Gallery
Pros
Cons
The 2025 Acura ADX is a brand new vehicle for the brand and its first-ever subcompact crossover.
Positioned as a gateway to the brand, Acura is leveraging its performance heritage and reputation for quality in an attempt to draw in new customers. It’s priced to compete with similarly sized rivals from brands like BMW, Audi, and Volvo, although that means standing out in the segment comes with its own set of challenges.
Driving Feel: 8.5/10
Acura’s performance roots run deep, with legends like the NSX and the Integra Type R gracing its history books. It was able to successfully transfer some of this lustre to other cars and crossovers over the years. The compact RDX is an excellent crossover to drive, and the same is true for the brand’s newest — and smallest — entry, the ADX.
You’d never know its roots are based on the rather bland Honda HR-V. The ADX has crisp steering and lots of grip around corners. It feels quite a bit like the Acura Integra or Honda Civic, with excellent body control and predictable handling.
Power: 6/10
The ADX needs more power, plain and simple — especially next to the competition. It uses the same turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder from the Integra, as well as the Civic and the Honda CR-V. It produces 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, and while it’s a fine engine, it doesn’t have enough grunt. The issue is compounded by the automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that doesn’t quite cut the mustard in this performance-inspired vehicle.
Fuel Economy 6.5/10
For something in the subcompact class — and with such a small engine — the ADX really should be more efficient, too. If you dip into what power the ADX does have, fuel economy takes a nosedive. Even with a more reasonable driving style, consumption stayed above 10.0 L/100 km during this test, much worse than the factory rating of 8.5.
Styling 8/10
The ADX is an excellent rendition of Acura’s current design language. From the pentagon grille and the distinctive lighting signatures to the creased bodylines, it’s a sharp-looking vehicle. The top ADX Platinum Elite A-Spec trim tested here comes with black 19-inch wheels and exterior details to match, all of which look great against the contrasting pearl white paint ($900).
The red interior option available on A-Spec and higher trims elevates the cabin with suede seating surfaces and a leather-like covering on the dash and doors ($600). A divider flows from the dashboard to the centre console like it does in the Integra and further separates the ADX from the humble HR-V it’s based on.
User-Friendliness: 10/10
With interior controls that should be familiar to anyone who’s been in a modern Honda, the ADX is about as user-friendly as it gets. Large knobs, big buttons, and a no-nonsense gear selector are simple to use but still feel premium. There’s a digital instrument display, and the Google-based infotainment system features Google Maps navigation and a clean and easy-to-navigate layout. There’s also wireless CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.
Comfort 7.5/10
The ADX has a great pair of front seats that are supportive with just the right amount of firmness, and they’re heated and ventilated in the A-Spec and Platinum A-Spec trims. The rear seats have a surprising amount of legroom, even for those north of six feet tall.
The ride is firm but not uncomfortable, and the ADX features well-tuned adaptive dampers so it’s stable at highway speeds and doesn’t hop around over rough pavement. Bonus points go to Acura for including a comfort mode that relaxes the chassis and smooths out the ride a bit more.
Practicality 8/10
There’s 656 L of cargo space behind the rear seats, which is quite a bit for a vehicle that’s not very big. Fold the seats down and the area expands to 1526 L, making this subcompact crossover feel about a size bigger than it is. You also get a decent amount of interior storage with big door pockets, split cupholders, and a large storage space under the armrest.
Features 8/10
One of the key differences between the ADX and the HR-V is its available sound system. The A-spec and Platinum A-Spec trims get a 15-speaker stereo that sounds impressive with crisp highs and thumping bass.
All trims feature a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate that can close automatically when it senses you’ve walked away, a wireless phone charger, and a Google-built in infotainment system.
Safety 9/10
The ADX shares a platform with the Honda HR-V, which received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Its suite of passive and active driver aids includes road departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control.
Value 6/10
The ADX’s $47,575 starting price before tax (but including a $2,595 freight charge) includes quite a bit of standard equipment at the base level, but it’s priced similarly to the stylish Volvo XC40 and BMW X2, while the Audi Q3 is a little cheaper. All have much more powerful engines, better transmissions, and more badge prestige. The top-of-the-line A-Spec Platinum Elite trim tested here rings in at $54,075 before extras.
The Verdict
The 2025 Acura ADX is good in most respects. It looks great, has a comfortable and well-trimmed interior, and even though it’s underpowered, it’s still fun to drive. Ultimately, though, it’s hard to recommend because of the many well-established competitors that are more powerful and offer even better driving experiences.
