We think Acura has really been on a roll lately. We tested the Integra, TLX Type S, RDX, MDX and loved them all. And while it is Honda’s luxury brand, it seems like it’s finally getting its own mojo, and we’re all for that.
So when Acura introduced the all-new 2025 Acura ADX, we were intrigued – based on the Honda HR-V, which is pleasant enough, could Acura elevate that vehicle to make it desirable and thrilling as the brand’s entry-level small SUV? Let’s find out.
Acura Bold Looks
Acura makes sure you know you’re looking at a premium brand, and we think this is very handsome vehicle – and if you didn’t know better, you wouldn’t know it shares a chassis with the HR-V. And while Acura says the ADX is designed to welcome young buyers, we think the strong looks have appeal to buyers of any age!
The front features the brand’s bold pentagon-shaped grille, with the Acura badge sitting proud in the center. Slender LED headlights and driving lights follow the flowing hood line and give a serious look. Our tester was an A-Spec, and it adds a bunch of spice, including a Gun Metallic lower fascia and Gun Metallic skid garnishes. Sporty and upscale, it’s a strong first impression.
The profile does remind us of the HR-V, but that’s okay, because the Honda’s side view has a nice sporty look as well. With an overall length of 185 inches the ADX is larger than its key European competitors, and we think it looks substantial and sporty. The small green house swept back A-pillar and C-pillars make the ADX a handsome sibling that will look great in the showrooms next to Acura’s sleek Integra sedans.
Large wheel wells with blacked-out trim give plenty of space for the A-Spec Shark Gray 19-inch alloy wheels (it looks like there’s room for even larger wheels!), and a tasteful A-Spec badge on the front fender gives that little extra feeling of specialness.
We think the rear view may be the most handsome part of the design, the steep angled hatch creates a wide swept panel that braces the Acura badge, while wrap-around LED taillights give a broad-shouldered look. A spoiler above the rear window adds some aero cred. Like the front, there’s a contrasting Gun Metallic lower fascia adds some visual pop and flows down into two beefy looking exhaust pipes.
Finishing off the looks is our tester’s Urban Gray Pearl paint, a creamy cement-tone that’s all the rage these days. Even though a lot of manufacturers offer some version of this, we do have to admit it looks stunning here. Acura always serves up an interesting color palette, with 6 colors offered here, including an all-new Adriatic Sea Blue Metallic and Milano Red, which are exclusive to ADX A-Spec models.
Hot Red Interior
Inside, the A-Spec’s sporty mission makes a bold first impression.
While we’ve become used to Acura A-Spec red interiors, it always makes a bold look, featuring red leather seats with black suede inserts, and black and red panels on the door trims and center console with additional red on the upper dash. It wouldn’t look out of place in something like an Alfa Romeo. Bella! (We’ll also note that you can get Ebony or an Acura-first Orchid with Blue accents).
More than just a festival of red, the A-Spec features a flat bottom steering wheel with perforated leather, red gauge needles, and contrasting stitching on the steering wheel console and shift boot, as well as a chrome shift knob.
While the state of the art seems to be a seamless wall of dual digital displays like the BMW X3 we just tested, the ADX looks a little more old school with a customizable Precision Cockpit 10.2-inch digital gauge display and a 9-inch infotainment display.
The tech is up to date, with loads of goodies, with all ADX models featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wi-Fi and wireless smartphone charging. Our A-Spec Advance trim takes it to the next level, with Google built-in, Alexa, Multiview camera and a tremendous Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. 15-speakers in a small cabin gives big sound!
Worth mentioning, Acura gives you a volume knob for that audio! We also like the separate controls for the climate control system – no fishing through screens on the info-tainment system just to get comfortable.
And you’ll enjoy your time listening to the audio system, Acura spent a lot of effort to make what they call Body Stabilizing front seats, and they are very supportive and comfortable. Heated and Cooled on our tester, along with a heated steering wheel, you’re ready for 4-season comfort. Other A-Spec goodies include a panoramic moonroof that makes the already bright interior even more appealing.
That comfort isn’t just for those in front. While the ADX is not huge on the outside, it does boast best in class rear seat legroom, and it is surprisingly spacious – there’s real stretch out space here for adults, and you’ve also got one of the largest cargo areas in its class. With the rear seat up room is plentiful and impressive with 55.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded – enough room Acura says will fit two mountain bikes with the front wheels removed. A low lift over height and power tailgate help make loading easy as well.
Turbo Fun!
Driving the ADX shows Acura DNA through and through.
And that’s a good thing. Our recent test of the HR-V found plenty to like, but the 2.0-liter, 158 horsepower engine felt unenthused, and the overall driving experience was pleasant but not very soul-stirring.
Well Acura knows how to stir the soul, and they give the ADX a big upgrade, with a turbocharged, 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder that is found in many Honda products as well as the Acura Integra.
The numbers are strong, with 190 horsepower and 179-lb.-ft. starting at just 1,700 rpm. This is a great engine, and in Sport Mode it is very responsive, with a strong push from the get-go, quick response to the throttle, and a throaty exhaust note that makes you smile. In actuality, the ADX is not that fast, but the good sounds and throttle response make it a joy.
Power goes through a CVT automatic transmission, and while it does its best to imitate the shifting of a traditional automatic, it never quite gets you there. Paddle shifters help you “shift”, but it always seems that the ADX wants to be smooth and efficient in the transmission department. We will say that Honda/Acura do make one of the best driving CVT transmissions, but we’d still prefer a traditional automatic. On the bright side, with a 30 mpg Highway rating, you get good efficiency in the daily drive.
Our tester also had the optional advanced All Wheel Drive that can send more than 50% of power to the rear wheels, and that helps the ADX feel light on its feet, and the steering has nice precision – this is the Acura spirit that makes the little SUV fun to toss around, and with the good low-end turbo boost this is an especially fun beast for the tight traffic and twisty roads.
It’s also impressively smooth and quiet at cruise – the CVT lets the engine purr along at low rpms, and the suspension soaks up imperfections easily.
Buyers in the luxury brands will expect a full load of safety and driver assist tech, and the ADX comes well equipped, with Standard AcuraWatch suite with Blind spot information, Lane Keeping Assist, Collison Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow, Traffic Jam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and Traffic Sign Recognition, and more. You feel very well looked after.
What Price for Entry Level Luxury?
Here the Honda DNA shines through – the ADX presents strong value. You can get into a base ADX front wheel drive starting at $35,000. For the prestige, design and luxury that’s a great way to get into a luxury vehicle.
Our tester was the top-of-the-line ADX A-Spec Advance All-Wheel-Drive (that’s a lot of A’s!), starting at $44,000. With the sole option being Urban Gray paint ($600), and Destination for $1,350, we rang the bell at $45,950.
Acura is aiming directly at the small European SUV’s and competition would include the BMW X2, which is quite sporty as well, coming in at a bit of a premium to the Acura at $52,195. We also like the Volvo XC 40 for its unique style and Swedish-ness, priced at $52,200. It seems Acura competes well and offers a lower price, and we’d guess a much less cost of ownership over the long haul.
Stylish, sporty, premium and fun to drive, the 2025 Acura ADX is a great way to get into a luxury brand at a reasonable price!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.