2025 Acura ADX Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Though it shares its general shape with its platform-mate, the Honda HR-V, the new 2025 Acura ADX is all Acura when it comes to styling–even the shape of the “daylight opening” is distinct. The large pentagonal grille filled in with diamond-patterned mesh is familiar from the automaker’s existing lineup and looks especially striking here, paired with the ADX’s diminutive proportions. LED headlights, taillights, daytime running lights (DRLs), and front turn signal lights are all standard, and A-Spec models also get LED fog lights. At the back, the ADX features vent-like creases which pair with the standard hatch-top wing and the wide dual exhaust outlets to lend the little crossover a sporty flair. A midgate spoiler is also available for those who want to take it to the next level.

The new car gets 18-inch wheels come standard, but they’re automatically swapped out for 19-inchers on A-Spec trims. These are Berlina Black with the Advance Package, which also features additional gloss black trim elements, or Shark Gray without it. Acura offers six exterior colors for the ADX, though the base trim is available only in grayscale shades: Solar Silver, Crystal Black or, for an extra fee, Platinum White or Urban Gray. Opting for an A-Spec model unlocks Adriatic Sea Blue and Milano Red, both of which are offered at no additional charge.

The ADX’s interior, too, feels like authentic Acura fare. Our A-Spec Advance tester was outfitted with genuine leather in Red & Ebony, which both looked and felt just as it does in the larger and more expensive Acura SUVs we’ve driven over the years. We liked that the red leather splashed across the dash and door cards and featured generously on the center console and rear seats as well–limiting colored elements to the front seating surfaces can make an interior feel cheap. So can piano black plastic, which unfortunately dominates many a cockpit. The ADX does have some shiny black trim in its cabin, but in many places, these components sport a subtle and welcome texture which hides fingerprints and reduces glare.

Additional color options for A-Spec ADXes include Ebony Black and a blue-and-white combo called “Orchid.” Unfortunately, the spec sheets Acura has shared with us indicate that the more fun interior colors are not available with the non-grayscale exterior colors, and the base trim is limited to the Black interior.

We were aware of the ADX’s pricing heading into our test drive and half expected that Acura would have had to cut corners to make it happen. We were quite pleasantly surprised with the look and feel of the ADX, which truly felt just as premium as we’ve come to expect from any Acura SUV.

The ADX comes standard as a front-wheel drive (FWD) crossover, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is available at every trim level for a reasonable $2,000. Every 2025 ADX is powered by a 1.5-liter VTEC turbo four-cylinder derived from the base Acura Integra’s. It pairs with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and produces 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, which proved adequate for the ADX’s size. It’s far from the most powerful in the class–rivals including the Infiniti QX50, Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, Audi Q3, and BMW X1 all come with larger engines making a minimum of 220 horsepower. The Mercedes and the BMW match the Acura’s best (FWD) fuel economy, too, at an EPA-rated 28 mpg combined, so it’s hard to claim that there’s a tradeoff. That said, the Acura undercuts its rivals substantially in price, and it’s not underpowered. It’s worth noting that the same-sized HR-V gets by with just 158 horsepower. We found the ADX’s power output sufficient for everyday tasks like merging into fast-moving highway traffic and zipping away from a stoplight, and we even managed to have some fun with it on the twisty mountain roads outside San Diego. Since the ADX is Acura’s most accessible SUV, there is—at least for now—no high-performance Type S version.

Drive modes will certainly help owners get what they want to out of the vehicle. Every ADX has at least four–Sport, Normal, Comfort, and Snow–adjusting engine response, steering feel, sound in the cabin, and the color of the gauges. We did find that engine braking, which is programmed into the CVT, was more aggressive in Sport mode than in Comfort, and the simulated gear shifts sounded more satisfying. The Advance Package adds Individual Mode, which lets the driver pick and choose their preferred combination of characteristics: You can select the audible feedback of Sport mode and the calmer coloring that normally accompanies Snow, for example.

Visibility from behind the wheel of the ADX is excellent, even for a petite driver, thanks to the slim A-pillars and adjustability of the driver’s seat relative to the beltline. We also noted that Acura’s noise cancellation measures seem to be effective–we heard very little of the wind or the road even at highway speeds.

If fuel economy is a priority for you, you may want to consider a competitor with a hybrid powertrain. The Lexus NX 350h is rated for 39 miles per gallon combined, even with its standard AWD system, and its power output more or less matches the Acura’s at 189 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. Every model mentioned in this section requires premium fuel.

In keeping with its premium positioning, there is no cloth to be found in the ADX lineup. The base trim comes with leatherette seating surfaces. A-Spec adds microsuede accents, and the Advance Package swaps the leatherette for genuine leather. We liked that it felt supple but not vulnerable–we’d be comfortable opting for the red interior and expecting it to hold up well over time.

