Acura has never attempted to be the most lavish nor the quickest automaker on the market. Instead, they aim to deliver luxury vehicles that offer excellent value for money. They have extended this mission with the launch of the ADX, the most affordable subcompact luxury SUV on the market.
The ADX aims to make luxury vehicles more accessible than before, with a price tag that just about anyone can justify. This new model will open Acura up to an entirely new market and demonstrates the brand’s commitment to putting value above all else. It definitely has some drawbacks, but on paper it seems like a fantastic option for those looking to dip their feet into the luxury segment.
We take a dive into Acura’s newest model, exploring its comfort, performance, and value. We find out what its strongest points are as well as what might hold it back. We also detail why we think it’s such a standout option in such a heavily contested segment.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Acura websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and MotorTrend.
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The 2025 Acura ADX Undercuts All of Its Rivals
Acura is the luxury wing of Honda and has been producing upscale versions of the Japanese brand’s vehicles for quite a while now. Their latest venture puts them up against other luxury subcompact SUVs, with the ADX. This little crossover may not represent the best that the brand has to offer, but it does provide phenomenal value for money.
Trims and Pricing
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
Base |
$35,000 |
|
A-Spec |
$38,000 |
|
A-Spec Advance |
$42,000 |
For a luxury subcompact SUV to be considered affordable it usually has to sit around the $40,000 mark. There are only a few exceptions that sit below that mark, including the Lexus UX which starts at $37,715 and the Mini Countryman which starts at $38,900. The Acura ADX adds an even lower entry point for those looking for a luxury option, starting thousands of dollars below its main competitors.
We aren’t going to pretend that it’s as plush as some of the segment’s leaders or that it comes as well-equipped, but the Acura offers a ton of value for the price you pay. The most realistic way to frame this crossover is that it is a plusher version of Honda’s HR-V. If you’re looking for something that offers a real step up from mainstream options but don’t want to empty your bank account, the ADX looks like a great buy.
Best Value For Money Trim
Acura’s ADX comes in three different trim levels. Unfortunately, the brand hasn’t included a high-octane Type S model, but that may be something we can look forward to in the future. The top of the line A-Spec Advance model is just slightly too expensive to recommend, and the base model doesn’t have all the desirable features you’d want in a car of this class, leaving the A-Spec as your best option.
It is a $3,000 jump from the base model to the A-Spec, but that money gets you a lot of equipment. The A-Spec model adds things like faux suede, ventilated front seats, USB-C ports for rear passengers, and a panoramic sunroof, among other things. It allows the ADX to call itself a luxury vehicle while retaining a price tag that is still stomachable for most people.
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Acura Includes Tons Of Contemporary Technology In The ADX
Interior shot of a 2025 Acura ADX
While it is obvious in some places that Acura has tried to keep the price down, the ADX’s interior really shines. While obviously on the small side, it offers plenty of interior space compared to its competitors and comes loaded with all the most desirable features. It is a clear step up from more mainstream subcompact SUVs and definitely delivers an upscale experience.
Interior Comfort and Cargo Space
The Acura is small, but no smaller than other options in the subcompact class. It offers plenty of space for four adults to ride quite comfortably. If you’ve ever been in a Honda HR-V, you’ll find the ADX to offer pretty similar levels of interior space. However, the Acura comes equipped with a lot of standard equipment which aims to make that space even more comfortable.
All models come standard with features like dual-zone climate control, a sunroof, and an abundance of soft-touch materials. Top trims have heated and ventilated seats as well as leather upholstery. There are also a number of different interior color schemes to choose from when you customize your ADX, allowing you to make the cabin a more personalized space.
Infotainment and Technology
The ADX comes fitted with a nine-inch infotainment screen on every model, as well as a 10.2-inch digital gauge display. The infotainment system comes with built-in Google functionality as well as Amazon’s Alexa. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also available. An eight-speaker premium sound system is standard, but a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup is optional.
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Acura’s Subcompact Crossover Does Not Prioritize Speed
Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 Acura ADX
The biggest downside to the Acura ADX comes in the form of its performance. While you can’t expect a budget-oriented model to tick every box, you do have to consider that many of its key rivals offer a pretty thrilling experience alongside a plush cabin. If you’re not looking for something particularly sporty, though, then the ADX might still be able to win you over.
Performance Specifications
|
Engine |
1.5-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|
Transmission |
CVT |
|
Horsepower |
190 HP |
|
Torque |
179 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
FWD or AWD |
|
Top Speed |
125 MPH |
The ADX borrows the turbocharged four-banger used in the base Acura Integra, with a slightly different tune delivering 10 fewer horses. While it motivates the Integra from zero to 60 miles per hour in as little as 7.1 seconds, we expect the ADX to be a little slower off the line. MotorTrend was able to make the run in 7.8 seconds. This means it isn’t particularly slow, but it isn’t quick either. The ADX comes standard with front-wheel drive, but you can upgrade to all-wheel drive on all models for an additional $2,000. Acura says the all-wheel-drive system is capable of sending up to 50 percent of the power to the rear, which will definitely be helpful when weather conditions are poor.
The ADX has a well-tuned chassis and steering is incredibly responsive. Should Acura decide to grace us with a more powerful Type S model, we could see this little subcompact competing with top players in the segment. It also comes standard with four drive modes (Snow, Comfort, Normal, and Sport), with a fifth personalized drive mode being available on A-Spec Advance models.
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The 2025 ADX Is Special Because Of Its Value
Rear 3/4 shot of a 2025 Acura ADX
While the ADX may not be setting new standards when it comes to comfort or performance, we still think that it is a really special model. It is the most affordable luxury subcompact SUV on the market, but it doesn’t feel like it was built on a budget. It may not be the most raucous or the most luxurious, but it offers incredible value for money.
Warranties and Maintenance
One way that a brand can bolster the value of their vehicles is through aftermarket support. Warranties and complimentary maintenance plans can give buyers peace of mind and offer them incentives that directly save you money. Acura knows this and offers one of the best warranty plans on the market, alongside a pretty generous maintenance plan.
- Limited Warranty – Four Years or 50,000 Miles
- Powertrain Warranty – Six Years or 70,000 Miles
- Complimentary Maintenance – Two Years or 24,000 Miles
Value is King
In today’s market, it is really hard to find a vehicle that is objectively bad. This is particularly true in the luxury segment, where just about every option on sale delivers a plush cabin filled with modern technology. Consumers have fostered a hyper-competitive environment in which bad cars kind of weed themselves out because nobody really buys them.
What this means is that value for money has become one of the most important factors out there. In this sense, the ADX is primed to be a really successful model. It lowers the entry point to the luxury SUV segment by thousands of dollars, making it more accessible than ever. While doing this, it still manages to deliver in the most important areas which define what a luxury vehicle is. This is what makes it truly special in our eyes.
