2025 Acura ADX Aims for a Fresh Spot in the Compact SUV Arena
The new 2025 Acura ADX enters the market as a youthful compact SUV intended to appeal to those seeking an upscale yet lively experience. Positioned as a gateway to the brand’s premium SUV range, it offers notable technology and standard amenities for a price starting around $35,000 (before destination charges). Interestingly, it shares roots with its close cousin, the Honda HR-V, and rolls off the assembly line in Celaya, Mexico.
Design and Exterior Highlights
The 2025 ADX embraces an athletic aesthetic defined by its low horizontal beltline, wide shoulders, and purposeful stance. Its front end is marked by a distinctive frameless rendition of the brand’s signature grille, framed by slim LED headlights that underscore a sporty, planted posture. At 185.8 inches long, the ADX falls neatly into the compact SUV category while projecting a confident outward profile. An optional A-Spec appearance package adds 19-inch wheels, gloss black accents, and LED fog lamps for a bolder look. Drivers can also select from several exterior colors, including a vibrant new shade called Adriatic Sea Blue Metallic.
Performance and Powertrain
Under the hood, the ADX uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder engine mated to a sport-tuned continuously variable transmission. Precise horsepower and torque numbers have yet to be officially published, but this setup is poised to deliver responsive power across the rev range with the help of VTEC technology on the exhaust side. While no 0–60 mph times or top-speed figures are confirmed, Acura pairs the engine with a dual-pinion assist electric power steering system and a fully independent suspension to boost handling prowess. An available all-wheel drive system further enhances grip while providing extra confidence in challenging conditions.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The 2025 Acura ADX is offered in three core trims: the standard model, A-Spec, and A-Spec with Advance Package. The base version starts at $35,000 (plus a $1,350 destination fee), which already includes a moonroof, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a power tailgate, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Opting for the A-Spec trim, beginning at roughly $38,000, brings a panoramic moonroof, ventilated front seats, and sporty visual touches inside and out. For those who want more, the A-Spec with Advance Package tops the lineup at around $42,000 (front-wheel drive) or $44,000 (all-wheel drive). It comes with gloss black mirror housings, Berlina Black wheels, a surround-view camera, and a powerful 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Inside, the ADX aims for a driver-centric layout with premium materials and a low-set dash that enhances visibility. The cabin can be configured in distinct color schemes, including an Orchid/Blue palette. Standard tech features include a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, a 9-inch touchscreen with a physical volume knob, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 15W wireless charging pad. Moving up to the A-Spec or A-Spec with Advance Package adds a flat-bottom steering wheel, ambient LED cabin lighting, rear USB-C ports, and more lavish trimming overall. The top-tier trim also integrates Google built-in, giving drivers voice-enabled navigation and access to apps through an included data plan.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Acura fits every 2025 ADX with an assortment of safety features under the AcuraWatch suite, which includes blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and collision mitigation braking. Standard next-generation front airbags, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, and side-impact airbags for rear occupants provide added protection. Higher trims add front and rear parking sensors and Low-Speed Braking Control, mitigating close-quarters risks. These elements combine with an advanced body structure designed to uphold a high standard of occupant safety, and Acura expects top crash-test ratings.
A Glance at the Broader Lineup
Enthusiasts and brand loyalists may notice similarities in how the 2025 ADX is engineered compared to the Integra hatchback, another offering from Acura that occupies a different segment but shares certain structural principles. The brand’s sedans and SUVs have consistently prioritized sporty handling and efficient performance, and the ADX aims to continue that tradition, just in a slightly smaller footprint than its larger stablemates.
Where It Stands Now
With its turbocharged engine, connected cockpit features, and available premium touches, the 2025 Acura ADX presents a compelling recipe in the compact premium SUV class. By leaning on its shared architecture with the Honda HR-V and taking advantage of advanced manufacturing in Celaya, Mexico, Acura is betting that youthful styling, comprehensive safety, and a lively driving character can attract new faces to the segment. Shoppers will likely find plenty to appreciate as they explore this latest entry in the performance-oriented roster of SUVs.
-Ed
2025 Acura ADX