The steering wheel is leather-wrapped in every trim, but its sportier, flat-bottomed shape only makes an appearance for A-Spec models. More importantly, a heated steering wheel is only offered with the Advance Package. We found this disappointing, but it’s not unusual for the class: the Mercedes-Benz GLA, for example, makes steering wheel heat optional at the lower end of the lineup.

Interestingly, the ADX’s Mercedes rival provides a front-seat memory function standard but not heated front seats. The ADX follows what we consider to be a more traditional path. Heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat are standard, and both A-Spec trims add front-seat ventilation and power adjustments for the front passenger. Driver’s seat memory enters the picture with the Advance Package.

In the front row of the ADX, the driver and passenger will enjoy more head room and legroom than they would in the Lexus NX, and better legroom than the BMW X1 or Audi Q3. The Acura’s measurements clock in at 38.4 inches for head room and 41.9 for leg room. The panoramic moonroof that comes with A-Spec trims reduces rear seat head room a tad, down to 36.8 inches–with the standard, front-row only moonroof, it’s 38. Rear seat legroom clocks in at 37.7 inches, besting the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Lexus NX. Cargo space measures 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats or 55.1 with them in place, making the Acura more spacious than the Lexus but less so than the BMW. A power tailgate with a walkaway close feature is standard for the ADX, as are dual-zone climate control and dedicated rear-seat vents.

Infotainment is so fundamental to our in-car experience these days that technology offerings can easily make or break an aspiring “premium” vehicle. Acura’s product team seems to know that, and they made sure to check all the high-priority boxes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are wi-fi hotspot capability and a wireless phone charging pad. Every ADX gets the same nine-inch center infotainment screen and 10.2-inch fully digital gauge cluster. We were pleased to find that the center display is a touchscreen: ADX shoppers don’t need to worry about the trackpad which plagues the crossover’s larger siblings! We also noted the physical volume knob with thanks. Bluetooth, two front-row USB-C ports, and an eight-speaker Acura-branded sound system round out the list of standard tech features.

ADX A-Spec models get an additional two USB-C ports at the rear of the center console for back-seat passengers, but that’s the only upgrade–until you look at the Advance Package. This top trim adds Alexa Built-In, Google Built-In, HD Radio, and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The top-of-the-line audio system features Bang & Olufsen’s “beosonic” app, represented through a wheel graphic that can be accessed via the touchscreen menu. It looks a bit like a compass with Bright, Energetic, Warm, and Relaxed in place of the cardinal directions, and it lets the user dial sound in by desired mood or ambiance rather than by fussing with balance, fade, and the equalizer. Audiophiles may prefer to work with the technical terms, but for the rest of us, this is a fun–and, critically, an easy–way to cut to the chase.

Safety and advanced driver-assistance features are nearly all standard on the ADX. The only option is the multi-view camera system, which comes on the A-Spec with the Advance Package. Otherwise, the standard AcuraWatch suite ensures that all ADX owners will benefit from convenience features like adaptive cruise control and traffic-sign recognition as well as passive and active safety features like a blind-spot information system, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control is one of those technologies that’s still new-ish and yet rapidly coming to be seen as a basic requirement. It’s therefore interesting to note that this popular amenity is not standard on the Mercedes GLA or on the BMW X1.

The ADX earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It scored well overall but was rated "Acceptable" rather than "Good" in a handful of categories, including the updated moderate overlap front crash test LATCH system ease of use. The 2025 ADX also earned a five-star Overall Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), that institution's highest marks.

The 2025 Acura ADX starts at $36,350, which includes the mandatory $1,350 destination fee. As we mentioned previously, opportunities to bump the total up include extra-cost paint colors as well as AWD, a $2,000 option at all three trim levels. Our as-tested price for the ADX A-Spec with Advance Package in Urban Gray Pearl with AWD came to $46,890 with destination.

To put this into context, we’ll note that the HR-V, the ADX’s Honda cousin, starts at $30,850, but none of its in-class rivals are available for less than $40k. The Audi Q3 starts at $41,095, the BMW X1 at $42,525, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 at $44,150 (all after destination). The Audi and BMW do feature standard AWD, but the Mercedes makes it optional, just like the Acura.

Some might consider German luxury vehicles a distinct subset of the class, and in that case, it’s tempting to dismiss the price differential. For further context, let’s bring in the Lexus UX, the Lexus NX, and the Infiniti QX50, compact crossovers which also hail from Japan. They start at $37,715, $42,140, and $44,350 respectively, underscoring the Acura’s value proposition. You could even throw in Sweden’s Volvo XC40, at $41,945. While each of these luxury crossovers has its own character, and each automaker has its own set of standard versus optional features, it simply wouldn’t be true to claim that the ADX is actually “worth” several grand less than the others. Its pricing is a game-changer for the class, and we hope it stays that way–we’d love to see rivals adjusting down over the next few years to address this new threat rather than Acura adjusting up to cover costs.