Posts Tagged ‘Acura’

2011 Acura ZDX

The Acura ZDX altered the visual signature of the SUV when it was introduced. Based on the big MDX sport-utility, the Acura ZDX projects a carlike image using pronounced fender flares, a raked windshield, pronounced tumblehome on the side glass, and a fastback roofline.

Described as a four-door coupe by design staff, the Acura ZDX features hidden rear door handles to exaggerate the two-door look. Since it was intended primarily to meet the needs of self-indulgent couples, the declining roofline is not out of place on a vehicle like this, but it does compromise space in the rear seats. So does the use of long front doors (intended to accentuate the coupe-like proportions), which make the rear doors short and less convenient for access.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

2010 New York Auto Show Coverage

Acura's MDX caters to customers shopping for a midsize SUV, while its ungainly new ZDX reportedly aims at those who seeking something more carlike. What, then, does Acura offer buyers who want a car, but with just a little more cargo space? Why, a wagon, of course.

That's old-school thinking, certainly, but in today's world, cars like the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon --which was officially unveiled at the 2010 New York International Auto Show -- are a dying breed. Small crossovers and SUVS handily outsell wagons by an exponential margin. Let's say Acura does as well as the premium wagon segment leader, and ten percent of all 2011 TSX sales are of its new cargo carrier. That's little more than 3000 units per year in the U.S., assuming TSX sales next year will be closer to 2008's 32,000 than '09's 28,650.

Acura MDX 2010

Through the ’90s and well into this decade, the popularity of SUVs boomed; they were the vehicles of choice. Placated by a commanding view of the road and the illusion that heft begets safety, the public accepted the vehicles’ trucky ride and handling. Few if any SUVs actually lived up to the “sport” part of the acronym. Arguably, that began to shift when Acura introduced its revamped MDX for 2007. Equipped with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), that MDX boasted a N?rburgring-tuned chassis back when such a boast was actually sort of unique.

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