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With the release of the controversial, but eye-catching current-generation TL, Acura has begun a trend of designing out-of-the box vehicles. This trend continues for the luxury brand with its first midsize, five-passenger crossover, the stylish looking ZDX. The all-wheel drive ZDX, with its coupe-like styling, is going head-to-head with BMW’s X6. Unlike the X6, consumers won’t have to pay for premium pricing to get a comparably equipped vehicle.
Must-Have Goodies:
The cool looking ZDX is available in three trim levels: the well-equipped base ZDX, the Technology Package, and the Advance Package. Just like the telecommunication companies, Acura groups all of its options into packages. So, don’t expect any standalone options.
The ZDX with the Technology Package includes a voice-activated navigation system, real-time traffic updates, real-time weather forecasts with radar image maps, a back-up camera, an upgraded 415-watt Premium Audio System, a dual-zone automatic climate control system and a Keyless Access System (with Smart Entry and push button ignition).
In addition to the items noted in the Technology Package, the Advance Package adds several premium technologies: heated and cooled front seats and a sport steering wheel, with clutch-less shifting, a new blind-spot information system (BSI), an Adaptive Radar-Controlled Cruise Control (ACC) and a Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS).
For those not familiar with the CMBS, the goal of this radar-controlled system is to alert the driver to apply the brakes, when it senses a frontal accident is about to occur. In fact, when the system senses that a frontal collision is unavoidable, and even if no prior alerts have been given, the front seat belts tighten, and strong braking is automatically applied by the vehicle, helping reduce the impact velocity and collision force.
What Rocked:
We loved the futuristic rear hatch-back design - Acura’s prefers to call it a coupe-like design - of the all-new ZDX. The cutting edge design with the rear concealed door handles adds a certain cool factor to this vehicle. It’s quite obvious that the sensuous curves and less angular trademark design of this Acura are mainly due to the hands of a female designer. In fact, the luxury brand’s first female designer was responsible for sculpting the original sketch of the ZDX.
In addition to the ground-breaking design for the automaker, Acura is also touting its panoramic glass roof as being one of the longest in the industry, providing a better view of the stars at night. The panoramic glass roof has dual automatic sunshades that open and closes at the touch of a button.
Foremost, upgrading to Acura’s Technology Package offers music lovers a built-in 15-gigabyte hard disk drive (HDD) media storage system, which allows one the ability to download and store up to 3,500 songs.
Moreover, in the rear cargo area of the ZDX, there is an integrated under-floor storage area which provides 2.2 cubic-feet of secure space. Along with the under-floor storage, the luxury crossover also is outfitted with hidden storage areas in the cargo-compartment sidewalls.
And lastly, the ZDX is equipped with a power-activated rear trunk, which opens and closes at the touch of an internal button located in the rear of the vehicle.
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