Acura Just Canceled the ZDX EV, but the Brand’s Electric Story Isn’t Over
The ZDX’s demise comes as Acura prepares for the launch of the in-house built RDX.
Justin BannerWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographerSep 24, 2025
001 2024 Acura ZDX A Spec AWD Front Quarter Motion
While it wasn’t exactly our favorite Acura given that it wasn’t really an Acura at all due to its use of a General Motors EV platform, technology, and cabin trim, there was no doubt that the Acura ZDX was a decent start to Acura’s EV efforts. It’s quick, has some solid (GM) tech, and is spacious, but you couldn’t shake the fact that it wasn’t a true Honda/Acura product. Well, it seems that the ZDX’s time is over as Honda has confirmed to several outlets that production of the ZDX has ended, but its cancellation doesn’t mean that Acura’s future EV plans are dead in the water.
Although Acura didn’t disclose exactly why it decided to drop the ZDX, it did cite “market conditions” as part of its decision. While it’s sold decently well, the EV tax credit and other incentives no doubt had a lot to do with those sales. The timing of the announcement coincidentally comes a few days before the Federal EV tax credit program is scheduled to officially end, which would have made selling it that much harder.
004 Acura RSX Concept Web
Tariffs likely didn’t have much to do with it as the ZDX is built at the same factory in the U.S. and on the same platform as the Chevrolet Blazer EV—so it and the Honda Prologue are not subject to the recently added Japanese import tariffs despite being Japanese-branded EVs. But losing out of the $7,500 credit appears to be a hill too high for Acura. Given the ZDX news, speculation started to swirl about whether Honda would potentially do the same with the Prologue, which is basically a ZDX/Blazer EV in Honda clothing, but Honda has confirmed that production of the Prologue will continue for now.
1 2025 Acura ZDX Type S interior
All is not lost on the EV front for Acura, however, far from it, thanks to the impending launch of the Acura RSX. First shown in prototype form this August, the RSX will not only be an all-electric SUV but a Honda-built product through and through. This means that many of the complaints we had about the ZDX will, hopefully, be solved by being a fully engineered Honda product. The RSX will be the first all-electric model to come out of Honda’s new EV Hub in Ohio as part of its Honda 0 Series of global EVs. It will also feature the new Asimo operating system for infotainment, a full suite of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), and enhanced personalization.
With the ZDX now ended, Acura can turn its full attention to the RSX, the official launch of which should be happening soon, with production expected to begin sometime in 2026. There is a possibility that, with today’s timing on the ZDX news, that we’ll see a production intent version of the RSX as early as the L.A. auto show in November. We have also reached out to Acura for more information and comment on both the end of the ZDX and the RSX debut.
Justin Banner
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he’s had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He’s best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
