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Who made the Acura ZDX?

The Acura ZDX was made by Acura, the luxury division of Honda Motor Co. It was produced in the United States for the 2010–2013 model years, built at Honda of America Manufacturing in East Liberty, Ohio, with design and engineering led by Acura’s North American teams.


Maker and Manufacturing


Key facts about the brand, parent company, and where the vehicle was assembled.



  • Brand: Acura, the luxury division of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

  • Parent company: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

  • Production location: Honda of America Manufacturing plant in East Liberty, Ohio, United States (assembled alongside the MDX).

  • Model years: 2010–2013


Together, these details show that the ZDX was a North American-built model under the Acura umbrella, leveraging Honda’s U.S. manufacturing network.


Design, Platform and Powertrain


Before listing key technical and design elements, this section explains how the ZDX was engineered and what it shared with related models.



  • Platform: Based on the Acura MDX architecture, sharing the underlying Honda platform used for premium SUVs.

  • Powertrain: 3.7-liter V6 engine delivering around 300 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

  • Drivetrain: Available with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).

  • Design and development: Led by Acura’s North American design and engineering studios, with styling emphasizing a coupe-like roofline while retaining SUV practicality.


These elements placed the ZDX as a bridge between sporty styling and traditional Acura practicality, built for the North American market during its brief run.


Impact and Legacy


Although the ZDX offered a bold silhouette and distinctive value proposition, it had a relatively short production life. Acura discontinued the model after the 2013 cycle as it refocused its crossover lineup and SUV strategy.


Summary: The Acura ZDX was built by Acura, Honda’s luxury brand, using MDX-based engineering and assembled at Honda of America Manufacturing in East Liberty, Ohio, from 2010 to 2013. It represented Acura’s experiment with a coupe-inspired crossover within Honda’s premium lineup.

Who builds the ZDX?


DETROIT—Honda is discontinuing its Acura ZDX electric crossover, which was assembled by General Motors at its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant. The move underscores broader challenges facing U.S. automakers as EV demand cools and federal tax credits begin to phase out under President Trump's new policies.



Is the Acura ZDX made by GM?


Yes, General Motors (GM) manufactured the Acura ZDX for Honda under a partnership, using GM's Ultium electric vehicle platform. The ZDX was built at GM's plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and shares a platform with GM vehicles like the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV.
 

  • Manufacturing: General Motors built the Acura ZDX at its plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. 
  • Platform sharing: The ZDX is built on GM's Ultium electric platform, which it shares with other GM-manufactured EVs like the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV. 
  • Partnership: The collaboration was part of a broader partnership between Honda and GM to co-develop electric vehicles. 
  • Discontinuation: Honda is ending U.S. production of the ZDX, which was built by GM. 



Is the Acura ZDX the same as the Honda Prologue?


No, the Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue are not the same, but they are built on the same underlying General Motors (GM) platform. The ZDX is positioned as a more premium, higher-performance luxury SUV, while the Prologue is a more practical and affordable electric SUV for families. Key differences include more powerful engine options and a more luxurious interior for the ZDX, while the Prologue emphasizes practicality and value.
 
Key differences

Feature Acura ZDX Honda Prologue
Performance Higher horsepower options, with up to 500 hp in the Type S model. Lower horsepower options, with up to 288 hp in the all-wheel-drive model.
Ride and handling Features a more sophisticated suspension and a more luxurious ride. Ride is comfortable but firmer than some SUVs, with less supportive seats.
Luxury and features Offers a more premium interior, including a more advanced infotainment system, and a higher-end audio system. Includes modern tech but doesn't match the premium feel and features of the ZDX.
Pricing Positioned as a premium luxury vehicle, so it has a higher starting price. Priced more affordably as a practical electric SUV for the average family.
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Shared foundation
  • Both the Acura ZDX and the Honda Prologue are built on the GM platform, meaning they share the same fundamental architecture and some underlying components. 
  • Some interior elements, like the sunroof and controls, can appear identical between the two vehicles, say Dailymotion users. 
  • Both vehicles are powered by GM's Ultium battery platform, though Acura adds more performance-oriented tuning and features to its version. 
  • The Chevrolet Blazer EV is another model that shares this platform. 



What car is the Acura ZDX based on?


Although the ZDX shares a similar profile with the Honda Crosstour, the two vehicles are not mechanically related: the latter is based on the Honda Accord, while the ZDX is based on the Honda Pilot/Acura MDX. The ZDX nameplate returned to Acura's lineup in 2024 as the brand's first electric vehicle.


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Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.