2025 Acura ADX

The verdict: It’s taken a long time to get here, but Acura’s first subcompact SUV is only a few tweaks away from being right on the money with sharp looks, above-average dynamic character and a handsome interior.

Versus the competition: Though the Acura ADX undercuts the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA in price, it carries with it fewer niceties and less overt luxury, making it a closer competitor to the similarly priced Lexus UX.

Let’s start with the fundamentals. The ADX is based on the Honda HR-V, the smallest Honda SUV on offer at the moment. Both SUVs are entry points to their respective brands, but the ADX nips the turbocharged powertrain and a portion of the suspension bits from Acura’s Integra compact sports sedan.

A subcompact Acura SUV seems like an absolute no-brainer in this age of luxury SUVs, but that it took nearly 25 years since the introduction of the brand’s MDX is the frustrating bit. It’s not a simple copy-paste job, however. The ADX’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder isn’t quite as powerful as the base Integra’s, with 190 horsepower and 179 pounds-feet of torque against the sedan’s 200 hp and 192 pounds-feet.

The ADX handles reasonably well, too, with above-average grip and body control. Even if you’re not buying it for its dynamic capability, it will buzz through that once-a-year canyon pass to the in-laws’ ranch with enough confidence to perhaps inspire you to switch it into Sport mode. You’ll find that it doesn’t do much, however, mostly just affecting engine responsiveness and CVT character, with the latter also able to be sharpened up via the “S” setting on the gear selector.

Compared to the HR-V — or any other mainstream-brand subcompact SUV, for that matter — the ADX is demonstrably more refined to drive in any scenario. It’s quieter, softer, plusher and more composed than any Honda, and it’ll generally provide a “nicer” day-to-day experience than anything short of a competing Lexus, BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

How Roomy and Fuel-Efficient Is the Acura ADX?
Beyond the ADX’s mostly primo appointments, general headroom, shoulder room and legroom is good, with more than enough space for my 5-foot-11-inch frame in either row. One USB-A and one USB-C port complement the wireless charging pad up front, while backseat riders get USB-C ports on A-Spec and higher versions.

And even though the turbocharged ADX is more powerful than the HR-V, the two SUVs’ estimated gas mileage is similar. Both the AWD ADX and HR-V are EPA-rated at 25/30/27 mpg city/highway/combined, and the front-drive ADX’s 26/31/28 mpg rating is just 1 mpg highway lower than the Honda.

See? A segment no-brainer. The 2025 Acura ADX is mostly good stuff with a few aspects that need some minor tweaking to make it one of the best buys in its class. Interested? Count your pennies, aim for the middle, build one out and look for it soon at an Acura dealer near you.