiration from Acura’s Precision EV concept and was notable as the brand’s first online-exclusive model. Reviewers frequently highlighted its spacious interior, though some critiques pointed to a disappointing cabin finish and overall feel. In contrast, the forthcoming RSX represents a fully in-house effort from Honda and Acura. It will be the first vehicle built on Honda’s new global EV architecture, known as the Zero series, signaling a significant step in the brand’s independent electric strategy.
(Source: The Verge)
