New cars: 2010 Acura ZDX

Esquire

Acura’s ZDX “is the Lady Gaga of new cars”: cool, sleek, difficult to classify, and gorgeous in a “time-warped-from-the-future” kind of way. Built on an SUV chassis, it’s “canopied in a daring, all-glass greenhouse”—its front windshield, sunroof, and rear window all seeming to merge into a single surface. Black paneling and hidden door handles complete the seamless effect.

The New York Times

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Surprisingly, this Japanese luxury muscle car was actually designed in America, by a woman—Michelle Christensen. Its natural habitat seems to be “the rugged mountains” of the West, where its SUV base provides climbing power and passengers can gaze in awe out the “expansive windows.” There are just a few problems. For one, the sunroof’s steep pitch means it can only open 10 inches, and—inexplicably—there’s no wiper for the rear hatch window.

Popular Mechanics

The flashy ZDX was obviously conceived prior to the recession and “the industry’s current mood of austerity.” Thank goodness for that—the ZDX “may seem like an indulgence,” but it’s worth every dollar. The 3.7-liter, 305-hp V6 doesn’t bolt out of the gates, but “gets growlier and more forceful as it goes.” This is a car that wants you to step on the gas.