Exclusive: The Acura ADX Won’t Be A Rebadged Honda HR-V

Just recently, Acura revealed that its new small crossover will carry the moniker ADX, fitting in nicely with the rest of the lineup that currently includes the RDX, MDX, and ZDX (the latter of which is used for illustration purposes in this article). Acura has officially said very little about the ADX, but it was presumed it would be based entirely on the Honda HR-V and geared to compete with models like the Volkswagen Toas and Buick Envista.

Now, however, an anonymous source has revealed that under the skin, the ADX will actually be a mechanical clone of the Acura Integra. It will still be related to the HR-V indirectly, since the same platform is shared. It won’t have the 320-horsepower 2.0-liter engine that powers the Integra Type S at launch, but it will have the 200-horsepower 1.5-liter engine, which will be more than enough for a solid starting point.

The Acura ADX: Much Different Than Expected

(note: Acura ZDX EV shown here)

With little to go on in terms of what to expect from the new Acura ADX, our anonymous source has shed the proverbial light on some very interesting information. Outside of the 200-horsepower turbocharged engine, TopSpeed has also learned that it will be available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, however, we’ve been told that it won’t be offered with Acura’s SH-AWD system.

It will, however, feature a panoramic roof, and it could be visually similar, albeit it with some changes, to the ZDX electric crossover (used for illustration in this article). Our source wasn’t willing to share further information, but with it being a mechanical clone to the Integra, we can assume that it will share the same underpinnings, including the suspension, brakes, and steering, which should make for some pretty dynamic handling.

Acura Integra Performance Specifications

As of now, there’s no word on whether or not Acura will launch an ADX Type S, but it’s easy to assume that it’s largely possible since the ADX is based on the Integra. No pricing information has been revealed, but we did learn that it will be dropped in the second quarter of 2025, which goes in line with what Acura said when it revealed the name, saying “the first ever Acura ADX will arrive early next year.”

That very same release pointed out that the whole reason behind the ADX is to capitalize on the gateway to new buyers created by the Integra, only this time, the brand will now be able to attract those interested in a crossover. This along with the Acura ZDX will likely be the last all-new crossover from Acura, with Assistant VP of Acura National Sales saying “With the first-ever ADX and all-electric ZDX, the Acura lineup will have SUVs covered from A to Z..”

Top Speed has reached out to Acura for comment, and will update this article with any new developments.