Acura has jumped into the affordable, compact luxury SUV segment with the sporty ADX.

The long-awaited entry-level SUV from Honda’s luxury brand will be the complement to Acura’s spicy compact Integra hatchback. Think BMW’s X1 and 2-series coupe tag team, or Audi’s Q3 SUV and A3 sedan. In an SUV-dominated age, Acura is the rare automaker to offer both an entry-level compact car and SUV.

Though sharing a front-wheel-drive/optional all-wheel-drive platform with Honda’s entry-level, Mexico-built HR-V SUV, the Acura will be more performance minded — upgrading to the peppy 1.5-liter turbo-4 engine found in the Integra and performance-focused Honda Civic Si. The otherwise practical HR-V has been panned for its 158-horse, four-cylinder engine, but expect 200 horses from the ADX mill.

The ADX, however, will not get a performance Type-S model like the Integra sedan. It will come in three trims: Base, A-Spec and A-Spec Advance. The ADX slots into the Acura lineup below the three-row, midsize MDX, and compact RDX. ADX shares those models' sharp, sculpted exterior but nixes their unloved remote console touchpad for a proper 9-inch touchscreen.

ADX will go head-to-head with segment competitors like BMW X1, Lexus NX and Volvo XC40. Though pricing won’t be released until closer to its early 2025 launch, expect it to come in below those $40k-something utes.

"The all-new Acura ADX is an exciting new gateway model for the Acura brand, expanding our performance SUV lineup to four exceptional models in the most popular segments," said Mike Langel, assistant vice president of sales for Acura USA. "ADX will hit the heart of the premium compact SUV segment, which has grown significantly over the past few years."

The base model comes loaded with standard, so-called AcuraWatch safety features, including blind-spot assist, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control. Also standard are 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, phone-charging pad, 9-inch touchscreen, 10.2-inch digital instrument display, eight-speaker premium sound system and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Like new GM products, Acura is also introducing a smartphone-like Google Built-in operating system — but it will initially only be available on the top Advance trim.

The A-Spec appearance trim upgrades with a sporty interior package including flat-bottom steering wheel, suede seat inserts, panoramic moonroof, ventilated front seats, 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, rear-seat USB-C charging ports and four-way power adjustment passenger seat.

Step up to the A-Spec Advance Package and buyers luxuriate with leather seats, 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, the aforementioned Google Built-in OS, five distinct drive modes, surround-view camera, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated steering wheel and more.

All-wheel-drive is available on all three trims, which will be good news to Michigan drivers bracing for snow drifts. All models also share Acura’s signature, frameless Diamond Pentagon grille and "chicane" LED daytime running lights and brake lights.

The aesthetics are complemented by state-of-the-art aerodynamics to enhance fuel economy, including an active grille shutter, front lip spoiler and underfloor cover. The grille is flanked by air curtain inlets routing air through the bumper and around the front, all-season tires. MPG figures will be announced closer to launch.

The 2025 ADX will be available in six exterior colors, including a new-to-Acura Adriatic Sea Blue Metallic. Three interior colors include Ebony, Red/Ebony, and a new-to-Acura Orchid/Blue. Blue is the new fashion in lux seats with examples including the Aston Martin DBX and Cadillac Vistiq.

Like the Integra, the ADX boasts generous 38-inches of rear seat legroom, which will be among best-in-class. Fold the rear seats flat and ADX boasts 55 cubic feet of cargo space.

Unlike the turbo-4-powered Integra and Civic Si, the ADX will not offer a manual gearbox, but instead offers a sport-tuned continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters. Acura’s Step Shift programming simulates gear changes like an automatic transmission under acceleration.

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